On Saturday, 15th August, the newly named ista-Borussia-Park opened its doors to visitors for the first time. This marked the official commencement of the naming partnership between the property services provider ista and the football club Borussia Mönchengladbach. The objective of this collaboration is to develop the stadium complex into a benchmark project for energy efficiency and smart building technology. Parallel to the introduction of the new name, over 50,000 visitors witnessed an international season opening match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Europa League winners Aston Villa.
The long-term collaboration aims to make the operation of a complex stadium facility more energy-efficient. ista will equip the entire area with smart building technology. This will involve the use of digital metering technology and advanced energy management to transparently display energy consumption and to identify and unlock concrete savings potentials. Mr Hagen Lessing, CEO of ista, emphasised that this partnership is about more than just a new name for the stadium. He highlighted that they want to demonstrate how major football events can be combined with the ambition of an energy-efficient and future-proof stadium.
Season Opening as a Framework for New Direction
The opening day offered a comprehensive programme. Hours before kick-off, a remarkable atmosphere already prevailed around the ista-Borussia-Park. Visitors could, for example, measure their shot power at the ista Speed Shot facility or gain a special overview of the stadium grounds from up to 60 metres high during a crane balloon ride. Further activities contributed to the entertainment. Immediately before kick-off, the message of the partnership was also visually staged on the pitch. The club's mascot, Jünter, along with children, teenagers, and match day helpers, gathered to present a large banner featuring the new stadium name. This was accompanied by two large banners bearing the message “Passion unites. For a stadium with a future.” Subsequently, the teams, accompanied by mascots whose places had been raffled off by ista, walked onto the pitch. The match ended with a score of 2 to 1 in favour of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Focus on Technological Development
This season's start has initiated a cooperation lasting at least five years. During this period, the ista-Borussia-Park is intended to serve as a demonstration object to showcase the performance of smart building technology in a complex environment. Mr Lessing expressed confidence regarding the upcoming tasks: “This day was a great start. But now the real work begins, namely making the ista-Borussia-Park fit for the future step by step.” He emphasised that ista will contribute its core competencies, particularly the intelligent use of data, the transparency of energy consumption, and the realisation of concrete savings potentials through smart building technology.
- —Renaming of the stadium to ista-Borussia-Park on 15th August.
- —Commencement of an at least five-year strategic partnership for energy efficiency.
- —ista to equip the stadium complex with smart building technology and energy management systems.
- —Goal is consumption transparency and the realisation of savings potentials.
