Inside

VfL Fanfest proves big hit

More than 20,000 fans flocked to the Allerpark to launch the new season in green and white.

Over 20,000 VfL fans – significantly more than in previous years – enjoyed ideal weather on Sunday at the Allerpark as they celebrated the annual day-long VfL Fanfest to kick off the new campaign with both the men’s and the women’s teams present. Once again, the VfL Kids Day was part of the festivities, and that alone attracted some 1,500 children and young people who enjoyed taking part in the various activities on offer.

Something for all ages

The Volkswagen Arena and the square outside the AOK Stadion played host to acrobatics, magic, fun zones and live music as well as a whole host of food and drink stands. In total, there were over 60 activities and catering stands, primarily aimed at families but with something for everyone. There was also plenty on offer for those who merely wanted to walk through the fan mile at their own pace and take in the VfL atmosphere from a distance. The fan clubs and the city had their own stands, as did e-sports establishments and a number of the club’s partners, who had their own attractions such as goals to shoot at and wheels to spin to win prizes. One of the highlights was the opportunity to have your photo taken with the league trophy in the unique Volkswagen ‘Champions edition’ Eos.

80th anniversary coming up

The main focus of the green-and-white festival was the ten-metre-by-six-metre stage. Hosts Georg Poetzsch and Dirk Wöhler certainly knew how to warm up the crowd before welcoming a string of guests to be interviewed. “It’s great to see what’s going down here and how many people are dedicated VfL dans,” said VfL Wolfsburg e.V. board member Henning Schillmöller, who was there to answer questions along with Dr. Tim Schumacher about the club’s big upcoming anniversary celebrations, which were also launched at the same time as the season was officially opened. “We can all look forward to a fantastic weekend,” the VfL managing director promised.

Heroes on stage

All of the various Wolves and She-Wolves new recruits over the summer were officially presented to the crowd, and while VfL Women then headed straight into the AOK Stadion to take on Union Berlin, their male counterparts – who had just returned from a pair of friendlies on England’s south coast – stayed on at the Fanfest. Autographs, selfies and chats with supporters were the order of the day, with the players mingling with the crowds, as has become customary at these events, ensuring that every fan who queued up and waited had their moment.

The most popular purchases on the day included the shirts celebrating the anniversary, along with the jerseys for the forthcoming season that were also available to buy. It was clear that those who attended the five-hour festival were looking forward to ringing in the club’s 80th birthday, and each and every fan was desperate for the new season to finally get under way.