The UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany is in full swing. Twenty-four nations are competing across ten different venues for the coveted trophy. However, behind the glamour of the competition lie complex technical systems.
Industrial valves are used in various parts of the stadium, primarily in systems related to water and energy supply, heating and cooling, and wastewater management.
Rainwater Drainage: Valves control the flow of rainwater to prevent flooding, especially in lower or underground areas of the stadium. The consequences of heavy rain were evident last Tuesday in Dortmund before the match between Turkey and Albania, where water cascaded from the roofs, flowing down stairs and seats.
Field Irrigation: No attractive football match can take place without a well-maintained pitch. The grass must be regularly watered, particularly just before kick-off, to prevent the field from becoming dull. Special valves and regulators control the amount and pressure of water needed for efficient irrigation.
No Valves, No Cold Beer
HVAC Systems: Industrial valves are an essential part of a stadium’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to regulate temperature and air quality. This includes control valves that manage the flow of hot or cold water and steam in heating and cooling systems, crucial for indoor areas such as the boxes, business and press areas, and other facilities in the catacombs.
Catering: What would football be without beer? For many fans, it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable. At the Veltins-Arena on Schalke, the beer doesn't come from a box or keg but through a 5,000-meter long beer pipeline. Beer flows from four cooling centers in the arena's catacombs, where up to 52,000 liters of beer can be stored. From the central line, it reaches the taps and finally the cups of thirsty guests through docking stations. Valves approved for food use are employed in this process.
These specific uses highlight the importance of reliable industrial valves for the efficient and safe operation of a football stadium.
Of the ten host stadiums, nine were already in use during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. New to the list is the arena in Düsseldorf. Other stadiums are in Berlin, Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart. The Allianz Arena in Munich will host a European Championship for the second time in a row, having been a venue for four matches of Euro 2020.
