"Absolutely fantastic," was the reaction of the official FIFA partners who stopped off at the arena as part of the FIFA Venue Tour today. The visiting sponsors and FIFA delegation were welcomed to Gelsenkirchen by the secretary of the Local Organising Committee for the 2006 FIFA World CupTM Peter Peters, FIFA World CupTM ambassador Olaf Thon and by Dr Manfred Beck and Werner Hein of the City of Gelsenkirchen.

"The stadium had a 'wow effect' on the partners during their visit," explained Andreas Kroll, head of the Cities and Stadia department of the 2006 FIFA World CupTM Organising Committee. The delegation was particularly impressed by the multifunctionality of the arena and the high standards set by Europe's most modern stadium. "The partners were also delighted by the presentation by the City of Gelsenkirchen," added Kroll. In it, the city council put forward a programme of fringe events for the 2006 FIFA World CupTM.

Gregor Lentze, managing director of the company FIFA Marketing und TV Deutschland GmbH, also hailed the multipurpose venue. "For our purposes it is a dream arena, where people will be able to watch matches in an atmosphere befitting the World Cup." Lentze also said: "Here in Gelsenkirchen we have a highly professional team with a wealth of experience. For us it is an enormous luxury to be able to draw upon this experience, which has been gained not least by staging the UEFA Champions League Final."

The participants on the Venue Tour were given a detailed insight into the various areas at the arena, including the hospitality amenities, media working areas, general access routes, storage facilities, merchandise outlets and car parking. "The conditions for staging World Cup matches here are superb," said Kroll.

Peter Peters, secretary of the Local OC and a member of the club's managing board, was delighted by the praise. "As the FIFA experts are visiting all 12 World Cup stadia on the Venue Tour, it is naturally very pleasing to receive such an assessment from this authoritative source. It shows us that the Arena and our organisational structure are on the highest level."