Cheerleaders greet Taylor Swift fans at German city train station

Taylor Swift will be giving the first of seven concerts on the Eras Tour in Germany on Wednesday evening. Around 60,000 fans are expected at the Veltins Arena in the western part of Gelsenkirchen.

The industrial city is one of the lesser-known stops on the pop icon’s hugely successful world tour, but local authorities are making every effort to welcome the crowds of visitors and create a party atmosphere.

Gelsenkirchen has booked cheerleaders to welcome the Swifties at the main station. The regional transport association is increasing its service: on the three concert days, twelve additional trains will run, and after each concert, 40 trains will leave the main station.

In addition, a shuttle bus service is offered to the Veltins Arena, the home stadium of the Schalke football club.

Since tickets in the USA and Canada are more expensive than in Europe, some Swift fans have flown across the Atlantic. Travel tips for Germany are being exchanged in Facebook groups and other forums.

Gelsenkirchen is expecting around 200,000 fans to attend the three concerts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Gelsenkirchen only has 260,000 inhabitants, but is located in the densely populated Ruhr area.

The first fans were seen outside the arena days before the opening concert. Some also tried in vain to camp on site to secure a particularly good place in the entrance queue, but this practice is prohibited and the officials sent them away.

Starting Wednesday afternoon, the city will host an open-air party called “Taylor Town.” Activities include karaoke, DJs, food vendors, and a walk-in tattoo booth.

Further shows in Germany will take place on July 23rd and 24th in Hamburg and on July 27th and 28th in Munich.