eCLIQ digital access protects fans and employees at a major German stadium

Challenge

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. Thanks to a lockable roof and state-of-the-art heating for an interior area of over 10,000m², this arena can be used for a wide range of events year-round, regardless of the weather.

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.

Key criteria

• Flexible security which would no longer create the problems of lost mechanical keys
• Robust devices which did not protrude from doors and don’t require costly battery changes in the cylinders
• A solution which could easily manage private spaces and make it easy to rent out rooms and other areas

Solution

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. With their chosen 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.  

Authorisations can also be temporarily enabled for contractors, cleaning staff and external event service providers, which streamlines site maintenance and management. 

In addition to the digital security enhancements, eCLIQ’s high degree of flexibility was another big plus: eCLIQ is easy to handle and program as, for example, the power supply and communication with each cylinder take place via the battery-powered key. 

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.

Learn more about eCLIQ.