VfL Bochum's stadium is one of those grounds that has never been redeveloped into a bowl of corporate seating, and it shows. The terracing behind the south goal is genuine old-school Bundesliga atmosphere — loud, close to the pitch, and cheap by modern standards. The club's history of yo-yoing between the first and second division is part of its identity, and fans here are attached in a way you rarely see at bigger clubs.
A match at the Ruhrstadion is a good reason to time a Ruhr visit. Check the fixture list before you go — home games against Dortmund or Schalke sell out quickly, but most Bundesliga 2 fixtures have tickets available. The stadium is 20 minutes on foot from the city centre or a short tram ride.