This year's Audi Summer Tour was brought to a more than successful conclusion with a showcase match against Liverpool. Under the motto "a way to inspire", FC Bayern spent the past nine days in touch with the fans in the two tour destinations of Tokyo and Singapore, experiencing sporting highlights and exciting events with the local residents and making new friendships. fcbayern.com has put together a summary of the highlights of the Asia tour.
Football festival at the Singapore Trophy
At the National Stadium in Singapore, which was almost sold out with 49,983 spectators, the fans witnessed the clash between two international top teams on Wednesday evening. In a thrilling match with a whole host of spectacular goalmouth action, FC Bayern ultimately came out on top with a 4-3 (2-2) victory. Well ahead of kick-off, supporters of both teams celebrated with a large football party all around the arena, where the German record champions were once again represented with numerous stands and activities. There was also a fan march to the match venue.
FC Bayern say "Danke!"
FC Bayern's Audi Summer Tour would have been nothing without the multitude of supporters and fans who gave the German record champions such a warm welcome on their two stops of the Asian tour. After the men from Munich had already thanked the local people in Tokyo with a banner for their support, among other things, Joshua Kimmich and Co. also sent some words of thanks to all FCB followers in Singapore after the final whistle of the match against Liverpool.
Overall positive verdict on the tour
At a get-together with German media representatives on Wednesday, executive vice-chairman Dr Michael Diederich, marketing director Andreas Jung and senior vice-president Prof Dr Dieter Mayer drew an overall positive conclusion of the eighth Audi Summer Tour of the German record champions. It "was a resounding success for us, with all the encounters we were able to have," said Diederich. The trip to Tokyo and Singapore showed how important it was "that German football could once again set out to open up international markets. The Southeast Asian region has terrific dynamism and is a pace-setter. It's important that we keep pace internationally."
Read the other statements here:
Governor's reception and visit to the German Embassy in Tokyo
A great honour for FC Bayern! During their stay in Japan, the German record champions received an invitation from the Governor of Tokyo Prefecture. President Herbert Hainer and vice-president Prof Dr Dieter Mayer presented Yuriko Koike with a jersey during their visit, and the host wished the club a successful stay in Japan. The German record champions were also given a reception at the German Embassy in Tokyo. Herbert Hainer was thrilled by his visit to the German ambassador, Dr Clemens von Goetze, and had nothing but praise for the hospitality of Tokyo and Japan.
Guests of the German ambassador in Singapore
As in Tokyo, FC Bayern representatives had the honour of visiting the German Embassy in Singapore. The ambassador, Dr Norbert Riedel, had extended an invitation to executive vice-chairman Dr Michael Diederich, marketing director Andreas Jung, senior vice-president Prof Dr Dieter Mayer as well as FC Bayern Legend Giovane Élber.
Above the rooftops of Tokyo with Josip Stanišić
Josip Stanišić has been a member of the FC Bayern family for seven years now. At the age of 16, the Munich-born player joined the German record champions' youth academy and progressed through the U17s, U19s and the reserves (U23s) to the senior squad. We caught up with the Croatia international and 2022 World Cup third-place finisher in Japan's capital and chatted about a particularly emotional moment in the car and his goals for the new season.
Successful meeting with fan clubs from all over Asia
Just how great the enthusiasm for FC Bayern is in Asia was evident, among other things, at the fan club meeting in Tokyo. Around 100 representatives of fan clubs from all over Asia met at the "Schmatz Ginza" and celebrated the get-together together with the Bavarian delegation led by Dr Michael Diederich, Prof Dr Dieter Mayer and the two FCB Legends Giovane Élber and Claudio Pizarro. Executive vice-chairman Diederich was extremely enthusiastic about the many Asian fans and promised: "We want to bring what FC Bayern is all about to you from Munich and Bavaria."
Great atmosphere at the Audi Night in Tokyo
In addition to exhausting training sessions and intense friendlies, FC Bayern also had the chance to relax during the Audi Summer Tour. The opportunity to do so was provided, for example, by the German record champions' traditional Audi Night at Tokyo Bay's Bank30.
Exciting Anime Challenge with Sané and Stanišić
It wasn't just on the pitch that Bayern worked up a sweat time and again during the numerous and intensive training sessions. Head coach Thomas Tuchel's side were also challenged off the pitch. One example was the FC Bayern Anime Challenge, in which Leroy Sané and Josip Stanišić went head-to-head. If you want to know how the two of them got on in the cosmos of One Piece, Pokémon or Dragon Ball, just check out this video:
With new signing Konrad Laimer on a culinary tour of discovery
Konrad Laimer joined FC Bayern at the beginning of July and has already settled in nicely in that short time. On the Audi Summer Tour, we met up with the Austria international in a traditional Japanese ramen restaurant and talked about pre-season at FC Bayern and his strengths, among other things.
Globally united: Unveiling of the new away jersey
A very special highlight awaited team and fans alike with the unveiling of the new away jersey for the upcoming season. The black kit from partner adidas features a world map-inspired graphic with pink and green diamonds representing the German record champions’ fan clubs around the globe. The new kit was worn for the first time at the Audi Football Summit against Kawasaki Frontale, which Bayern deservedly won 1-0.
Two editions of the Audi Football Summit in Tokyo
Despite all the impressions and events on the Asia tour, the German record champions' optimal pre-season preparations could not be neglected. In addition to many gruelling training sessions, the Munich team played two high-profile friendlies in Tokyo. The Audi Football Summit kicked off against Manchester City (watch the video highlights) in Tokyo's National Stadium, which immediately set a record: never before had so many fans watched a football match in the 2020 Olympic Games venue (65,049). Three days later, the team played Kawasaki Frontale at the same venue (watch the video highlights). Newcomer Minjae Kim enjoyed an impressive debut for Bayern against the local side.
But that's by no means all the Bavarians experienced on what was their eighth Audi Summer Tour. If you want to find out more about the trip to Asia, the intensive training sessions and all the events, we recommend you check out our content hub with all the news, videos and galleries about the tour:
Topics of this article