AC/DC Concert Relocated as Düsseldorf's Open Air Park Opening Delayed

Düsseldorf - The highly anticipated launch of the largest open-air venue in North Rhine-Westphalia, intended to accommodate 80,000 visitors, has encountered setbacks. The concert by rock legends AC/DC, initially scheduled for July 8 at the new Open Air Park, has been moved to a different location.

The event will now take place at the Fortuna Düsseldorf stadium, which is situated nearby. While the date and time remain unchanged, the performance will be held indoors rather than in the open air as originally planned.

Significantly, the presale for tickets to the new Open Air Park had begun in February, despite the fact that the concert had not yet received the necessary approvals. Experts had raised concerns regarding the feasibility of completing the construction of the new event space by the concert date, especially since the city initiated the required public participation process for the project on February 18.

In an announcement, D.LIVE, the city-owned company responsible for the venue, confirmed the postponement of the park's opening by one year, with the premiere now slated for 2026.

AC/DC were set to be the inaugural performers at the Open Air Park, but the reasons for the change in venue have not been disclosed. There has been speculation that the sluggish ticket sales could have influenced this decision, with reports indicating that only about 40,000 of the 80,000 tickets available had been sold as of now. The Merkur Spiel-Arena, where AC/DC will now perform, has a capacity of approximately 66,000, meaning that 14,000 fewer fans will be able to attend.

This is not the first time the Open Air Park has faced delays. Originally, it was expected to open in 2018, with 85,000 tickets sold for a performance by Ed Sheeran. However, that event was canceled due to a lack of necessary permits, as authorities prohibited the removal of 104 trees in the area. Ed Sheeran subsequently held three concerts in Gelsenkirchen instead.

The designated area for the Open Air Park is part of a trade fair parking lot, but the opening has now been postponed once more. Currently, there is still no permit for the concert venue in Düsseldorf. However, D.LIVE has clarified that the relocation of the concert is unrelated to the ongoing planning process for the Open Air Park, according to Michael Brill, managing director of D.LIVE.

For fans who have already purchased tickets, those will remain valid for the new venue. Ticket holders with standing or wheelchair-accessible tickets will receive additional information via email regarding necessary ticket modifications. Fans with 'Golden Circle' tickets (located at the front of the stage) will also be granted access with their original tickets.