VELTINS Arena: One Pitch, Two Environments. Consistent Control. 

At VELTINS Arena, Rhenac’s CLS® technology supports turf management as the pitch moves between two environments. 

VELTINS Arena in Gelsenkirchen is a high-pressure venue for professional football as well as major events. Its iconic retractable pitch is the engine of this concept: the natural turf can be moved outside while the arena is transformed for other uses. 

TWO ENVIRONMENTS, ONE STANDARD 

The movement exposes the pitch to two distinct growing environments. Inside, limited sunlight and reduced airflow create additional stress on the surface. Outside, the turf must respond to changing weather, structural shade and fluctuating temperatures. 

Maintaining stable growing conditions therefore requires careful coordination of pitch movement, turf care and an intensive events programme. 

TECHNOLOGY INSPIRED BY BIOLOGY 

FC Schalke 04 selected Rhenac’s patented Complete Light Spectrum® technology as the heartbeat of its broader turf management strategy. CLS® was developed through more than a decade of plant biology research with the Technical University of Munich and replicates the biological characteristics of natural sunlight. 

With CLS®, the team can programme “lighting recipes” for specific turf objectives, whether the priority is rapid recovery, increased density, stimulated germination or improved root growth. Spectrum, intensity and infrared heat are tailored to the desired plant response. In addition, treatment of individual pitch zones can be adapted to the available daylight, turf condition and heating requirements. 

Infrared heating is controlled independently, keeping light and temperature as clearly separate inputs. Sensors monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, temperature and climate, with the data integrated into the control system. 

TECHNOLOGY OVER THE PITCH 

Rhenac developed a customised, fully programmable LED lighting solution for the VELTINS Arena. It integrates infrared heating, sensors and control systems. Two motor-driven bridge structures move above the pitch, each carrying six modules with CLS® LED lighting and infrared emitters. 

Each system can be positioned independently and adjusted in height, covering up to 1,750 m². The elevated arrangement keeps the playing surface clear, allowing routine turf maintenance to continue unhindered beneath the installation. 

OPERATIONAL VALUE 

In a multifunctional arena, the event schedule is central to the venue’s business model, but every changeover reduces the time available for pitch recovery. By bringing light, heat and environmental data into one coordinated process across a total of 20 individually controllable zones, the CLS® system helps Thorsten Petri, Head Groundsman at FC Schalke 04, plan maintenance around events with high precision. 

For venue management, this supports a flexible event model while reducing resource use and manual input, contributing to the arena’s wider sustainability goals. 

GROUNDS TEAM PERSPECTIVE 

“With its customisable light spectrum and independent temperature control, the Rhenac R-BL 3500 is an essential component in achieving turf quality that meets the highest international standards. The lighting concept is supported by Rhenac’s service and research and development teams, helping to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient results.” 
— Thorsten Petri, Head Groundsman, FC Schalke 04

Across wider CLS® applications, the technology has demonstrated that significant improvements in root growth are possible, along with savings of at least 30 per cent in energy, water and fertiliser compared with conventional systems. It also supports a more resilient playing surface and more playable hours. 

IN BRIEF: VELTINS ARENA TURF SYSTEM