Leipzig want to buy stadium
December 22, 2016
Bundesliga club RB Leipzig have struck a deal with Michael Kölmel, the current owner of the Red Bull Arena, to buy the stadium for an undisclosed sum.
RB's chairman Oliver Mintzlaff hailed the deal a "clear signal to our fans, the location and the city of Leipzig" at a press conference on Thursday.
Leipzig's city council, however, still needs to approve the purchase before it can go ahead. Mintzlaff said he expected a decision by February.
No new home after all
The decision ended months of media speculation that Leipzig might build a new and bigger stadium further away from the city center. Instead, the club now wants to enlarge the Red Bull Arena's capacity from around 42,500 to 57,000 and also extend its hospitality facilities.
Sporting director Ralf Rangnick had already stressed earlier this week that he would like to stay in the Red Bull Arena, which is located in walking distance from Leipzig's main train station.
mrk/dv (dpa, SID)