Originally designed by architect Werner March and built between 1934-36 for around 42 million Reichsmark, American sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals here at the Olympic Games in 1936. Today, one of the avenues leading to the ground bears the great runner's name. Since 1985, the German Cup Final has been played in the stadium, which received a facelift prior to hosting three games in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

Renovation work began in the summer of 2000. The opening ceremony took place on July 31st 2004.

The reconstruction took place in three main phases.

The lower tier was completely demolished and rebuilt, with a steeper gradient to improve the viewing position.

Work on the upper tier focused on rebuilding the steps, renovating the supporting structure and integrating VIP and catering facilities between the upper and lower tiers. The executive suites on the north side and the suites located to the south side of the stadium are now complete.

The pitch was successfully lowered in summer 2002 and the new grass playing surface made ready for the 2002/2003 Bundesliga season.

Work on the roof began in May 2002. The cantilever roof load-bearing structure is fully in place, extending forward more than 60m, as are the upper and lower roof membranes fixed to the structure.

The installation of 5,000 dimmable fluorescent lamps to create lighting effects between the membranes, and the highly complex PA system, has also been carried out. Where the floodlighting is concerned, in a world first the light emanates as a single brilliant band along the front edge of the roof and has been conceived to avoid dazzling the crowd. The floodlighting on the north side is also operational.

The stadiumnow boasts around 74,500 covered seats, including 5,000 in executive suites and as luxury Business Seats. Previously, only 27,000 seats were covered.

The VIP area has been totally reconstructed with the addition of new tiers housing both suites and individual lounges opening onto reserved seating areas. Following remodelling of four floors under the existing structure, the basic shell of the new VIP area is now complete, and interior masonry work to form the individual suites have been created within the new VIP area.

60,000 of the existing folding seats have been removed and re-installed after reinforcement of the substructure beneath the seating. Guests with access to the reserved lounge seats and the Business Seats enjoy appropriately high standards of comfort and quality.

Features subject to national heritage protection include the façade, stand of honour and Marathon Gate.

The stand of honour, VIP and Business areas and the car parking facilities have been substantially enlarged. The North and South underground car parks including the VIP access areas are now structurally complete and the final security and technical features have been installed.

Modernisation of the stadium Police station and security control centre.

The installation of two giant video screens, measuring 140 and 56 square metres respectively has been carried out.

The extensive main kitchens on the nort and south sides of the stadium have been expanded.

An underground warm-up facility at the Marathon Gate, including a 100m running track and long-jump pit, has reached the completion phase.

Following extensive excavation and below-ground operations, the stadium surrounds on the north side have been restored to their former condition.

Financing:

€196m from the federal government, €46m loan to the Olympiastadion Asset Holding Company mbH, guaranteed by the state of Berlin.