When FC Bayern’s first friendly ahead of the new season against Olympique Lyon kicks off on 2 August, it will be the first ball that’s been kicked at the Allianz Arena for 55 days. However, the official summer break following the Champions League and UEFA Nations League finals certainly doesn’t mean it’s been quiet at Bayern’s stadium. As well as the big musical premiere in June, when a concert event took place at the Allianz Arena for the first time, a number of structural and organisational improvements have also been made this year to further enhance the stadium experience.
“We’re working tirelessly every day to make sure that after 20 years in existence, the Allianz Arena remains one of the most modern stadiums in Europe,” explained Jürgen Muth, managing director of Münchner Stadion GmbH. “In addition to sustainable business practices, our focus is always on the fans. We have therefore taken our visitors' feedback to heart and done everything we can to make both admission to the stadium and the visit itself more comfortable.”
Here’s an overview of what’s changed ahead of the new season:
Roofing over turnstiles at main entrance
For fans entering the Arena through the south main entrance via the esplanade, large new canopies have been erected at the checkpoints. These not only offer greater comfort in rain or extreme heat, but are also equipped with stadium vision screens to provide those waiting with information about admission in a modern and flexible way. Photovoltaic modules on the roofs ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly operation of the facility.
New season, new turf
The turf, which had been used for a total of 22 football matches since its installation, was removed at the end of the season for the Guns N' Roses concert in June. In the final days of the summer break in late July, a new surface was laid in the stadium, which will be played on for the first time against Lyon.
New Welcome Center on floor 0 and modified car park entrances
Probably the most visible alteration is the new central entrance and reception area, which has been created directly after the entrance (barrier system) on level 0. This ‘Welcome Center’ serves as the central access point for hospitality guests and media representatives who will arrive via car parks P1-P3 in future. Additional lifts have also been installed to provide access from the esplanade to the new Welcome Center.
The former S1 has been renamed P0, as it’s now located outside the security area and is therefore accessible to the public, similar to car parks P1-P3. P0 will continue to be a car park for hospitality guests, but will be accessed via a new entrance at car park P1. As is already the case in car parks P1-P3, licence plate recognition will now also be used for access to facilities S0 and P0. As part of this, new LED signage has been installed in the bypass to ensure improved signage.
| Tips for entering and exiting car parks | |
|---|---|
| Arriving from the north (via the A99) | Use the upper approach → This will save you having to turn around later if you want to drive north again after parking. |
| Arriving from the south (via the A9) | Use the lower approach → The lower approach leads directly in the right direction, allowing you to turn south again later without having to make unnecessary turns. |
| Important advice |
Please use the recommended approach in order to exit without turning and proceed directly in the desired direction. This minimises traffic on the bypass and helps all visitors get home faster. |
Greater sustainability: Heat pumps and starting point for lorry charging park
In July, 12 more Viessmann heat pumps were installed at the Allianz Arena. These energy-related alterations have already been going on since spring and are due to be complete in 2026. With the deployment of heat pump technology, the Allianz Arena Allianz Arena München Stadion GmbH is pursuing the aim of gradually converting the stadium’s heating and air-conditioning technology into a future-oriented, resource-saving supply.
In addition, another important step towards a more sustainable infrastructure of the Allianz Arena was reached. The construction of the transformer station has laid the foundation for the charging park for electric commercial vehicles in cooperation with partner MAN Truck & Bus.