Planungsgruppe Drahtler built the stadium from 1971 to 1974, and it opened on April 2, 1974, with a capacity of 54,000. It was named Westfalenstadion and has been Signal Iduna Park since December 1, 2005. For the 1974 World Cup it hosted group matches, including Scotland against Zaire, the first World Cup game for a Sub-Saharan African country.
The east and west stands gained a second tier in 1995 to 1999. Four corner stands were added in 2002 and 2003 for the 2006 World Cup, and interior roof supports were replaced by yellow exterior pylons. Architekten Schröder Schulte-Ladbeck led the 2006 expansion, which added a glass front, under-soil heating and four video screens.
League capacity is 81,365, and international capacity is 66,099. The South Stand, the Yellow Wall, holds about 25,000 and is described as the largest terrace for standing spectators in European football. Tours are conducted in English.
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