- New stadium for Niners planned in Chemnitz city centre
On the outskirts of Chemnitz city center, a new arena for the Bundesliga basketball team, the Niners, is set to be built. The goal is to open the new season there in September 2030, said club manager Steffen Herhold. The costs have not yet been precisely determined, but a two-digit million amount is mentioned. Herhold: "It's not available for 20 million euros." Because it's not just about a modern hall for the Niners, but about a sports and cultural campus with diverse uses. Concerts, theater, and musicals with up to 11,000 visitors are also mentioned.
A site behind an office complex near the Karl-Marx Monument is planned. To pave the way for the project, Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and Mayor Sven Schulze (SPD) have signed a declaration of intent, which includes the exchange of appropriate properties. The next step is a feasibility study, which is expected to be available by mid-next year. In addition to urban planning questions, it will also examine whether a multifunctional hall is economically feasible. The opinions of residents will also be sought via a participation portal.
Kretschmer: Niners are the "team of hearts"
The project itself is to be implemented privately. According to current plans, no state funding is planned for implementation. "If it comes to that, we'll have to talk about it," said Kretschmer. The city hopes that the project will revitalize the center, which is struggling with the announced closure of the Galeria department store. "Urban development spans generations and must be well thought out," emphasized Kretschmer. He spoke of a big step for the future of Chemnitz.
The Niners currently play their home games on the Chemnitz fairgrounds on the outskirts of the city. They have been playing in the Bundesliga since 2020. In spring, they won the Fiba Europe Cup. Kretschmer described the team as "the team of hearts." With the new construction, a modern arena is to be created that also meets future requirements of the basketball Bundesliga and international competition.
The new arena for the Niners, the Bundesliga basketball team, will be located near the Karl-Marx Monument, as mentioned by Mayor Sven Schulze and Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer. BV Chemnitz 99, the Niners' full name, is eagerly anticipating this development, as their current home games are held on the Chemnitz fairgrounds.
