AC/DC, the legendary Australian hard rock band, is set to open the new Open Air Park Düsseldorf with their highly anticipated concert on July 8, 2025. This premiere event marks a significant moment for the city, aiming to establish Düsseldorf as one of the premier concert venues in Germany.
The new Open Air Park, located at Messeparkplatz P1, is expected to accommodate up to 80,000 attendees, making it one of the largest outdoor concert venues in North Rhine-Westphalia. "The opening of the Open Air Park is a significant step for Düsseldorf as an event city," said Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, stressing the importance of this venue for international events.
Tickets for the AC/DC concert will go on sale on February 7, 2025, starting at 159 Euros, with VIP options costing as much as 545 Euros. Fans are eagerly counting down to this moment, as this concert follows the band’s European tour which began in 2024. With the city hosting one of only three concerts scheduled for Germany, the excitement is palpable.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the opening of the Open Air Park, the planning process hasn't been without controversy. A total of 56 trees are set to be felled to make way for the concert, raising concerns among local environmental groups. "This decision violates existing laws," said members from the local opposition groups, as they mobilize efforts to protest against the deforestation.
City officials, including Planning Officer Cornelia Zuschke, have assured the public of their commitment to environmental protections, stating, "The tree population will decrease from 868 to 812, but this exceeds the original requirement of 765 trees" established by previous regulations. More than 900 signatures have already been collected against the planned tree removals, indicating strong community opposition.
Efforts to protect local wildlife are reportedly underway, with coordinated actions set to close possible nesting sites in the affected trees. "We have insured care concepts for lightly to moderately impaired trees," as noted by the environmental group BUND.
The decision to move forward with the AC/DC concert and subsequent planning for the Open Air Park was spurred by the increasing demand for large outdoor venues, which have become increasingly popular post-pandemic. The city administration contends, "The live entertainment market is witnessing extraordinary demand for open-air spaces, and ensuring accessible venues is pivotal for attracting international artists."
To address anticipated traffic challenges for such large gatherings, event organizers will implement the Event Mobility platform, which aims to efficiently manage visitor logistics to and from the Park. Aimed at mitigating congestion, the service offers personalized travel recommendations via various modes of transport, ensuring smooth access for concertgoers.
While the AC/DC concert is currently the only scheduled event at the Open Air Park, the venue is projected to attract many more performances from top global artists, as it expands the cultural footprint of Düsseldorf. A tourism-driven initiative, this concert seeks not only to enrich local culture but to affirm Düsseldorf's status as a hub for significant artistic endeavors.
With enthusiasm building and differing opinions on the environmental impact, the stage is set both literally and figuratively for what is anticipated to be one of the standout events of 2025. Will this concert not only rock the city of Düsseldorf but also pave the way for future engagements of this scale? Only time will tell as preparations continue for this monumental event.