Questions and Answers
Tickets
Where can I buy tickets?
The Gegenbauer Ticket Service, our advance booking office, is located at the Max-Schmeling-Halle. Apart from tickets for the hall events, the office also sells tickets for all major events in Berlin. Just phone the ticket hotline (+49 30 44 30 44 30) or visit our homepage. Under “Program/Event Calendar” you can select an event and order tickets online. The ticket office is open Mon-Fri from 10:00 to 18:00.
Can I order or reserve tickets by phone or online?
You can order tickets for all events in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, the Velodrome and most other events in Berlin from our ticket hotline (+49 30 44 30 44 30) or online (Ticketservice). We reserve your ticket for up to 7 days, after which your reservation will expire. Orders paid by transaction and/or are sent to your address can be placed until 14 days prior to the event date. You can pay by credit card (VISA, American Express, Eurocard). The tickets will posted directly to you via Post (Deutsche Post) for a delivery fee of 4,50 €. Alternatively, you can collect the tickets in person at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
What happens if the event is cancelled, how do I get a refund on my ticket?
The cancellation of an event is decided by the managers of the relevant event. You can claim a refund at the ticket office where you purchased your ticket. We advise you that we are not obliged to refund the advanced booking fee, since the advanced booking service was executed accordingly. You will only be able to claim a full refund of the advanced booking fee, if the fee was insured by the management of the relevant event. The refund will be transferred to your account on presentation of the original ticket.
What happens if the event is postponed and I cannot avail of the new date?
The postponement of an event is also decided by the management of the relevant event. A refund will be transferred onto your bank account upon presentation of your original ticket. We are not obliged to refund the advanced booking fee, as we executed the advanced booking service accordingly.
Getting to
Where is the Velodrom?
The Velodrom is situated in the east of Berlin, right between the trendy district Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain next to S-Bahnhof Landsberger Allee. Detailed directions can be found under Directions.
Where is the main entrance to the Velodrom?
One of the exits at S-Bahnhof Landsberger Allee leads you directly to the main entrance of the Velodrom. The entrance signs at the station are clearly marked as “Velodrome” and cannot be missed.
Where is the closest place to park?
The Velodrome has no private parking space. There are also only limited public parking opportunities available nearby, so we would advise you to use public transport.
Events
Can I bring my camera or video recorder?
The use of cameras and video recorders is generally prohibited by the management of the relevant event. Therefore, any such equipment must be handed over at the admission and can be recollected after the event. We would thus advise you to refrain from bringing your recording devices with you. It is furthermore strictly forbidden to bring animals, weapons or any dangerous objects, such as glass, fire works, sticks or banners. Push-chairs will be stored for the duration of the event by our arena service.
Can I bring my own refreshments into the halls?
It is prohibited to bring your own refreshments into the halls, except for fruit, lunch packages and sweets. Beverages in 0,5 l containers and plastic bottles are admitted. Any other article must be handed over before admission into the hall. Thermal flasks can be stored for the duration of the event by our arena staff. We would advise you to refrain from bringing those to the event. Alcoholic beverages can only be purchased inside the halls; the consumption of other alcoholic drinks as well as the unpermitted sale of goods inside the arena is strictly prohibited.
What catering is offered at the Velodrom?
The 16 catering stands offer a manifold variety of refreshments, such as beer, water, bratwurst and burgers are available for our guests on site.
Which events take place at the hall?
A variety of sport events, shows and concerts take place in the Velodrom. Those events are public; anyone interested can purchase tickets at the ticket centre. In addition, we offer private events in the halls, for instance conferences, business meetings, seminars and trade fairs as well as corporate events (e.g. motivation training, corporate seminars, firm events or product presentations etc.). For those events, only invited guests are admitted. The Velodrom itself is further often used as set for film and photo shootings.
When is the admittance for the event?
The admittance opens 1,5 hours prior to the start of the actual event. The admittance to concerts starting at 20:00 opens from 18:30 onwards. Admission is only granted on presentation of a valid ticket, which loses its validation upon leaving the hall.
For which sport events is the hall used by schools and clubs?
The Velodrom is used by a range of schools and clubs as well as the Landeszentrum and Olympiastützpunkt Berliner Radsport e. V.
Can I smoke inside the halls?
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Velodrom and in all of its side halls.
Is there a Lost and Found office on site?
Our lost property office is called BMZ (Brandmeldezentrale). To reclaim any lost item, please contact our staff wearing t-shirts printed with B.E.S.T. before leaving the event. You can further inquire about any lost item at the firm B.E.S.T. under the phone number: +49 30 44 30 45).
Are there disabled parking spots available?
You can reserve disabled parking spots depending on the capacity of the event. However, we do not guarantee the availability of such spaces. If you inform us in advance for which event the parking spot is required, we can reserve adequate parking space for you. This service is only available for disabled people and wheel chair-bound visitors holding a valid disabled pass. Please contact us under +49 30 44 30 45 or email us: info@velomax.de.
The Velodrom
When did the Velodrom open?
After four years of building the Velodrom was completed in autumn 1997. It first opened in January 1997 for the 86th Berliner 6-Tage-Rennen, its official opening however was only in August of that year.
Who is the architect of the Velodrom?
Dominique Perrault, the architect that had already designed the State Library of Paris, gave the Velodrom its unique facade.
What was located in the area before the Velodrom was built?
Before the Velodrom was built, the Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle was located on the premises. It had also hosted many great sport and cultural events.
How much did the building of the Velodrom cost?
The total costs amounted to approx. 270 Mio. DM. (German Maarks)
Where is the main entrance to the Velodrom?
The main entrance is located next to S-Bahnhof Landsberger Allee. A signposted exit will lead you directly to the main entrance.
Why was the Velodrom built?
The Velodrom, as well as the Max-Schmeling-Halle and several indoor swimming pools, were initially built to host the Olympic Games 2000, which Berlin had hoped to host. When the Olympic Committee decided to hold the event in Sydney instead, the building concepts of the Velodrom and the Max-Schmeling-Halle had to be altered to become a multifunctional arena accommodating many different events.
What is the capacity of the Velodrom?
The capacity of the Velodrom depends on the type of event and its required internal construction. The arena can host events for 700 to 12,000 people at a maximum.
What is the clearance height of the Velodrom?
The Velodrom has a clearance height of 13 m. Further technical details can be found under Technical facts.
Are there any other additional rooms at the Velodrom?
Apart from the main building, the Velodrom has a restaurant, a press and working area, a gallery room of 500 sqm, as well as the Seelenbinder-Halle, which accommodates school and club activities.
Can roller-bladers and car drivers also make use of the cycling track at the Velodrom?
The cycling track was built from sensitive Siberian Spruce and is firmly attached to the ground. For safety reasons it is not permitted to enter the cycling track by car. Its hard shoulder maybe opened to cars and roller-bladers upon prior inspection.
Is the Velodrom wheelchair-friendly?
The Velodrom was built particularly wheelchair-friendly, thus sufficient space for wheelchairs is provided. All catering and restroom facilities are easily accessible for wheelchairs users. If you encounter any problems during an event, please contact a member of the B.E.S.T. staff. They would be delighted to provide you with further assistance.
Are there special reserved seating areas for wheelchair users?
The Velodrom provides sufficient spaces for wheelchair-bound guests. Please inform us in advance on purchase of your ticket if you need avail of this service, so that adequate seating can be arranged.
What type of accommodation is available?
Nearby hotels can be found here, where you can place your online booking.
Velomax Berlin Hallenbetriebs GmbH
What is Velomax?
The name Velomax is a combination of the two halls Velodrom and Max-Schmeling-Halle. The company Velomax Berlin Hallenbetriebs GmbH has been managing these two halls since mid 1997, initially as agency contract, later as rent and operating contract. Together with the Federal Land Berlin Velomax manages the Land-owned halls in form of a Public-Private-Partnership. Velomax is therefore responsible for the economic marketing and letting of both halls. Moreover Velomax is responsible for the maintenance of all buildings and technical equipment. This obligation does not include the maintenance of the indoor swimming-pools in the vicinity of the Velodrom; they are managed by Berliner Bäder-Betriebe.
What services are offered by Velomax?
Velomax offers services in the following areas: customer service and advice, catering for the public area and the VIP area, ticket service (advanced booking service), technical service such as power supply, stage construction and alterations of all kinds, light and sound etc.
Who do I contact if I want to rent the halls?
General information regarding the availability of the halls can be obtained from our disposition department disposition@velomax.de or by calling +49 30 44 30 47 61/62.
Ticket Hotline
+49 30 44304430
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00
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Managed by Velomax – a company of the Gegenbauer Location Management & Services GmbH
Velodrom: Paul-Heyse-Straße 26, 10407 Berlin | www.velodrom.de