Owing to its size, its economic strength and its catchments area, Dortmund is at the heart of the region of Westphalia.

At the same time, Dortmund is a major constituent part of the Ruhr and thus part of a technological, research and cultural landscape second to none in the world. Close economic and institutional links exist between Dortmund and other Ruhr towns but it would be no misnomer to say that Dortmund is the symbol of the technological and social skills extant within the Ruhr.

The increasing orientation towards Europe is a reflection of Dortmund's roots as a member of the Hanseatic League and as an industrial city with an international outlook. Globalisation represents a major challenge to Dortmund's economy. And it is in this respect that the favourable geographical location and transport links, its internationally renowned products and services and - not least - its people's cosmopolitan and hospitable nature will give Dortmund the special strength it will need to hold its own in the fierce competition for business being fought by cities and regions across Europe.

Known nationwide as the Bundesliga’s opera-house, the Westfalenstadion was originally built for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Borussia Dortmund play their home games here in front of what is almost always a sell-out crowd. Some 25,000 of these fans roar on their beloved Borussia from the famous South Stand, renowned for striking fear into the hearts of the visitors.
In November 2001, the decision was taken to join up the four separate stands, thus increasing the seating capacity to around 69,000. Crucially, the new stands will stop above the existing video screens, allowing further ventilation for the pitch. Construction work began in May 2002 with completion projected for late summer 2003.