SV Werder Bremen have accepted a special invitation just days before the start of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season as the Green-Whites will play a test match against Rot-Weiss Essen on Tuesday 6 August 2013 at 8:15 p.m., which will be the opening of the Stadium Essen arena. The fourth-placed team from last season in Regionalliga West division will play in front of four grandstands for the first time in nearly 20 years. "We are happy that Rot-Weiss invited SV Werder to such a special match. The clubs are connected by a deep fan friendship. I hope that we will see Essen in professional football again soon. The club just belongs there," said Werder management chairman Klaus Filbry.

Werder and Rot-Weiss are connected also by a very special personality. Otto Rehhagel played during his professional career in the 1960s in his hometown with RWE before becoming a coaching legend during his 14 years with Werder. The Rot-Weiss fans explicitly asked for Werder to play at the opening match with the motto for the opening celebrations fitting for both clubs as well - "A tribute to Otto Rehhagel!"