Rising out of the Fröttmaning fields on Munich’s northern edge, Allianz Arena is impossible to mistake for anything else — a glowing, inflated bubble of a stadium that has become as much a symbol of the city as the Frauenkirche or the Marienplatz. It’s been the home of FC Bayern Munich since 2005, and one of Europe’s most-visited football venues for anyone planning a trip to a match, a stadium tour, or simply to see the facade light up after dark.
This guide covers everything: capacity and seating, the meaning behind the arena’s color-changing skin, how to get tickets and take the official tour, and the practical details of parking and public transport for a matchday or museum visit.
Quick Answer
Allianz Arena is FC Bayern Munich’s 75,024-capacity home stadium in Munich, Germany, opened in 2005 and famous for its outer shell of 2,760 illuminated ETFE panels that glow red for Bayern, blue for former co-tenant TSV 1860, and white for Germany internationals. The easiest way to visit is via U-Bahn line U6 to Fröttmaning station, and tickets for matches, the stadium tour, and the FC Bayern Museum are sold through the club’s official ticketing channels.
What Do Allianz Arena’s Colors Mean?
The stadium’s nickname among locals, der Schlauchboot (“the dinghy” or “inflatable boat”), pokes fun at the puffy, air-filled look of its diamond-shaped ETFE cushions. Each of the 2,760 panels is fitted with its own lighting system, letting the entire building change color depending on who’s playing: red for FC Bayern Munich, blue for TSV 1860 Munich during the years the two clubs shared the ground, and white for German national team fixtures.
It was the first stadium in the world built with a full color-changing exterior, a solution architects Herzog & de Meuron devised specifically so two rival Munich clubs could each feel the arena was genuinely “theirs” on their respective matchdays. Today the facade is also lit for special occasions — pink for Bayern’s women’s team, rainbow colors for LGBTQ+ awareness campaigns, and various one-off displays for concerts and civic events.
A Stage for Football’s Biggest Occasions
Allianz Arena has hosted some of the most prestigious matches in world football. Six games were played here during the 2006 FIFA World Cup — for which, due to FIFA’s sponsorship rules, the stadium was temporarily rebranded FIFA WM-Stadion München since Allianz was not an official tournament partner. In 2012 the stadium staged the UEFA Champions League Final, the rare occasion where Bayern Munich competed for European glory on their own pitch.
The arena repeated that feat in May 2025, when Paris Saint-Germain defeated Inter Milan 5–0 in front of 64,327 spectators to claim PSG’s first European Cup. UEFA Euro 2024 brought six matches to Munich, including a round of 16 tie and a semifinal, and the stadium also hosted four games at the pandemic-delayed UEFA Euro 2020. In 2022 and 2024 it staged NFL regular-season games as part of the NFL International Series, underlining how the venue’s scale and infrastructure can accommodate virtually any major event.
Architecture and Engineering
Construction began in October 2002 and the finished building covers 258 metres in length and 227 metres in width, standing 50 metres tall. The outer membrane of independently lit ETFE cushions was a collaboration between Herzog & de Meuron and engineering firm Arup, producing a design unlike anything in world football at the time — and still widely imitated by newer stadiums.
Beneath the stadium sits one of Europe’s largest underground car parks, with space for around 9,800 vehicles. Every one of the 75,024 seats is sheltered by the roof, protecting fans from Bavaria’s variable weather while maintaining clear sight lines throughout the bowl. With a domestic capacity of 75,024, it ranks as the second-largest stadium in Germany, behind only the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund; for UEFA and FIFA fixtures, standing terraces convert to seating and capacity drops to roughly 70,000.
Getting to Allianz Arena
Allianz Arena sits north of central Munich in the Fröttmaning district, and public transport is by far the simplest way to reach it. Take U-Bahn line U6 to the Fröttmaning station — from Marienplatz in the city center the ride takes around 15-16 minutes — then follow the signed walking route across the Fanwelt Esplanade to the stadium, roughly a 15-20 minute walk from the platform. On matchdays, trains run more frequently and extra staff direct the crowds, so allow extra time regardless.
Driving is straightforward too: take the A9 motorway to exit 73 (München-Fröttmaning-Süd) or the A99 to exit 12b (München-Fröttmaning-Nord), both of which feed directly into the stadium’s car parks. Because exact timetables, matchday road closures, and shuttle bus details change by event, always check the official arrival and travel page before you set off.
Parking at Allianz Arena
The stadium sits above one of Europe’s largest underground car parks, with additional surface lots to the north and south. On non-matchdays, visitors to the FC Bayern Museum or Arena Tour typically use the north car park, a short 7-10 minute walk from the entrance; matchday parking follows a different layout, with lots opening several hours before kickoff and closing once the crowds have cleared.
Rates are modest but do change over time and vary between matchdays, non-matchdays, and event days like concerts, so rather than quote figures that go stale, check current parking prices and opening times directly on the official Allianz Arena travel and parking page.
Tickets, Tours & the FC Bayern Museum
Beyond matchdays, Allianz Arena is open to visitors year-round for guided Arena Tours and the adjoining FC Bayern Museum, which sits inside the stadium itself. Tours typically run daily, last around 75 minutes, and take small groups through the dressing rooms, tunnel, and pitch-side areas before or after a walk through the club’s trophy collection and history exhibits in the museum.
Ticket options are generally tiered — a standalone Arena Tour, a standalone Museum ticket, and a discounted combined ticket that covers both, with separate pricing for a more in-depth VIP tour. Because prices, tour languages, and daily schedules are updated seasonally (and tours can sell out or be cancelled entirely on matchdays and event days), book directly through the official Allianz Arena website rather than a resale marketplace, and check the current opening hours page before you travel.
Allianz Arena FAQs
What is the capacity of Allianz Arena?
Allianz Arena holds 75,024 spectators for domestic Bundesliga matches. For international and UEFA competition fixtures, standing areas are converted to seating, reducing capacity to approximately 70,000.
When did Allianz Arena open?
The stadium officially opened on 30 May 2005 with a match between TSV 1860 Munich and 1. FC Nürnberg.
Why do Allianz Arena’s colors change?
Each of the stadium’s 2,760 ETFE facade panels has its own lighting system, letting the whole exterior glow red for FC Bayern Munich, blue for former co-tenant TSV 1860 Munich, or white for Germany national team matches — a design Herzog & de Meuron created so both of the arena’s original tenant clubs would feel it was genuinely their home ground.
How do you get to Allianz Arena without a car?
Take U-Bahn line U6 to the Fröttmaning station, then follow the signed walkway to the stadium — about 15-20 minutes on foot from the platform. It’s the recommended route on matchdays, when road access and parking fill up quickly.
Can you tour Allianz Arena on a non-matchday?
Yes. The stadium runs daily Arena Tours and houses the FC Bayern Museum, with standalone and combined tickets available. Tours can be limited or cancelled around matches and other events, so it’s best to book in advance through the official Allianz Arena website.
What major tournaments has Allianz Arena hosted?
The arena hosted six matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup (played under the temporary name FIFA WM-Stadion München), the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, four matches at UEFA Euro 2020, six matches at UEFA Euro 2024 (including a round of 16 tie and a semifinal), and the 2025 UEFA Champions League Final, where PSG beat Inter Milan 5–0.
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