"Ikea is coming to Nuremberg": With this announcement, the city and the Swedish furniture giant raised great expectations more than ten years ago. Construction was set to begin in 2018, opening in 2019, with an investment of around 80 million euros and up to 200 new jobs—these were the outlined plans. Today, more than a decade later, none of this has materialized. On the vast plot along Regensburger Straße, instead of a blue furniture store, only yellow DHL containers remain.
The long delay is causing frustration at city hall. "At least the site is being used temporarily, but a development in line with the zoning plan would be far preferable," says Daniel Ulrich, Nuremberg’s planning and construction officer. "An Ikea store at this location would be perfect." However, whether and when it will actually come depends solely on Ikea.
The company itself remains vague. “Ikea acquired the property on Regensburger Straße in 2016 with the goal of strengthening our presence in the region over the long term,” a company spokesperson said upon request. Currently, the focus is on smaller formats such as planning studios and pop-up stores in city centers and metropolitan areas. At the same time, they are continuing to develop location strategies and are exploring various options—including for Nuremberg.
A temporary stadium for FCN on the Ikea site?
The property on Regensburger Straße, which had almost faded from public attention for a time, regained wider focus in December. The trigger was a report by the *Nürnberger Nachrichten* that explored, without regard to actual feasibility, various potential sites for a possible interim stadium for 1. FC Nürnberg. Among the theoretical options mentioned was the Ikea site, should the club need to relocate during the full renovation of the Max‑Morlock‑Stadion. Ikea declined to comment specifically when asked: "We ask for understanding that we do not publicly comment on confidential discussions with potential partners or site providers."
The city also remains cautious in its statements. In principle, any location could be considered for a possible interim stadium—regardless of property ownership. However, at the current planning stage, the question of the site is not yet relevant. "It makes no sense to discuss location issues now without having a fundamental preliminary assessment," says Mayor Christian Vogel.
Decision on alternative stadium not before summer 2026
The Stuttgart-based planning firm asp „Architekten GmbH“ is currently conducting the preliminary planning for the full reconstruction, which also includes an examination of a potential interim operation. The focus regarding the alternative stadium is primarily on fundamental questions such as what type of structure is feasible for a capacity of approximately 25,000 spectators, how much space an alternative stadium would require, and how approval from the DFL would be secured.
In the summer of 2026, the planning office will present its findings to the city council. The council will then decide on the next steps. Only if a proposal including an alternative stadium is approved will the location question be addressed. It is only then that the possibility of involving the Ikea site will come into focus.