#How to do an Allianz Arena and Bayern Museum tour

If you know me you know that I am a huge sports fan! Football above it all, but Tennis, Ice Hockey, Cycling, Athletics, you name it! Heck, even Gymnastics, Fencing, or Judo in the Olympic years! 🙂 In our last road trip through Bavaria, Austria, and the Czech Republic we stopped for 2 days in Munich so I had to squeeze a visit to the home of FC Bayern (and TSV 1860 – not anymore), the Allianz Arena.

Allianz Arena facts

This Arena is widely known for its exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels, it was the first stadium in the world with a full color changing exterior! Each panel can be independently lit with white (Germany’s National team), red (FC Bayern), or blue light (TSV). Other colors, multicolored or interchanging lighting schemes are theoretically possible, but Munich Police strongly insists on uni-color only due to several car accidents…

Allianz Arena took 3 years to be built (2002 – 2005) and cost 340 Million Euros. The stadium hosted six 2006 World Cup games, including the opening game (Germany 4-3 Costa Rica) and the semi-final between Portugal and France (0-1). In 2012 Allianz Arena hosted the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern and Chelsea. Chelsea won in the penalties after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes. And in 2020 will host 4 games of the European Championship.

Originally Allianz Arena had a maximum capacity of 66 000 spectators. After the last remodelation, the capacity was increased to 75 000 in internal matches and 70 000 in international ones. Why the difference? In international matches, all spectators have to have seated places, but German fans love to watch the game standing. So, some of the seats are removable. The stadium holds 9,800 parking places in four four-story car parks (the largest in Europe).

Allianz Arena Tour

The tour takes about 60 minutes and it costs 10 Euros. During the tour you will be able to visit places available during games, the middle tier (behind the goal), main stand lower tier, and the promenade/stadium exterior. But also the interior and private places which you only see on TV like press conference area, players’ tunnel, mixed Zone/media area, and even dressing rooms.

We really enjoyed our visit to the stadium and the tour. Although being quite recent, it’s already iconic and considered one of the most beautiful in the world. In terms of architectonic beauty, it’s only second to Bird’s Nest in Beijing.

FC Bayern Munich Museum

Entering the Museum I remembered that FC Bayern 2012/13 (coached by Jupp Heynckes) is the best football team I ever saw. Some people love Brazil of 82, others Guardiola’s and Messi’s Barcelona, I was just amazed by how powerful this Bayern team was. I loved remembering the excellence of their game, and all the goals they scored. If you can’t recall this team, just think of the “Super Barcelona” being smashed 4-0 at Allianz Arena and then 0-3 in Camp Nou, in the Champions League semi-final. Naturally, all cups of this golden season are displayed with particular pride.

The Museum is similar to other football teams museums, displaying the cups won, images and videos of the most famous games/plays. I really liked the way it was presented, showing them organized by eras/dynasties or Bayern Teams. It really presents an homage to each team and champion the club had.

The museum also displays some old football artifacts, like the shoes, balls and jerseys used in the old-time. Even individual trophies won by Bayern legends are displayed! These are very interesting to see for a fan, even if it isn’t an FC Bayern Munich one. The thing I would recommend Bayern is to make the museum more interactive as modern museums tend to be today.

In the end, I loved the FC Bayern experience, although I would love to have attended a match. Shame! Even Claudia who isn’t the biggest a football fan liked it! Therefore traveldrafts definitely recommends this, but particularly those who are into sports tourism!

Have you ever done Sports Tourism? What do you think about combining the two?

For me, it’s the best of two worlds! TRAVEL & SPORTS!! And if you want to include other sports museums on your trips have a look at these 300+ Sports Museums & Sports Halls Of Fame (map included)!

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