Visiting the Allianz Arena
You do not need to be a soccer fan to realize the Bayern is an institution in Germany, and its stadium is a must-see in Munich. With a capacity of up to 75,000 spectators, the architecture is impossible to miss, earning it the nickname Schlauchboot or "inflatable boat." The facade of the Allianz Arena resembles a giant life raft. It is constructed from transparent air cushions made of a highly durable, non-flammable, and recyclable plastic material. The real highlight is watching the Allianz Arena glow bright red during Bayern Munich matches.
An iconic soccer stadium in Germany
The decision to build a new stadium in Munich instead of renovating the old one followed a referendum organized by the city in 2001, which saw over two-thirds of the vote in favor of the project. The famous Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron were selected for the design. They imagined an original structure made of transparent panels that mimic glass and light up in red, white, or blue depending on which team is playing inside.
Originally, the stadium was co-financed by private companies and the teams Bayern and TSV 1860 Munich. The latter eventually withdrew from the project following poor sporting performances.
Exploring the world of Bayern Munich
Visiting the Allianz Arena means getting closer to the history of the legendary club Bayern Munich. Outside of match days, you can tour the facilities, which house the FC Bayern Museum, the FC Bayern Store, and various games and activities for younger fans. The museum recreates the history of the club since 1900. The collection includes over 500 artifacts, images, and photographs, along with replicas of every trophy won by the team.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Home of the most decorated club in Germany, and one of the most successful in Europe.
I agree with Bill's review, the exterior doesn't look that great during the day. It is better in the evening with the lighting. Inside, however, the stands are well-designed, close to the pitch, steep, and imposing. They do light shows that act as a performance. Plus, the atmosphere is cool. I think that on the scale of Germany, Munich is like the southerners, they are the "crazy ones" of the country :)