The MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, with a seating capacity of 66,500, stands as Düsseldorf's largest multi-purpose stadium and the primary venue for the Fortuna football team.
The arena frequently hosts a variety of events, including sports matches and concerts, posing significant challenges for security and access management. Seeking a solution, stadium management company D.LIVE opted to replace their mechanical master key system with a modern, digital alternative.
Transition to digital locking system
The constant changes in event types and service providers often resulted in lost keys, leading to substantial administrative burdens and costs. Given the extensive areas requiring security, a digital locking system was deemed necessary to meet the venue's performance needs effectively.
The new technology had to be resilient, particularly as the stadium sometimes hosts rough football and music events, necessitating robust devices that wouldn't protrude from the doors.
Requirements for enhanced access management
The digital system also had to facilitate the control of various private spaces within the stadium
The digital system also had to facilitate the management of various private spaces within the stadium, such as the Promenade, Merkur Business Club, and east wing boxes, which can accommodate up to 7,000 individuals for diverse events.
A critical requirement for the new system was the ability to grant and rescind access rights individually, which was especially pertinent for external event organisers and operators managing such spaces.
Implementation of innovative digital access
Based on these criteria and their operational experience with other venues, D.LIVE selected the eCLIQ programmable-key locking solution from ASSA ABLOY’s suite of Digital Access Solutions. This system is noted for its security, reliability, and convenience. Approximately 2,500 wireless cylinders and around 1,150 programmable eCLIQ Connect keys have been deployed.
Each keyholder carries an eCLIQ key programmed with specific access authorisations, allowing for the immediate revocation of access rights and blocking of lost keys for added security.
Efficient management of contractor access
An extra layer of security is provided as eCLIQ Connect keys require validation on-site by entering a PIN
"One of the reasons we chose eCLIQ Connect keys was to enable us to grant or revoke authorisations to external organisers and operators via Bluetooth in a rapid and user-friendly way," explains Lukas Angenendt, VEFK & Project Manager Electrical Engineering at D.LIVE.
The intuitive software allows stadium managers to issue temporary access authorisations to contractors and service providers, streamlining site maintenance. An extra layer of security is provided as eCLIQ Connect keys require validation on-site by entering a PIN in the smartphone app.
Digital security and system efficiency
The flexibility of the eCLIQ system was a significant advantage. The power supply and communication occur through the battery-powered key, eliminating the need to change batteries at each door or device.
The maintenance-free cylinders are flush-mounted, reducing the risk of vandalism by offering no surfaces for attack. The wireless installation was completed efficiently in just two weeks, with all doors converted during a period when no events were scheduled at the stadium.
With a capacity of 66,500 spectators, the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA is the largest multi-purpose venue in Düsseldorf and home to the city’s main football team, Fortuna. Regular and constantly changing major events, both matches and concerts, present an ever-evolving security and access challenge.
Stadium managers D.LIVE sought a secure, reliable replacement for their mechanical master key system; comprehensive, flexible security which would no longer create the problems and inconvenience of mechanical keys.
Digital locking system
Due to frequently changing event formats and service providers, keys were often lost, causing considerable administrative work and financial expense.
Due to the large number and size of the areas to be secured, it became clear that only a digital locking system would combine the required performance features in a convenient solution.
Another critical requirement was for robust devices which did not protrude from doors: football and music events can sometimes be a little rough. The technology installed needed to be tough and reliable enough to withstand the odd kick.
Key requirements for the new system
Finally, the solution would also need to simplify the management and rental of multiple private spaces inside the building, including the Promenade, Merkur Business Club and boxes in the east wing. These offer additional space for a total of almost 7,000 people for meetings, press conferences or product presentations.
One of the key requirements for the new system was therefore the ability to grant and revoke access authorisations individually, especially for external event organisers and operators.
Innovative key-based digital access
Based on these requirements and their experience with other local venues, D.LIVE chose the eCLIQ programmable-key locking solution, part of a suite of Digital Access Solutions from ASSA ABLOY, which scores highly on security, reliability and convenience.
Their new eCLIQ key-operated digital access solution has approximately 2,500 wireless cylinders; around 1,150 programmable eCLIQ Connect keys have been issued.
With this solution, every authorised keyholder carries their own eCLIQ key which can be programmed with tailored access authorisations. For added security, access rights can be individually revoked at any time and lost keys can be blocked.
Convenient management of contractor access
“One of the reasons we chose eCLIQ Connect keys was to enable us to grant or revoke authorisations to external organisers and operators via Bluetooth in a rapid and user-friendly way,” says Lukas Angenendt, VEFK & Project Manager Electrical Engineering, D.LIVE.
Powerful, intuitive software makes it easy for stadium managers to issue temporary authorisations for contractors, cleaning staff and external event service providers, which streamlines site maintenance and management. As an additional layer of security, their eCLIQ Connect keys have to be validated on site by entering a PIN code in the smartphone app.
Digital security enhancements
In addition to the digital security enhancements, eCLIQ’s high degree of flexibility was another big plus: eCLIQ is convenient to handle and program as, for example, the power supply and communication with each cylinder take place via the battery-powered key. There’s no need to visit every door or device to replace its battery.
No wiring is required for the very low-maintenance cylinder which is fitted flush to the door and thus offers no attack surface for vandalism. Cable-free installation was also simpler and quicker: only two weeks, when no events were taking place in the stadium, were available for the conversion of all doors.
