Created on 20-11-2008 at 00:00 AM
When Italian side Fiorentina visited the Allianz Arena a few weeks ago, coach Cesare Prandelli praised “one of the best stadiums in the world.” Inter Milan are planning a new ground modelled on the Arena in the suburb of Fröttmaning, and Barcelona are mulling over an Allianz Arena-style illuminated façade for the Camp Nou. In short, Bayern’s home ground has become one of the most-admired venues on the world footballing map.
Saturday’s meeting between the German champions and Energie Cottbus, Bayern’s 740th home game in the Bundesliga, will also feature another milestone, as the total number of paying customers attracted by the country’s most successful club down the years will pass the 30 million mark, a unique achievement and a first for the German top flight.
Fifty-five sell-out crowds
The Allianz Arena has played its part in setting the new record. No fewer than 55 of Bayern’s 57 home games in the league since the stadium opened in May 2005 have been played to capacity crowds. The club’s two remaining home fixtures ahead of the mid-season break are already sold out. “We’re close to 100 percent in terms of ticket sales. We can be very proud of that, and it shows we were right to invest in the Allianz Arena,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge announced at last week’s Annual General Meeting.