If you know me, you know that I am a huge sports fan! Football above it all, but Tennis, Ice Hockey, Cycling, Athletics, you name it! Heck, even Gymnastics, Fencing, or Judo in the Olympic years! 🙂 In our last road trip through Bavaria, Austria, and the Czech Republic, we stopped for 2 days in Munich, so I had to squeeze a visit to the home of FC Bayern (and TSV 1860 – not anymore), the Allianz Arena.
Page Contents
Allianz Arena facts
This Arena is widely known for its exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels; it was the first stadium in the world with a completely color-changing exterior! Each panel can be independently lit with white (Germany‘s National team), red (FC Bayern), or blue light (TSV).
Other colors, multicolored or interchanging lighting schemes are theoretically possible, but Munich Police strongly insists on uni-color only due to several car accidents…
Allianz Arena took three years to be built (2002 – 2005) and cost 340 Million Euros. The stadium hosted six 2006 World Cup games, including the opening gamatchGermany 4-3 Costa Rica) and the semi-final between Portugal and France (0-1).
In 2012 Allianz Arena hosted the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern and Chelsea. Chelsea won in the penalties after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes. And in 2020 hosted four games of the European Championship, and it will receive five more in 2024 European, including the opening match.
Originally Allianz Arena had a maximum capacity of 66 000 spectators. After the last remodelation, the capacity was increased to 75 000 in internal matches and 70 000 in international ones. Why the difference?
In international matches, all spectators have to have seated places, but German fans love to watch the game standing. So, some of the seats are removable. The stadium holds 9,800 parking places in four four-story car parks (the largest in Europe).
Allianz Arena Tour
The tour takes about 60 minutes, and it costs 10 Euros. During the tour, you can visit places available during games, the middle tier (behind the goal), the main stand lower tier, and the promenade/stadium exterior. But also the interior and private places which you only see on TV, like the press conference area, players’ tunnel, mixed Zone/media area, and even dressing rooms.
We really enjoyed our visit to the stadium and the tour. Although being relatively recent, it’s already iconic and considered one of the most beautiful in the world. In terms of architectonic beauty, it’s only second to Bird’s Nest in Beijing.
FC Bayern Munich Museum
Entering the Museum, I remembered that FC Bayern 2012/13 (coached by Jupp Heynckes) was the best football team I ever saw. Some people love Brazil 82, others Guardiola’s and Messi’s Barcelona, I was just amazed by how powerful this Bayern team was.
I loved remembering the excellence of their game and all the goals they scored. If you can’t recall this team, just think of the “Super Barcelona” being smashed 4-0 at Allianz Arena and then 0-3 in Camp Nou in the Champions League semi-final.
Naturally, all cups of this golden season are displayed with particular pride.
The Museum is similar to other football teams’ museums, displaying the cups won, images, and videos of the most famous games/plays. I really liked the way it was presented, showing them organized by eras/dynasties or Bayern Teams. It really presents an homage to each team and champions the club had.
The museum also displays some old football artifacts, like the shoes, balls, and jerseys used in the old-time. Even individual trophies won by Bayern legends are displayed! These are very interesting to see for a fan, even if it isn’t an FC Bayern Munich one. I would recommend Bayern to make the museum more interactive as modern museums tend to be today.
Ultimately, I loved the FC Bayern experience, although I would love to have attended a match. Shame! Even Claudia, who isn’t the biggest football fan, liked it! Therefore travel drafts definitely recommend this, but particularly for those who are into sports tourism!
How to go to the Allianz Arena?
The Allianz Arena is located outside the low emission zone in the north of Munich.
Visiting the Allianz Arena by Car
If you are traveling by car, the stadium has an enormous parking space, so you won’t have any problems finding a spot if it isn’t a matchday. There may be traffic on the highways around the stadium, so early travel is also recommended.
On a Matchday, things are entirely different, I would never suggest taking your car there. It’s chaotic. As per Allianz Arena’s official site, it takes up to two hours to empty the park.
Visiting the Allianz Arena using public transportation
Public transportation is the easiest and recommended way to visit the Allianz Arena, particularly on matchday.
To reach the Allianz Arena, you should take the S-Bahn from Munich Main Station or Munich East Station to Marienplatz, a central transfer hub. It should take about 16 minutes to reach Fröttmanning.
You can have a look at the official Allianz Arena site, where they explain thoroughly how to visit the Allianz Arena – by car, bus, metro, bicycle… matchday, non-matchday… It has every possible option.
Have you ever done Sports Tourism? What do you think about combining the two?
For me, it’s the best of two worlds! TRAVEL & SPORTS!! And if you want to include other sports museums on your trips, have a look at these 300+ Sports Museums & Sports Halls Of Fame (map included)!
Great info. I loved visiting the stadium and seeing a game there. Lots of fun!