FC Bayern Munich
Opened: 2005
Capacity: 75,000
Club establishment: 1900
When you are approaching Munich and you spot the Allianz Arena in the distance, your first impression is that a giant airship is landing in front of you. No wonder – the Munich arena with its capacity of 75,000 is one of the most marvellous and most modern football stadiums in the world.
The journey towards the construction of the Allianz Arena was long. The first requests for a new stadium were presented in 1997, but the construction plans were not approved until October 2001. The cornerstone was set one year later and the stadium was finished in less than three years. Bayern could finally move out of the Olympic Stadium, the club’s home ground from 1972. The main reasons for the construction of this football gem were the 2006 World Cup held in Germany as well as an acquisition of a more modern ground for Bayern Munich.
The Allianz Arena is also used by another football club, TSV 1860 Munich, playing usually in the 2. Bundesliga. The stadium used to be co-owned by both Munich clubs, but shortly after its opening TSV Munich 1860 faced financial difficulties and was forced to sell its share to Bayern, now the exclusive owner of the Allianz Arena. However, the stadium remains to be used by both clubs, which will last at least until 2025 when the contract between Bayern and TSV Munich 1860 terminates.
The stadium is admired around the world for its unique facade formed by 2,670 luminous panels that can be lit with different colours depending on the occasion. The panels turn red when Bayern is about to play a home match but blue during a TSV Munich 1860 match. The stadium can also be lit with the German tricolour and other colour combinations. We can safely say it can be lit with any colour.
As the stadium was owned by both Munich teams, the seats used to have a neutral, grey color. The interior of the Allianz Arena has undergone some changes since Bayern became its only owner. Approximately one-third of the seats are now red and the symbols of the club are depicted on the stands. That is what a proper football stadium should look like.
The grand opening of the stadium took place at the end of May 2005 when Munich 1860 played against Nuremberg (3–2) and the following day Bayern hosted the German national team in a friendly match.
In the first Bundesliga match at the stadium, Bayern played against Borussia Mönchengladbach and their fans were not disappointed, Bayern won 3–0.
In its short history, the stadium has been the venue of a number of spectacular football events, including the World Cup in 2006 and the Champions League Finals. The Allianz Arena is also going to be a part of the delayed Euro 2020, which will be held at 12 stadiums in 12 different countries, as well as of the Euro 2024, hosted solely by Germany.
It comes as no surprise that Bayern Munich matches at the Allianz Arena are almost always sold out. In Germany, football brings fans to the stands more than anywhere else in the world. And what is more, the Allianz Arena is the stadium of Bayern Munich, one of the best, richest, and most prestigious clubs in the world. Every Bayern or Germany national team match fills the 75,000 capacity stadium as a matter of course.
