Albert-Richter-Velodrom – Track Cycling Centre NRW
Cologne's roofed velodrome and track-cycling performance centre in Müngersdorf – the third track on this site since 1923, named after Albert Richter.
The formerly semi-open track next to the RheinEnergieStadion in Sportpark Müngersdorf is being roofed over and converted into a multifunctional arena. This will make training and competition possible in winter as well.
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Type
- Multifunctional arena with a cycling track; performance centre for track cycling
- Location
- Müngersdorf, Lindenthal borough, next to the German Sport University
- Status
- Under construction
- Spectator capacity (planned)
- 4,000 for cycling, 3,000 for basketball and volleyball
- Gross floor area (planned)
- 21,690 square metres
- Roof
- Steel-tube structure, 110 by 70 metres
The construction costs of the Albert-Richter-Velodrom nearly doubled between planning and December 2023, rising from about 60.4 million to 122.7 million euros.
Albert Richter and the Name
The Cologne cyclist Albert Richter was murdered, presumably by the Gestapo, in Lörrach prison in 1940. In 1932 he won the amateur sprint world championship in Rome. The track in the earlier Radstadion of 1996 already bore his name, thanks to a citizens' initiative. From 2021, cycling fans and local politicians successfully campaigned for the new velodrome to carry it too. The square in front is to be named after Ernst Berliner, Richter's Jewish manager.
From Radstadion to Performance Centre
There have been cycling tracks here since 1923; the new velodrome is the third, following the Radstadion Köln of 1996. In May 2019 the North Rhine-Westphalian state government decided to modernise it extensively and develop it into a track-cycling performance centre. The plans came from the Münster architect Ralph Schürmann. In July 2021 Cologne's city council approved the conversion, which was considered cheaper than a new build.
Construction Timeline
Partial demolition began in July 2022, leaving only the grandstand substructures and a service building. In December 2023 the council decided to press ahead despite costs rising to 122.7 million euros, against an original estimate of around 60 million. Construction began in December 2024, and the foundation stone was laid on 25 May 2025. After further delays, completion is now expected in July 2027. Until then, the NRW training base is using the Sportforum Kaarst-Büttgen, about 40 kilometres away.
Architecture and Future Use
The roof will slope in two directions, with trapezoidal sheeting, insulation and a white membrane covering. The existing building will be extended to house changing rooms, offices of the NRW Cycling Association, hospitality boxes and a hostel across four floors. Lutz Wingerath of Kölner Sportstätten called the venue a "new landmark" for Cologne. Inside, the basketball team RheinStars Köln and the volleyball team DSHS SnowTrex Köln plan to play their home games, as both have long needed a larger hall to compete in the top flight.
Timeline
- 1923First cycling track built at the Müngersdorf site
- 1996Radstadion Köln opens; track named after Albert Richter
- Mai 2019NRW state government decides to modernize it into a performance center
- Juli 2021Cologne city council approves conversion into the NRW cycling center
- Juli 2022Partial demolition of the old stadium begins
- Dezember 2023City council continues project despite costs rising to €122.7 million
- Dezember 2024Construction work begins
- 25. Mai 2025Foundation stone laid
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Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-10-24
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