A closer look at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Football in Munich

Red vs blue: Munich and football

FC Bayern Munich is one of the most famous football teams in the world. Not quite as successful is Munich's second club, TSV 1860 Munich. Nevertheless, the rivalry in the city is huge.

Munich and its teams! Football has a long history in the Bavarian capital: At the beginning of the 20th century TSV 1860 Munich (also known as the “60s”) used to play back in Holzapfelkreuth near the Waldfriedhof woodland cemetery. Meanwhile, FC Bayern was playing in straw hats in Schwabing, not far from Leopoldstrasse. Under Kurt Landauer, who is still the longest serving FCB President, the team found itself the subject of harassment by the National Socialists.

The stadium on Grünwalder Strasse was completed in 1925. It survived the Second World War, an arson attack in 1971 and a windstorm in 1972. In 2012, a 225 kg aircraft bomb was even discovered just 1.5 metres below the grass in the penalty box. The first game under artificial lights took place over 60 years ago, when the team borrowed spotlights from the Bavaria Film company.

The 1972 Olympic Games turned out to be a huge stroke of luck for Munich’s football teams. The Olympic stadium built especially for the Games became the home of FC Bayern for over thirty years – though they did have to put up with a few niggles. A wind that seemed to blow through the stadium but nowhere else left the crowd shivering and swept away journalists’ notes. Nevertheless – but quite rightly – respondents in a survey conducted in 2000 selected the stadium as one of the five most important buildings built in Germany after the Second World War. Real grass has been growing in the Olympic stadium again since May 2017 though it is now only used for small-scale football tournaments.

Roof Climb and Flying Fox

Explore Munich’s Olympiastadion during a roof climb tour and enjoy breathtaking views of Munich's skyline. Read more

In the next ten years, these two footballing meccas will turn 100 and 50 years old respectively. If you feel like reminiscing about the days when pro footballers would tread the pitch here, then it's definitely worth a visit. Regular guided tours of the Olympic Park have been available for a long time.

Although once iconic teams like FC Wacker Munich, Spielvereinigung Unterhaching and TSV 1860 Munich have failed to maintain their former glories, there’s no doubt that football is thriving in Munich! So often repeated that they are practically tradition, FC Bayern’s championship celebrations on Marienplatz attract crowds of over 15,000.

The Allianz Arena can hold up to 75,000 spectators. It is normally lit up in red, the team colour of FC Bayern. On special occasions, however, its 300,000 LEDs are also used to create a wide array of motifs and effects, ranging from rainbow colours to black, red and gold.

Fans can learn more exciting facts all year round with a look behind the scenes: Guided arena tours with insights into the team cabin or the players' tunnel and a visit to the FC Bayern museum are always a special experience. Unlike a classic football museum, that of FC Bayern not only focuses on numerous outstanding exhibits such as trophies, shoes and jerseys of the great Bayern stars of the past and present. The moving and significant moments of the club's history can also be relived emotionally thanks to state-of-the-art presentation techniques.

The Arena Bistro, the Paulaner Fantreff Süd and several kiosks offer a wide range of food and drink.

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photos: istock/ferar, Olympiapark München, Frank Stolle, Dominik Morbitzer, Markus Dlouhy, Fabian Luwig
FC Bayern München
Chinese football fans are standing on the promenade in front of the Allianz Arena in Munich.

FC Bayern München

La Isla Bonita Bayern

Every home game is attended by fans who have travelled from around the world. Three of them explain why.

Every FC Bayern München home game is attended by fans who have travelled from around the world. Three of them explain why.

Massage table in the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Allianz Arena

A look behind the scenes

Experience the unique atmosphere in the players zones and catacombs of the Allianz Arena on an arena tour!

Only the players and coaches are allowed in here: experience the unique atmosphere in the players zones and catacombs of the Allianz Arena on an arena tour!

Three trophies in the Erlebniswelt FC Bayern München.

FC Bayern Museum

Football museum at its best

The FC Bayern Museum gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the successful German record breakers’ story.

An emotional journey: the FC Bayern Museum gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the successful German record breakers’ story.

The Allianz Arena in Munich illuminated in red at sunset.

Allianz Arena

Enjoy world-class football

In the Allianz Arena you can enjoy first-class football and the FC Bayern Museum.

The heart of football in northern Munich: at the Allianz Arena, you can marvel at top-class matches and enjoy the FC Bayern Museum.

A closer look at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Football in Munich

Munich and football

Munich and its teams: the Reds are a global brand, the Blues have already had better days - but the hearts of the people of Munich are still fairly evenly distributed.

Munich and its teams: the Reds are a global brand, the Blues have already had better days - but the hearts of the people of Munich are still fairly evenly distributed.

View of the Neues Rathaus and the towers of the Frauenkirche in Munich.

Neues Rathaus

FC Bayern's favourite balcony

The Neues Rathaus is the home of politics and its balcony is also the place where FC Bayern greet their fans when they've won the championships.

The Neues Rathaus is the home of politics and its balcony is also the place where FC Bayern greet their fans when they've won the championships.

Panoramic view from the Olympiaberg with Olympic Lake, Olympic Tower and the headquarter of BMW in Munich in the background.

Olympiapark

The key to success in 1972

The Olympiapark in the north of Munich is a great example of the successful reuse of an Olympic venue.

The Olympiapark in the north of Munich is a great example of the successful reuse of an Olympic venue. And there is still a lot to do here in terms of sports and culture.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.