10 Most Important Football Stadiums in Germany

One of the smaller football stadiums in Germany with a capacity of 30,000, BayArena is big on atmosphere. The distance from the seat furthest from the pitch’s centre is 94 m, so fans can experience football games in exciting proximity. Whether you’re cheering for the home team, the youth squads, the women’s team or the eSports players, BayArena provides a thrilling experience. 

Treat yourself to a pint at the Schwadbud fan pub or take the kids to Soccer School where they can train like the team. Then, stay at one of Germany’s best stadium hotels, the Lindner Hotel, which is built into the north stand of the grounds and comes complete with a sauna and pitch views.  

Not many stadiums can rival the history of Olympiastadion, which played host to the notable 1936 Olympic Summer Games. After decades of renovations, the stadium reopened in 2004 with a total capacity of nearly 75,000 seats and a state-of-the-art LED lighting system and range of video walls.  

Fans flock to see the hometown Hertha BSC play matches, but the stadium is also a popular destination for guided tours, and tourists can choose to focus on architecture, sports or history. Take a look behind the scenes at private training facilities, the stadium technology control centre and the iconic bell tower. 

Cologne has boasted a stadium since 1923, but renovations on the current venue were completed in 2004, allowing fans to get closer to the sporting action than ever before. The most recognisable features of the 50,000-seat stadium are its 4 giant, corner towers that light up in dazzling red and white whenever the home team scores.  

Fans shouldn’t be surprised if Hennes the Goat makes an appearance at FC Cologne games. Goats have been a fixture at the stadium since 1951, thanks to a carnival joke. The fans’ commitment is no joke, however, as they regularly sell out games and events. Spectators can enjoy excellent sight lines and plenty of eating and drinking options. 

Opened in 2001, VELTINS-Arena quickly established itself as a premier stadium known for its versatility. Within hours, the stadium can reinvent itself, going from a football stadium to an opera house or boxing arena. Millions of people have seen international headline acts here, such as U2, Bruce Springsteen and Metallica.  

On game days, the arena regularly sells out and hosts more than 62,000 spectators. A state-of-the-art facility that FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter declared a ‘6-star venue’, VELTINS-Arena features a retractable roof that can be closed within 30 minutes, and a field that can be slid outside of the stadium to prevent damage during concerts or other events.  

Signal Iduna Park is Germany’s largest football stadium, with a capacity of more than 81,000. Despite its massive size, tickets can be hard to get because the stadium boasts the highest average attendance of any football stadium in Europe. Fans know it as ‘the temple’, and it is often regaled as a beautiful example of modern architecture. 

This Dortmund stadium has a raucous atmosphere during games, especially at the ‘Yellow Wall’. This standing-only section holds 25,000 fans and is famous for its yellow-clad fans and steep design, which provide an intimidating presence for opposing teams. Take a self-guided tour or opt for a special experience that allows you to meet managers and professionals. 

Deutsche Bank Park opened in 2005, and its convertible-style retractable roof has become its most striking feature. Part of a sports complex located on the southern edge of Frankfurt and bordered by forests, this remote stadium can easily be reached by using Frankfurt’s public transport system.  

The stadium can accommodate 58,000 spectators for football matches and 44,000 for concerts, meaning there’s plenty of capacity for fans of both music and the home team of Eintracht Frankfurt. In the past, the arena has even hosted NFL games. Visitors should check out the Eintracht Frankfurt Museum, which features a vast collection of sporting artefacts.  

Previously known as the Mercedes-Benz Arena until the summer of 2023, the MHP Arena is the sixth largest stadium in Germany with a capacity of over 60,000. Its impressive fabric roof is built with a custom-coated, translucent polyester membrane that’s extremely durable and gives the stadium a sunny and bright atmosphere.   

The stadium has hosted several important FIFA and UEFA matches over the years, and was even once used for baseball by American troops in 1945 to 1949. Football aside, fans can also enjoy concerts from famous artists such as Pink and Teddy Teclebrhan, as well as exciting behind the scenes tours with an expert guide.