Local energy company RheinEnergie AG currently holds the naming rights to the stadium, hence it was known as the Stadion Köln for the final.

Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919), the fortifications of Cologne were removed, thus allowing for the building of a new structure in the surrounding area.

This allowed Cologne not only to help stabilize the country but also to gain prestige and economic benefits for the city.

Following the completion of the stadium, the city began to gain prominence in the domestic sports world.

The first international match was held on 20 November 1927, when the Germany national team drew 2–2 with the Netherlands.

In 2005, the stadium was a venue for three first-round games of the FIFA Confederations Cup, including the opening match between Argentina and Tunisia.

The stadium also functioned as the home ground to second-tier Alemannia Aachen in their 2004–05 UEFA Cup campaign.

In July 2004, the RheinEnergieStadion was awarded a bronze medal for distinguished sporting and leisure facilities by the International Olympic Committee.

In 1974, the World Cup was held in West Germany, and Cologne had wanted to be a host city.

The city's bid was approved and it soon began work on a new stadium that was to replace the now outdated Müngersdorfer Stadion.

With the news of the prospect of bringing the World Cup back to Germany, the city reacted and started renovation of the stadium, which was completed in 2003.

Unlike previous configurations, there are no track-and-field facilities, allowing spectators to be much closer to the pitch than they might have been in a traditional continental multi-purpose stadium.