On May 24, 2025, the VfB Stuttgart soccer team made history – and the whole city joined in the celebration. While the team were winning the DFB Cup in Berlin, more than 50,000 fans turned Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz square into a red and white arena. In the hours before the kick-off, it became clear that this public viewing would be more than just a night of soccer – it was going to be an emotional blockbuster.

The aim was to offer the fans in Stuttgart a watch party that was safe, emotional and technically flawless. VfB Stuttgart appointed POOLgroup as general service provider to deliver overall planning and production of the live screening event as well as the subsequent team party on the following day. It was expected the two events should merge into a seamless whole – organizationally, technically, and atmospherically.

The biggest challenge: Having just four weeks to prepare. Within this short time frame, we had to ensure all plans, permits, and agreements were in place with authorities, sponsors, and service providers. All while simultaneously designing and delivering two major events in the heart of the city.

Schlossplatz hosted two days of events with completely different requirements – from an emotionally charged live public broadcast from Berlin to a victory celebration with a hosted stage show, confetti cannons, and live interviews.

A plan was needed that prioritized safety, infrastructure, and live production and included accurate visitor guidance, clear evacuation routes, and redundant technical systems. The stage, media technology, and infrastructure remained fully operational across both event days, without the need for any structural modifications. A logistical and organizational feat that demanded absolute attention to detail.

As a general service provider, the POOLcrew oversaw all aspects of planning, coordinating, and producing the live screening event and team reception. This included:

• Overall management and project coordination of all technical and infrastructure work.
• Comprehensive technical planning across all trades – lighting, audio, video, rigging, energy and water supply – including coordinating visitor guidance to ensure the event runs smoothly.
• Stage and set design for both the live broadcast and victory celebration.
• Distribution of the incoming signal and redundant transmission systems for maximum resilience.
• Safety, infrastructure, and permit planning – liaising with In.Stuttgart Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH (the municipal event management company), the City of Stuttgart, the police and fire departments, and the VfB Stuttgart soccer team.
• Event production as well as managing the stage and running order over both days of the event.
• 24 hour technical assistance, security monitoring, and live support.

The short lead-in time demanded maximum efficiency, extensive experience, and well-rehearsed workflows. By closely cooperating with all the parties involved, the entire project was completed with maximum precision despite the tight deadlines.

The fans saw Schlossplatz turned into a stadium – with a live broadcast, music, emotion, and goosebumps.
When the final whistle blew in Berlin, the whole place turned into a sea of cheers and chanting.
The excitement continued the next day: the same stage with new technical additions built overnight, the same energy, and finally, the trophy on display.

With just four weeks of planning and preparation, POOLgroup, as the general service provider, delivered two major events with national reach.
The project proved that team spirit, experience, and technical skills facilitate absolute precision even under maximum time pressure.

A weekend in which Stuttgart celebrated – and the POOLcrew ensured that everything ran smoothly.