After a long wait, FC Bayern can finally welcome a capacity crowd of 75,000 to the Allianz Arena for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim. President Herbert Hainer has spoken in an interview of his excitement of full stands again.
Interview with Herbert Hainer
Herbert Hainer, the wait is finally over as 75,000 fans can once again watch our home game against Hoffenheim on Saturday inside the Allianz Arena. How does that feel?
Herbert Hainer: “Great, of course! For our fans but also for our team. They’ve really given everything during the pandemic, but I’ve been talking to our players during those months and can assure all our fans that the boys are really happy to be able to play in an emotionally charged Allianz Arena again. That gives them extra motivation because the fans and the atmosphere in the stands is what makes football a unique experience. Fans normally cheer on the players on the pitch. I’m sure the players will be cheering on the fans this time. The excitement within the team for full stands is incredibly great – as it is in the whole club.”
Bayern were celebrating their 120th anniversary the last time they played at home in front of a capacity crowd in March 2020.
The last game in front of a capacity crowd was on 8 March 2020…
Hainer: “I remember our 2-0 win against Augsburg well. That was the day we celebrated our 120th anniversary and was a festival in great spring weather. People have gone through a lot since then. And it feels good we can now finally pick up where we left off back then. It’ll be a festival for us like it was that time against Augsburg, even if the Allianz Arena won’t be sold out against Hoffenheim. That might happen because our season tickets are only valid from the home game against Freiburg. We’ll definitely have a crowd the likes of which we haven’t seen for over a year and a half, and we’re looking forward to that. The fact that tickets from many season ticket holders are still available is also a good chance for many people to make an impromptu decision to come to the stadium.”
So-called 3G+ proof (vaccinated, tested or recovered) is needed to access the Allianz Arena.
Hainer: “Despite all the joy about the return of our fans, people’s health is our top priority. That’s why we at FC Bayern developed an extremely detailed hygiene concept months ago that meets the very highest standards. We adhere to the requirements of the local authorities and government regulations and want to offer our fans the best possible stadium experience. This is currently best achieved with the 3G+ approach. On that, we’re also very happy how well the vaccine bus has been used at our home games so far, and it’ll be on the Esplanade for the sixth time this Saturday. Everybody is longing for the life we had before the pandemic. The fact we can experience emotions together again, side by side in a football stadium, is an extremely joyful step forward. We hope that as many fans as possible will come to the stadium. We want to and will finally all celebrate football fun together again.”
Information:
- All season tickets will be accounted for and sent out after the Hoffenheim match. They will be valid again for the first time for the game against Freiburg.
- Tickets for our UEFA Champions League match against Benfica on 11 November are available in our online ticket shop.
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