Allianz Arena: the complete matchday guide for visiting fans
The Allianz Arena does not sneak up on you. From the U-Bahn window, you see it long before you arrive: a white, red, or blue glowing cushion rising from the flat Munich landscape, depending on who is playing. For a ground that holds 75,000, the approach feels almost calm. No narrow streets, no sudden crowds squeezing through alleys. Just the stadium, the Fröttmaning heath, and the long walkway that lets the scale sink in gradually.
This is a modern arena in the true sense. Opened in 2005, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, it replaced the Olympiastadion as Bayern Munich's home and has hosted World Cup semi-finals, Champions League finals, and Germany internationals. The exterior's 2,760 inflated ETFE panels can shift between colours, though Bayern home matches mean red—deep, saturated, visible from kilometres away on a clear Bavarian evening.
For visiting fans, the Allianz Arena is one of the more straightforward major European grounds to reach. That does not mean you should turn up without a plan. Tickets, transport, and the sheer size of the place all reward preparation.
Home to FC Bayern Munich, this ground sits at the heart of German football culture. Bayern are almost always among the Bundesliga's biggest ticket draws, making their home one of the most sought-after football trips in Germany.
Getting there
The stadium sits north of Munich's city centre, in the Fröttmaning district. The U6 underground line is the main route for fans. From Marienplatz in the city centre, the journey takes roughly 20 minutes. From the main Hauptbahnhof, slightly less. The station is Fröttmaning, the penultimate stop on the U6 line heading north.
Exit the station and follow the crowd. A wide pedestrian bridge crosses the A99 autobahn and leads directly to the arena. The walk takes 10–15 minutes at a normal pace. On matchdays, this bridge becomes a slow-moving river of red shirts. If you want to stop for photos of the exterior, do it on the way in. After the final whistle, the flow moves in one direction only.
Driving is possible but not recommended. The stadium has parking, but matchday traffic around the A99 and A9 motorways can add significant time. If you must drive, arrive early and expect queues to exit. Most locals use public transport, and the U6 runs frequently on matchdays.
For those staying in Munich overnight, the arena is reachable from most central districts within 30–40 minutes door-to-door. The U6 passes through Schwabing, the university quarter, and connects to the main station. Even from the Oktoberfest grounds at Theresienwiese, the journey is direct.
Tickets and access
Bayern Munich matches at the Allianz Arena are rarely straightforward to attend as a neutral or away fan. The club has a membership system that gives priority to season ticket holders and official members. For high-profile fixtures—Der Klassiker against Dortmund, Champions League knockout ties, or the visit of a promoted side with large away followings—available tickets shrink to near zero.
The official source is fcbayern.com. The club releases tickets in waves, often with membership requirements. Prices vary significantly by opposition and competition. Bundesliga matches against smaller clubs offer the best chance for visitors. European nights command premiums.
Away fans are housed in the northeast corner, blocks 340–347 in the upper tier. The section holds approximately 3,000. Away tickets are allocated through the visiting club, not Bayern directly. If you follow a team playing at the Allianz Arena, contact your own club's away ticket scheme well in advance.
The secondary market exists but carries risk. Bayern's official resale platform is the safest option, though availability is sporadic. Unauthorised resale is illegal in Germany and can result in cancelled tickets at the gate. The stadium operates electronic entry. Screenshots or forwarded PDFs often fail.
For stadium tours on non-matchdays, Bayern offers several packages through their museum and tour booking system. These do not require membership and provide access to the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, and pitchside areas. A different experience entirely, but worth considering if you cannot secure match tickets.
The ground and atmosphere
Inside, the Allianz Arena feels vast but not impersonal. The steepness of the stands keeps spectators close to the pitch despite the capacity. The lower tier wraps around the field with minimal gaps. The middle tier houses corporate hospitality. The upper tier, where away fans sit, offers panoramic views but significant distance from the action.
Bayern's Südkurve—blocks 112–118—is the heart of the home support. This is where the ultras gather, where the choreography happens, where the noise concentrates. The opposite end, the Nordkurve, is quieter but still partisan. Visiting fans in the northeast corner can expect a long climb to their seats and a view that takes in the entire stadium bowl.
The atmosphere varies by fixture. Bundesliga matches against mid-table opposition can feel businesslike, especially in early autumn when Bayern are expected to win comfortably. European nights transform the place. The red exterior, the closed roof, the concentrated noise—all combine into something more intense. Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund produces one of the best atmospheres in German football.
If you are planning a wider German football trip, see our Bundesliga away days guide for route ideas and practical advice on combining multiple grounds in a single weekend.
The stadium roof is a key feature. It closes for most matches, creating a partially enclosed environment that traps sound and shields from Munich's unpredictable weather. In winter, this is welcome. In high summer, the interior can become warm despite the air circulation systems.
What to check before travelling
Stadium capacity and operating details can vary by competition, especially when UEFA rules apply. Check Bayern's matchday information before travelling so you have the current entry, bag, and seating guidance for your fixture.
Kick-off times in the Bundesliga are staggered. Friday evening matches start at 20:30. Saturday fixtures spread across 15:30 and 18:30 slots. Sunday games typically begin at 17:30 or 19:30. European fixtures follow UEFA's scheduling. Check the exact time before booking transport—Munich's U-Bahn runs until around 01:00 on weekends, but earlier finishes on weeknights may require alternative planning.
Bag policies are strict. The Allianz Arena operates airport-style security. Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are prohibited. Small bags up to A4 size are permitted but will be searched. Arrive early to clear security queues, particularly for high-profile matches when every entrance sees heavy traffic.
Food and drink inside the stadium are typical for German grounds: bratwurst, pretzels, beer, and soft drinks. Prices are reasonable compared to English Premier League equivalents. Payment is cashless. Card and mobile payment are accepted throughout. Outside the stadium, the Fröttmaning area has limited options. Most fans eat in the city centre before travelling.
Groundhopping around Munich
The Allianz Arena is not Munich's only football ground. The Olympiastadion, Bayern's former home, still hosts 1860 Munich matches and occasional cup fixtures. It sits south of the city, reachable by U3 or U8 to Olympiazentrum. The architecture is entirely different—1960s concrete bowl versus 2000s inflated facade—and worth a visit for groundhoppers wanting both experiences.
TSV 1860 Munich, the city's other traditional club, are another useful option for a Munich football weekend. Their venue and competition level can change, so check the current fixture details before planning a second match. The club's fanbase remains significant despite years away from the top end of German football.
For lower-league groundhopping, Munich has several options within the city limits. FC Bayern Munich II play in the Regionalliga Bayern at the FC Bayern Campus, adjacent to the Allianz Arena. The stadium holds 2,500 and offers a completely different experience—standing terraces, close proximity, and tickets available on the gate.
Further afield, Ingolstadt (FC Ingolstadt 04) lies roughly 80 kilometres north, reachable by regional train. Augsburg, with their compact WWK Arena, sits 60 kilometres west. Nuremberg and their historic Max-Morlock-Stadion are two hours north by train. All three make viable weekend combinations with a Munich base.
Using Footbeen for your trip
The Allianz Arena is one of those grounds where logging the visit afterwards feels essential. The scale, the colour, the result—whether Bayern dominance or a rare upset—deserve proper documentation.
Use the Stadium Map to plot your Munich football itinerary. The map shows the Allianz Arena alongside the Olympiastadion, FC Bayern Campus, and lower-league grounds in the Bavarian capital. Add them to your visited list or wishlist depending on your schedule.
The Travel Planner helps identify reachable fixtures if your dates are flexible. Bayern's schedule is predictable—home matches alternate weekends with away trips—but cup runs and European fixtures can shift dates. The planner surfaces matches within train distance of Munich, including those 1860 Munich fixtures at the Olympiastadion or regional clashes in Ingolstadt and Augsburg.
After the match, log your attendance in Footbeen. Record the score, your seat location, and any notes on the atmosphere or logistics. The Allianz Arena's distinctive architecture photographs well from the approach bridge—add those shots to your match memory. Track your progress through Germany's grounds, or start a new country passport if this is your first Bundesliga experience.
The stadium also appears in several Footbeen challenges. The Top 5 Leagues challenge includes Bundesliga grounds. The Stadium Bucket List features the Allianz Arena among its 25 essential venues. Completing either challenge requires at least one visit here.
Practical summary
Getting there: U6 to Fröttmaning, then 10–15 minute walk across the bridge. Allow 45 minutes from central Munich.
Tickets: Official source only via fcbayern.com. Membership helps. Away tickets through your own club. Secondary market carries risk.
Away section: Northeast corner, blocks 340–347, upper tier. Long climb, good panorama, significant distance from pitch.
Entry: Electronic tickets only. Airport-style security. Small bags only. Arrive early.
Food and drink: Inside—bratwurst, pretzels, beer, cashless only. Outside—limited options at Fröttmaning, eat in city centre before.
Atmosphere: Varies by fixture. European nights and Der Klassiker are exceptional. Routine Bundesliga matches can be more subdued.
Weather: Roof closes for most matches. Interior climate-controlled but can warm up in summer.
Nearby grounds: Olympiastadion (1860 Munich), FC Bayern Campus (Bayern II), plus Ingolstadt, Augsburg, Nuremberg within reach.
The Allianz Arena is not a ground that rewards spontaneity. Tickets require planning. Transport is straightforward but time-consuming. The scale demands preparation. But for football fans who appreciate modern stadium architecture, efficient German organisation, and the occasional glimpse of world-class football, it belongs on any European groundhopping list. Log it properly. The memory deserves it.
Keep reading
Start your football journey
Free · iOS & Android · 1,100,000+ fixtures ready to tap
