Commission approves €75 million German state aid for new stadium in Oldenburg

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, €75 million German State aid for the construction and operation of a stadium in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. With this initiative, the City of Oldenburg aims to offer an attractive venue for professional football matches and other sports, as well as cultural activities. The stadium will stimulate economic activity and support sports, cultural and social activities. The beneficiary is Stadion Oldenburg GmbH & Co. KG, a company 100% owned by the City of Oldenburg. The stadium will be built by a general contractor selected through an EU-wide tender procedure.

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Commission found that the measure is appropriate to achieve the objectives pursued, namely to develop and operate an attractive venue for sports and cultural events in the German city of Oldenburg. In addition, the Commission found that the measure is necessary given the absence of sufficient private financing. Finally, the Commission found that the measure is proportionate, as it is limited to what is required to achieve the project's objectives, while its effects on competition and trade between member states remain limited. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU state aid rules.

The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.122175 in the State Aid Register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

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