FC Bayern Munich, together with its partner Allianz Deutschland, will be promoting the issue of inclusion on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Under the motto ‘#PurpleLightUp’, the Allianz Arena will shine in purple for the first time ever on Thursday 3 December, from around 16:30 to 23:00 CET. The German record champions’ home stadium is joining in with a worldwide campaign, whereby buildings and attractions across the globe are being illuminated in this colour to raise awareness of the contribution that people with disabilities make to society and to call for more equal opportunities in all areas of everyday life.
FCB president Herbert Hainer: “Together with our partner Allianz, FC Bayern wants to send out a signal about the rights and concerns of people with disabilities. Football, and sport in general, has the power and the duty to unite all people. There are no barriers for any of us. Our club stands for diversity and inclusion.”
„"Accessibility has been part of our football culture from the start at the FC Bayern stadium. This is an issue we abide by as a club.””
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “Inclusion is not only a responsibility but a matter of course. In the planning of the Allianz Arena, we already took into account the needs of people with disabilities. Accessibility has been part of our football culture from the start at the FC Bayern stadium. This is an issue we abide by as a club.”
In addition to 227 accessible seats for people in wheelchairs, smartphones with subtitle services for people hard of hearing and headphones with commentary for people with visual impairments are available on match days for an unrestricted football experience. Outside of match days, wheelchair accessible tours for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility are also available.
However, barrier-free participation for everyone does not exist in all areas of everyday life – and the special illumination of the Allianz Arena should make the public aware of that. The organiser behind the campaign is the British initiative PurpleSpace, which promotes networking and financial self-determination and participation for disabled employees.
Those interested can gaze at the special illumination of the Allianz Arena on 3 December via the webcam:
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