Allianz Arena, officially named Fußball Arena München, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Munich, Germany. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of German club Bayern Munich, its owner.
Opened on 30 May 2005 with a friendly match between TSV 1860 München and 1. FC Nürnberg, it replaced the original Munich Olympic Stadium, which had a seating capacity of 69,250. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 75,000, including standing room. The stadium was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and had a construction cost of €340 million.
A UEFA category four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in Europe (the biggest in Germany), Allianz Arena hosted several matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, including the opening match, as well as the 2012 final of the UEFA Champions League. It was selected as the most beautiful stadium of Europe in a 2012 online poll by L'Équipe. By its fifteenth birthday, Allianz Arena had welcomed more than 50 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the 2024 UEFA Euro, which Germany will host.
While the previous Allianz stadium was also officially named 'Allianz Arena', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Allianz. Allianz is the name of the insurance company that financed the stadium, which is located in Munich, Germany. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction due to the significant role Allianz played in its development, the people of Munich used to simply call it Allianz. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Allianz Arena', which is usually anglicized to 'Allianz Stadium'. This name, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Allianz refers not to a geographical location but to the original financier of the stadium: Allianz SE, an insurance company based in Munich.
The Allianz Arena is known for its unique exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels. It is the first stadium in the world with a full color-changing color exterior. The stadium has a seating capacity of 75,000 for international matches and 70,000 for domestic matches. It is the second-largest arena in Germany behind Signal Iduna Park. It is considered a 5-star stadium by UEFA, making it eligible to host finals of major UEFA events.
The Allianz Arena was opened in 2005 and its construction costed approximately €340 million. The stadium has been the venue for numerous high-profile football matches, including the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final. It is the home ground for FC Bayern Munich, and until 2017, it was also home to TSV 1860 Munich.
The Allianz Arena is also known for its advanced facilities, including high-quality dressing rooms, a press conference room, a media lounge, and a club museum. The stadium's infrastructure also includes a parking garage with approximately 9,800 parking spaces, making it one of the most convenient stadiums for fans. The arena also has 106 VIP boxes and business seats for corporate guests.
Apart from football matches, the Allianz Arena also hosts other events such as concerts and public viewings. The stadium's unique design and state-of-the-art facilities have made it a popular venue for both sports and entertainment events. Despite its relatively short history, the Allianz Arena has quickly become one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world.
Allianz Arena is situated in the northern part of Munich, Germany, and enjoys excellent connectivity with the city. Its futuristic design and flexible expansion options make it a unique landmark on the city's skyline. Initially, it was referred to as 'FIFA World Cup Stadium Munich' during the 2006 World Cup.
Allianz's goal was always to possess the stadium and the surrounding lands. Initially, the lands were leased from the city of Munich, and the complete ownership was achieved in 2006. The concept for this spectacular sports complex had been in the works since the late 1990s, under the guidance of Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.
With the support of the club's president, Franz Beckenbauer, the shareholders contributed to the building costs of the new stadium through increased membership fees. There were also significant donations, and it was not uncommon to see fans volunteering on the construction site during weekends or holidays. A 'seat campaign' was initiated where fans had the opportunity to purchase personalised seat plaques.
The construction of Allianz Arena officially began on 21 October 2002. Two and a half years later, and at a cost of €340 million, on 30 May 2005, a crowd of 66,000 spectators filled the stadium for the inaugural match between TSV 1860 Munich and 1. FC Nürnberg.
Allianz Arena (2005): This reference gives an overview of Allianz Arena and its history. https://fcbayern.com
Allianz Arena (The Fortress) – until 2003: This reference provides more detailed information about the Allianz Arena until 2003. http://stadiumdb.com
Das Licht erlischt nicht: A book that gives a detailed account of the history and construction of Allianz Arena. http://primebooks.com
FC Bayern Munich 100 glorious years - The History 1: A comprehensive history of FC Bayern Munich and the Allianz Arena. http://fcbayern.com
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