Schalke Official: Stadium Announcer Beckmann Retires Due to Health Reasons, Will Become Club Ambassador

Schalke 04 have officially announced that the club will adjust its stadium hosting team for home matches in the new season. Due to health reasons, Dirk-Oberschulte-Beckmann, who has served as Schalke 04's home stadium announcer for more than 30 years, will no longer continue his matchday hosting duties.

Dirk-Oberschulte-Beckmann is one of the most iconic voices in Schalke 04 history. Over the past 30 years, he has accompanied the team through home matches with his stadium announcements, witnessing and leaving his mark on many important moments, and has therefore earned the affection of Schalke supporters.

In the eyes of many fans, Dirk-Oberschulte-Beckmann has long been more than just a regular stadium announcer. His voice has become an inseparable part of the matchday atmosphere at Schalke 04 and the Veltins Arena. Therefore, although he will leave the stadium hosting position, the club still hopes he can continue to contribute in the role of a club representative.

Schalke 04 board chairman Matthias Tillmann said of the departure of the legendary announcer: “It is difficult for us to imagine what Schalke and the Veltins Arena would be like without Dirk-Oberschulte-Beckmann's distinctive voice. Like many fans, my memories of ‘my Schalke’ are largely made up of his voice, his relaxed and humorous way of expressing himself, and his unique style.”

“Therefore, on behalf of the board, I would also like to thank him for everything he has done behind the microphone over the years, for his commitment and for his passion for Schalke 04.”

Dirk-Oberschulte-Beckmann himself said: “Schalke, the Veltins Arena and the Parkstadion have long been far more than just a workplace for me. Being involved in matchday activities and accompanying the team with my voice has been a tremendous honour.”

“I will always remember the encounters with many people over the years, those great moments, and especially the fans in the stands. I hope my successors will enjoy this wonderful job, and I believe they will write their own stories together with the supporters. I also look forward to continuing to follow their future development.”

For the new season, Schalke 04 have already confirmed their new stadium hosting team. Kevin Gerwin will join the club as the new stadium announcer and will work together with stadium host and corporate content creator Christina Raser to handle matchday duties.

The club emphasized that the goal of the new team is not simply to find someone to “replace” Dirk-Oberschulte-Beckmann, but to make stadium hosting an important part of the overall matchday experience, while allowing the two hosts to develop and build chemistry as a regular partnership.

Matthias Tillmann said: “Christina and Kevin will take on different roles at the stadium in the future, but they share the same philosophy: staying close to the fans, remaining authentic, reacting quickly, and knowing when the host needs to play a role and when the stadium and the fans themselves should be the main focus.”

Christina Raser will continue to serve as a familiar matchday face and important voice for supporters, mainly handling interactions with fans, guests, and various activities and stories.

Kevin Gerwin will take greater responsibility for key moments during matches, including the announcement of the starting lineup, goals, and important stadium announcements. At these crucial moments, he will need to use his voice, timing, and ability to engage the crowd to bring the atmosphere of the entire Veltins Arena together.

Although the stadium hosting team has changed, Schalke 04 officially stated that one thing will always remain the same — the strongest voice truly belonging to Schalke will continue to come from the approximately 62,000 fans in the stands.