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Schalke Day brings more than 100,000 fans together ahead of Bundesliga return
The sun was shining, temperatures were high and tens of thousands of supporters in Schalke shirts had turned the area around the VELTINS-Arena into a sea of blue and white. Schalke Day on Saturday (8/8) once again showed what makes S04 so special. More than 100,000 Schalke fans came together for the official season-opening event, underlining the huge excitement surrounding the club’s return to the Bundesliga.
From the S04 beer garden am Förderturm and the food stalls along the Tausend-Freunde-Mauer to the Schalker Markt and ERWIN’s play area, the Schalke family was out in force to celebrate the start of the new season together.
Schalke Talk kicks things off
Things got underway on the Schalke Talk stage in the S04 beer garden at exactly 11:04 CEST. The S04 board welcomed the fans in attendance as well as those watching the live stream, while the interviews were also shown on big screens so nobody had to miss out. CEO Matthias Tillmann greeted the crowd and summed up the mood perfectly. “Glück auf, Schalke fans. What a sight. It’s amazing to see so many people here again today. I’m absolutely delighted. This is the perfect way to get ready for the Bundesliga. Looking at this, you’d never think we’d just come up from the 2. Bundesliga.”
Board member Christina Rühl-Hamers was equally impressed by the scenes and stressed the importance of the day for the club as a whole. “I’m so pleased to be up here today. None of this could happen without the huge number of staff members, colleagues, volunteers, partners and service providers working to make it happen. And of course, it also wouldn’t be possible without so many of you being here. A massive thanks to everyone who has made it possible for us to enjoy such a fantastic day.” The pair then discussed the latest topics at Schalke before taking on two fans in a darts quiz. Christina Rühl-Hamers and Schalke supporter Christian proved the more accurate pair and won the contest.
It’s amazing to see so many people here again today. I’m absolutely delighted. This is the perfect way to get ready for the Bundesliga. Looking at this, you’d never think we’d just come up from the 2. Bundesliga.
Inside the first-team set-up
Next on stage were board member for sport Frank Baumann and Jürgen Gerdes, honorary chair of Auf Schalke eG. It was Baumann’s second experience of a Schalke Day and he highlighted the bond between the fans and the club, particularly ahead of a season in which there will be challenges to overcome together. “I was here for my first Schalke Day a year ago. We know the years before that hadn’t been easy. What I saw then gave me a real sense of what makes you special. You’re here in the good times and when things are tougher. That support carried us time and again throughout the season. A huge thank you for that, because we wouldn’t have won promotion without you.”
Fan games also kept the crowd entertained, including a challenge in which supporters had to guess the S04 players’ favourite ice cream flavours. Several players from the women’s first team also stopped by the stage. Together with Boris Liebing, head of administration for women’s football, they invited fans along to the 14:00 CEST friendly against De Graafschap at the Parkstadion.
Director of professional football Youri Mulder and director of scouting and transfers Maximilian Lüftl were next to take to the stage. “I’m a little lost for words when I look around. It’s incredible how many fans have come here to celebrate Schalke Day with us,” said former Schalke player Mulder. “I’ve been watching everything being set up from my office window all week and the anticipation has grown with each day. Schalke Day is always the highlight of pre-season.” The pair also spoke about their day-to-day work on squad planning and shaping the team’s future, with the fans showing their appreciation for the insight with loud applause.
The loudest cheers were reserved for head coach Miron Muslic. He was just as taken by the scenes as he had been the previous year and had a clear message for all S04 supporters. “We are Schalke. We’re humble, grounded and ambitious. We don’t need to be afraid of anyone, and that applies 100% in the Bundesliga as well. Together, we had an incredible season. After two difficult years, every fan could see from day one that we were setting out on a new path, one built on aggression, intensity and courage. That changed our relationship, and you carried us through every game. We need that support again this season. Get stuck in, play your part and we’ll do this together.”
We are Schalke. We’re humble, grounded and ambitious. We don’t need to be afraid of anyone, and that applies 100% in the Bundesliga as well.
A day for the whole Schalke family
Schalke Day was about far more than what happened on stage, with plenty going on for supporters of all ages throughout the day. The three tents set up for autographs were among the biggest attractions, with the first-team players busy signing autographs for the fans.
The youngest Knappen had countless activities to enjoy in ERWIN’s play area, while six youth teams from Gelsenkirchen competed in a mini-match tournament on a training pitch. The main prize was the chance to take to the VELTINS-Arena pitch during the 2026/27 season. The children from the top three teams will also walk out alongside the players ahead of this evening’s friendly against Atalanta.
The popular short tours of the VELTINS-Arena were another highlight for Schalke fans young and old. The route took supporters past the chapel, home dressing room and players’ tunnel before heading into the heart of Schalke’s home. Groups departed every five minutes from 11:04 CEST, with a ticketing system introduced for the first time this year to make the process even smoother. Demand was enormous, and all available places were snapped up shortly after tickets became available.
S04 partners and fan organisations were represented at the Schalker Markt, alongside the club’s supporter liaison team and Schalke hilft!, with support from organisations including Caritas and Sozialwerk St. Georg. Cold drinks and a wide range of food were available along the Tausend-Freunde-Mauer, offering some welcome refreshment in the heat. Anyone in need of a break could also make use of specially created shaded areas in Tunnel 04.
Those unable to be there in person could still follow everything from home, with Schalke’s YouTube channel broadcasting the programme live. Once again, Schalke Day brought the entire Schalke community together, whether around the VELTINS-Arena or watching from the sofa.
Focus shifts to the evening
After a memorable season-opening event, attention now turns to the evening. At 17:00 CEST, the Knappen host Atalanta at the VELTINS-Arena in their penultimate test before competitive action begins. After next Sunday’s (16/8) clash against Real Madrid CF at the VELTINS-Arena, S04 travel to Hallescher FC in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Monday (24/8).
Before kick-off against Atalanta, the Schalke squad for the 2026/27 season will be introduced to the fans before the Schalker Fan-Club Verband (SFCV) presents its 2025/26 Player of the Season award. The day will not end at the final whistle either, with an after-match event featuring DJ Kat Grains and Aperol in the S04 beer garden bringing proceedings to a relaxed close.
One thing is already clear. The Schalke family turned Schalke Day into a huge celebration and came together behind the team ahead of the long-awaited return to the Bundesliga. It was a powerful show of support that gives S04 a welcome boost heading into what promises to be a tough season.
