I'd give at least an hour to get to the stadium from the city centre, and would advise you avoid the 'fan fest' altogether. There's a better atmosphere in bars in the centre of town.

Can recommend a good bar just beside the HauptBahnhof, called Hibernia. They serve Gruben Pils there and the stuff is like amber nectar. The big screen is quite good too.

We had three Gelsenkirchen games, and stayed in Cologne or Dusseldorf for each of them. Would recommend either place ahead of Gelsenkirchen. (Dusseldorf is a little closer to Gelsenkirchen, but isn't a host city.)

Hibernia Brauhaus: Bahnhofsvorplatz 2, Gelsenkircen;
tel: 02 09 20 8531;
www.brauhaus-hibernia.de

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Munster has the Kuhviertel, with loads of different bars and clubs, also for the religiously inclined there are more churches than you can count.

Munster is 50 miles from Gelsenkirchen and there are regular trains services between the both places

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

We all know that you British love to have a good time after the match regardless of whether you win or lose. And we all agree Gelsenkirchen is not the place you want to stay.

Nearest city for having a good time would be Bochum with its 'Bermuda Dreieck' next to the main station. Best city would be Dusseldorf with its famous 'Altstadt' and lots of international people, and lots of Irish Pubs if you don't want to party with us. Cologne will also be a very good place to party but Dusseldorf has got far better local beer. Actually I think Dusseldorf or Cologne will be best because of the airports. I guess it is very likely most of you will depart from either Cologne/Bonn or Dusseldorf airport.

Just my 2 Cents

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I recommend FC Shalke's former stadium in Gelsenkirchen, the Glückauf-Kampfbahn, where I saw the Germany/Sweden match on a giant screen with 20,000 flag-waving locals. Facilities and atmosphere impressive; it is open 11am-1am every day. The city is also opening an English Fan Zone with 80,000 capacity at the "trotting race course".

I suggest staying in Essen - it is very near Gelsenkirchen (around 10 minutes) by tram/bus/train, and an hour's train journey from Cologne.

For more information see fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/d/c/gelsenkirchen.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends