Lanxess-Arena in Köln
Germany's largest event hall: up to 20,000 places, a 7 to 10 minute walk from Köln Messe/Deutz station and one minute from the tram stop Bahnhof Deutz / LANXESS arena.
Photo credits
Ice hockey game about to start in the LANXESS arena, the rink and the tiers seen from the lower ring while fans take their seats: Rasectos · CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answers
- Capacity
- Up to 20,000 (large layout)
- Address
- Willy-Brandt-Platz50679 Köln
- Tram stop
- Bahnhof Deutz / LANXESS arena, 1 min walk
- Train station
- Köln Messe/Deutz, 7 to 10 min walk
- Parking
- P1 garage, 4 min walk; 2 € per hour or 9 € flat
- Bag rule
- Nothing larger than A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)
- Doors
- Usually 1.5 to 2 hours before the start
- Typical concert end
- Around 22:30 to 23:00
- Contact
- 0221 - 8020
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How many people fit in the LANXESS arena?
Up to about 20,000 people fit in the LANXESS arena in the large layout; the small layout holds about 7,500 and the theatre layout about 5,300.
- Large layout
- about 20,000
- Small layout
- about 7,500
- Theatre layout
- about 5,300
The exact number depends on the show: ice hockey has room for 18,800 and handball for 19,403, while concerts with a big stage and a standing floor use the large layout. That makes the arena far larger than the Sporthalle Köln or the Philharmonie.
| Venue or layout | Capacity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LANXESS arena, large layout | about 20,000 | LANXESS arena data sheet |
| LANXESS arena, ice hockey | 18,800 | Wikipedia (de) |
| LANXESS arena, handball | 19,403 | Wikipedia (de) |
| LANXESS arena, small layout | about 7,500 | LANXESS arena data sheet |
| LANXESS arena, theatre layout | about 5,300 | LANXESS arena data sheet |
| Sporthalle Köln | 8,000 | Wikidata, via OpenStreetMap area data |
| Kölner Philharmonie | 2,000 | Wikidata, via OpenStreetMap area data |
| Oper der Stadt Köln | 1,300 | Wikidata, via OpenStreetMap area data |
Seating plan: blocks 100 to 700 and which level to choose
The first digit of a block number tells you the level: 1xx is the floor, 2xx and 3xx the lower ring, 4xx and 5xx the box levels and 6xx and 7xx the two upper tiers.
- Floor (100s)
- Stairs down from the Clubeingang Ost and West; usually standing at big concerts
- Lower ring (200s, 300s)
- From the foyer level, no level change
- Box levels (400s, 500s)
- Lift to level 04 or 05
- Upper tier 1 (600s)
- Escalator to level 06
- Upper tier 2 (700s)
- Stairs from level 06 to level 07
For big concerts the floor (block 100s) is usually standing. The lower ring (200s and 300s) is reached via the foyer level. The first upper tier (600s) is reached by escalator to level 06, and the second upper tier (700s) by stairs from level 06 to level 07. The arena publishes a seat plan for every event on its event page, because stage position and blocks change from show to show.
- Block numbers on your ticket start with the level: look for the digit and follow the signs from the foyer.
- Seats in the floor and in the second upper tier (700s) are only reachable by stairs; wheelchair places are on the foyer level.
- For smaller shows the upper tier can be curtained off, so check the event's seat plan before you pick a block.
- Hostess staff in the foyer help you find your seat.
Food and drinks at the LANXESS arena
There are 33 food and drink stands on two levels, plus bars and two restaurants, and you pay by card: since 1 August 2025 the stands and the cloakrooms take cards only.
The stands sell pizza, bratwurst, burgers and snacks, and the bars serve beer, sparkling wine, cocktails, coffee and cake. The restaurant Henkelmännchen at Willy-Brandt-Platz 2 is open Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 14:00 and on Sunday from 10:30 to 14:30 (brunch), and on selected event days. At Kölner Haie games it opens 1.5 hours before doors. The Backstage Restaurant has up to 600 seats and a buffet, usually booked together with your ticket category; there is no à la carte service.
- Stands inside
- 33 stationary and mobile, on two levels
- Payment
- Card only (Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Visa, V-Pay, EC)
- Cash machine
- Foyer level 03, south, in front of the lifts
- Own food and drinks
- Not allowed; sweets and baby food are the exception
- Medical drinks up to 0.5 l in PET or Tetra Pak are allowed with a doctor's note or a suitable ID.
Bag rules, cloakroom and lockers at the LANXESS arena
Bags, backpacks and tote or gym bags larger than A4 (21 x 29.7 cm) are not allowed in the hall; the cloakroom costs 3 €.
For bags that are too big there is a paid bag drop opposite the Eingang Nord at most events; the organiser of your event can set stricter rules. At Kölner Haie home games the club charges 4 € per bag, from 30 minutes before doors until 60 minutes after the game. Jackets, umbrellas and bags go to the cloakrooms on service level 02: 3 €, or 2 € at Kölner Haie home games. Lockers on level 02 at stairs 7 and 11 are in a test phase and cost 3.50 € (size M, about 2 jackets) or 6.50 € (size L, about 4 jackets), paid by card or phone.
- Bag limit
- A4, 21 x 29.7 cm, incl. tote and gym bags
- Cloakroom
- 3 € (2 € at Kölner Haie home games), level 02
- Lockers
- 3.50 € (M) or 6.50 € (L), cashless
- Umbrellas and sticks
- Not allowed (walking sticks for disabled visitors are)
- Cameras
- Phone photos usually allowed at concerts; professional cameras and interchangeable lenses are banned
- Power banks
- Banned if larger than a smartphone
- Lost property
- Info counter at the Eingang Nord; 0221/802 3344 after the event
Tickets, doors and re-entry
Doors open 1.5 to 2 hours before the start; you buy tickets from the official Ticket-Shop (0221 - 80 20), KölnTicket (0221 - 2801) or the online shop, and tickets cannot be exchanged.
Concerts and shows usually have doors between 17:00 and 18:30 and start between 19:00 and 20:00. Kölner Haie weekday games have doors at 18:00 and start at 19:30; Sunday games start in the afternoon, for example at 16:30 with doors at 15:00. Family and ice shows can start in the morning or afternoon, for example doors at 09:30 and start at 11:00, or doors at 14:00 and start at 15:00. If an event is cancelled you get your money back from the box office where you bought the ticket; if it is postponed the tickets stay valid.
You can still enter after the start. At some events re-entry to the floor is only possible at set times: ask at the info counter at the Eingang Nord whether you need an exit ticket or a stamp if you want to leave and come back. Reduced prices are set by the organiser of each event, and personalised tickets need your ID at the door.
- Doors
- 1.5 to 2 hours before the start
- Official Ticket-Shop
- Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, tel. 0221 - 80 20
- Exchange
- Tickets are excluded from exchange
- Early entry for disabled visitors
- Not possible
Accessibility: wheelchair places and step-free access
The LANXESS arena can be reached step-free and has wheelchair places, with seats for companions, on the foyer level at every event.
From Deutz station a footbridge along Opladener Straße with a gradient under 4 percent leads to the Eingang Nord; from Justinianstraße a ramp of under 4 percent leads to the Eingang Südwest. Reserved places are in the garage P3 (entry height 1.90 m), where two lifts go to the foyer level. The floor and the second upper tier are only reachable by stairs. Wheelchair tickets are not sold online: book them with a companion seat at the Ticket-Shop on 0221 - 8020. Companions are not always free of charge.
- Wheelchair places
- On the foyer level, no level change
- Step-free entrances
- Eingang Nord and Eingang Südwest
- Accessible toilets
- Foyer level 03, at blocks 306, 314 and 315, and at the cloakrooms
- Lifts from P3
- Two, to the foyer level
- Floor and upper tier 2
- Stairs only
- Baby changing
- Foyer level 03, north-west
Minimum age, smoking and house rules
Children and teenagers under 16 may only go to concerts that end after 22:00 with a parent or a person authorised to supervise them; from 16 you can go alone until 24:00.
Under 16, a person who is at least 18 and authorised by the parents (Erziehungsbeauftragte) can accompany you without a time limit; the form is on the arena's website. The organiser of an event can set stricter age limits. Smoking is banned in the whole arena; there is a smoking area outside at the north entrance, where vaping is allowed too. Cannabis is not allowed. Free ear plugs are available at the info counter at the Eingang Nord.
| Age | Without an authorised supervisor | With a parent or authorised supervisor |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | Until 20:00 | No limit |
| 14 and 15 | Until 22:00 | No limit |
| 16 and 17 | Until 24:00 | No limit |
| 18 and older | No limit | Not needed |
- The supervisor has to be an adult and must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Flags need a fire-safety certificate and a wooden pole; many other items are banned, see the arena's list of prohibited items.
Getting to the LANXESS arena: train, tram, bus and from the airport
Take a train to Köln Messe/Deutz station and walk 7 to 10 minutes over the footbridge along Opladener Straße, or ride the tram to Bahnhof Deutz / LANXESS arena, one minute from the entrance.
From Köln Hauptbahnhof the arena recommends the second inner-city ICE terminal, Köln Messe/Deutz: take an S-Bahn or regional train across the Rhine and walk from there. The footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists leads to the Eingang Nord. From Köln Bonn Airport the S-Bahn needs 8 minutes to Messe/Deutz.
On many events your ticket counts as a VRS fare, but only when the VRS logo is on it. The outbound trip can start four hours before the event begins, and the way home has to be finished before the end of service, so think about the end time of your show.
- Taxi stands are at the Gummersbacher Straße below the Eingang Südwest and at the tram stop Bahnhof Deutz / LANXESS arena.
- By bike or e-scooter: park around the arena and on the plateau; there is a Call a Bike station at the arena.
- Köln Bonn Airport is 14 km away, Düsseldorf Airport 57 km.
Parking at the LANXESS arena: garages, walking times and prices
The nearest garage is P1, 4 minutes from the arena; in the arena garages you pay 2 € per hour or the 9 € Arena-Tarif, and a pre-booked event ticket costs 15 € in P1 or 18 € in P4.
The arena garages P1 to P4 are open around the clock and have a maximum entry height of 1.90 m. The Arena-Tarif of 9 € is paid in advance at the machine, lets you leave up to three hours after the event and is only offered at public events. The pre-booked event tickets in P1 and P4 are valid from three hours before until three hours after the event. P3 is reserved for box and premium seat holders, disabled visitors and guests with a VIP parking ticket.
| Garage | Address / entrance | Walk | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 (1,748 spaces) | Opladener Straße, tunnel entrance | 4 min | 2 € per hour or 9 € Arena-Tarif; online event ticket 15 € |
| P2 (266 spaces) | Opladener Straße, tunnel entrance | right at the arena | 2 € per hour or 9 € Arena-Tarif |
| P3 VIP (480 spaces) | Tor 4, Gummersbacher Straße, or tunnel entrance Opladener Straße | inside the arena, lifts to the foyer | Reserved; VIP parking ticket 20 € |
| P4 (309 spaces) | Tor 4, Gummersbacher Straße | right at the arena | 2 € per hour or 9 € Arena-Tarif; online event ticket 18 € |
| P5 car park | Gummersbacher Straße 4 | 3 min | 1 € per 30 minutes, no height limit |
| Parkhaus KölnArcaden | Barcelona-Allee or Vietorstraße | 13 min | Day ticket 4 €, maximum 10 € per day |
- P5 is fully closed at all Kölner Haie games and part or all of the day for some events: check the P5 page for the current list.
- Caravans and camper vans may park at P5; the Reisemobilhafen Köln at An der Schanz costs 12 € per 24 hours.
- Electric cars: six charging points in P1 (level 5) and four in P2 (level 1), type 2 AC.
- The Köln low-emission zone does not stop you: access to the arena is secured for vehicles without a sticker.
Contact and ticket shop
The general number is 0221 - 8020, and the Ticket-Shop is at Willy-Brandt-Platz 3 in Köln.
- General and Ticket-Shop
- 0221 - 8020
- Ticket-Shop address
- Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln
- Restaurant Henkelmännchen
- Willy-Brandt-Platz 2, tel. 0221 - 802 3456
- Groups of 10 or more
- Group service of the arena
About the LANXESS arena in Köln
The LANXESS arena is the largest event hall in Germany. It stands at Willy-Brandt-Platz in Köln-Deutz, on the right bank of the Rhine, next to the Messe/Deutz station and the Koelnmesse exhibition grounds. Big concerts, Kölner Haie ice hockey, handball, comedy nights, shows and ice shows take place here, and the arena is known in Köln as the Henkelmännchen.
It opened in 1998 as the Kölnarena and has carried its current name since June 2008. The hall can be changed a lot: telescopic stands on all sides, a covered ice surface and a curtain that closes off the upper tier let the arena run as a 20,000-seat hall or as a much smaller one.
- Address
- Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln-Deutz
- Official opening
- 17 October 1998
- Former name
- Kölnarena (until 2008)
- Height with arch
- 76 m
Hotels near the LANXESS arena
Hotel Stadtpalais is directly opposite the arena and the Hyatt Regency is about 10 minutes on foot.
The arena recommends partner hotels, some with special rates. The Deutz is 2 stops or 4 minutes away by train, the Maritim is 2 stops away and the Radisson Blu about 1 km.
Directly opposite
Hotel Stadtpalais
About 10 min on foot
Hyatt Regency Köln
2 stops, 4 min
The Deutz (Tribute Portfolio)
About 1 km
Radisson Blu
History of the LANXESS arena
The Kölnarena was opened on 17 October 1998 with a concert by Luciano Pavarotti, after a first soft opening on 11 September 1998. It was designed by the architects Böhm and built on an artificial hill with the Opladener Straße running through it. On 2 June 2008 it became the LANXESS arena. After the pandemic break of 735 days it reopened in March 2022; in 2024 more than 2.4 million guests came to 193 events.
- Opening concert
- Luciano Pavarotti, 17 October 1998
- Renamed
- 2 June 2008
- Nickname
- Henkelmännchen
Photos
Photo credits
Ice hockey game about to start in the LANXESS arena, the rink and the tiers seen from the lower ring while fans take their seats: Rasectos · CC BY-SA 4.0
The empty LANXESS arena seen from the floor, with the blue seating tiers, the LED ring and the upper levels above: Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0
The LANXESS arena in Köln-Deutz with its white steel arch over the roof, seen from a distance above the rooftops: Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Frequently asked questions about the LANXESS arena
How many people fit in the LANXESS arena?
Up to about 20,000 in the large layout; the small layout holds about 7,500 and the theatre layout about 5,300. Ice hockey has room for 18,800 and handball for 19,403.
What time do concerts at the LANXESS arena start and end?
Doors usually open 1.5 to 2 hours before the start, often at 18:00 for a start at 20:00, and some start at 19:00 or 19:15. Concerts usually end around 22:30 or 23:00, after two to two and a half hours of show. Kölner Haie weekday games start at 19:30, Sunday games in the afternoon.
How do I get from Köln Hauptbahnhof to the LANXESS arena?
Take an S-Bahn or regional train across the Rhine to Köln Messe/Deutz and walk 7 to 10 minutes over the footbridge along Opladener Straße.
Which tram, bus and train stops are closest?
The tram stop Bahnhof Deutz / LANXESS arena (lines 3 and 4) is a 1-minute walk, the bus stop Bf Deutz / LANXESS arena (153, 179, 196) 2 minutes, Bf Deutz/Messe (tram 1 and 9) 3 minutes, and the train station Köln Messe/Deutz 7 to 10 minutes.
Where can I park at the LANXESS arena and what does it cost?
P1 is the closest garage, 4 minutes on foot. In the arena garages you pay 2 € per hour or the 9 € Arena-Tarif; a pre-booked event ticket costs 15 € in P1 or 18 € in P4. P5 charges 1 € per 30 minutes and has no height limit.
Is my event ticket also a public transport ticket?
Only if the VRS logo is printed on it. Then it is valid in the VRS network from four hours before the event starts until the end of service on the way home.
What bags are allowed in the LANXESS arena?
Nothing larger than A4 (21 x 29.7 cm), including tote and gym bags. Bigger bags and backpacks have to go to the paid bag drop opposite the Eingang Nord. Umbrellas and sticks are not allowed either.
How much is the cloakroom and are there lockers?
The cloakroom costs 3 €, or 2 € at Kölner Haie home games, on service level 02. Cashless lockers at stairs 7 and 11 cost 3.50 € (size M) or 6.50 € (size L).
Can I bring food and drinks?
No. Food and drinks of any kind are banned; the exceptions are sweets, baby food and medically needed drinks up to 0.5 l in PET or Tetra Pak with a doctor's note.
How old do you have to be to go to a concert in the LANXESS arena?
Under 16 you need a parent or an authorised adult supervisor for concerts that end after 22:00. From 16 you can go alone until 24:00, and the organiser may set a stricter limit.
Are there wheelchair places in the LANXESS arena?
Yes, at every event, with seats for companions, on the foyer level without a level change. Book them by phone at the Ticket-Shop, 0221 - 8020, not online.
Can I pay with cash in the LANXESS arena?
Mostly not: since 1 August 2025 the food stands, the restaurants and the cloakrooms take cards only. A cash machine is on the foyer level 03 in the south.
Where do I find my seat in the LANXESS arena?
Block numbers start with the level: 1xx floor, 2xx and 3xx lower ring from the foyer, 4xx and 5xx box levels by lift, 6xx first upper tier by escalator to level 06, 7xx second upper tier by stairs from level 06.
Can I smoke or take photos in the arena?
Smoking is banned everywhere; there is a smoking area outside at the north. Phone photos are usually allowed at concerts, but professional cameras and interchangeable lenses are not.
Which hotels are close to the LANXESS arena?
Hotel Stadtpalais is directly opposite, the Hyatt Regency is about 10 minutes on foot, and The Deutz is 2 train stops or 4 minutes away.
Sources: LANXESS arena: Daten & Fakten (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: FAQ (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Anreise mit ÖPNV (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Anfahrt mit PKW, Allgemeine Informationen (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Hinweise zum Einlass (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Barrierefreiheit (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Jugendschutz (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Hotels (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Geschichte (November 7, 2026) · LANXESS arena: Kontakt (November 7, 2026)