20 Years of the Allianz Arena – Beacon, Home, Stage

Claudio Pizarro deliberately positioned himself under the sign ‘Stage’ for the exchange of ideas at the opening of the exhibition ‘20 Years of the Allianz Arena’. Yes, that's exactly how it feels, explained the long-time FC Bayern fan favourite, when you play in this stadium: “You feel the fans, you get goosebumps, you want to give them something – and score goals. This stadium is unique.” To mark the anniversary, the FC Bayern Museum is presenting a special exhibition entitled ‘20 Years of the Allianz Arena – Beacon, Home, Stage’, which provides an overview of the history of the spectacular Munich stadium – from its creation to the fans and the people behind the scenes to the sporting highlights.

In his welcome address, president Herbert Hainer acknowledged the historical significance of the Allianz Arena for FC Bayern. “Twenty years ago, the Allianz Arena was a promise,” he said. “A beacon made of concrete, steel, a football pitch in the middle – and of light. It quickly became our home, and it remains the home for emotions, unity and for our identity as FC Bayern. The unique fans give life to the stadium.”

Following a film retrospective, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, honorary president Uli Hoeneß and Jürgen Muth, managing director of the Allianz Arena, exchanged views on the past 20 years in a panel discussion. The discussion was moderated by Stephan Lehmann, the stadium announcer and ‘voice of the Allianz Arena’. Looking back, Hoeneß was enthusiastic: “The unique construction and lighting make the Allianz Arena an epic stadium to this day. The atmosphere is always a unique experience, too.” Accordingly, Dreesen believes the stadium has a special status for the city of Munich: "Thanks to continuous investment by the club, the Allianz Arena remains one of the most modern stadiums in Europe and a place of special significance for the entire city. After all, every city is defined by its landmarks. Munich has the Frauenkirche and the Olympic Stadium – and for 20 years now, the Allianz Arena in particular. We are investing in our home here.” For Muth, however, it is not just the futuristic architecture that makes it so appealing. “The magic also comes from the employees, who have contributed significantly to the Allianz Arena legend with their dedication over the past 20 years."

The opening of the Allianz Arena also marked the beginning of the partnership between FC Bayern and Allianz, which has grown even closer over the years. “The Allianz Arena is a success story with a very special meaning for us,” says Bernd Heinemann, chief strategy officer of Allianz SE. "For 20 years, the Allianz Arena has shown how enthusiasm for football connects and unites people. This creates a sense of community and cohesion. This is particularly valuable in a time marked by uncertainty and polarisation. Together with FC Bayern, we use the lighting to draw attention to social issues. We are delighted to have FC Bayern as a partner who shares these concerns with us." In October, for example, the arena will be lit up in pink for the third year in a row on a matchday as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote breast cancer screening.

Herbert Hainer: ‘A beacon of world football’

The entrance area of the exhibition is dedicated to the ‘Beacon Allianz Arena and illustrates its history – from the search for a location to the referendum and architectural competition to the construction of the stadium. The ‘Home’ section presents the history of the stadium's use by FC Bayern and portrays the people who have made the football temple a world-famous home for the club over the past 20 years: the fans and the staff behind the scenes. And the fact that the Allianz Arena has also been the venue for unforgettable football matches since 2005 is brought to life in the ‘Stage’ section of the exhibition, where visitors can relive the highlights of the most important matches from an original Champions League row of seats, for example. Admission to the special exhibition is included in the ticket price for the FC Bayern Museum.

The Allianz Arena has become “a beacon of world football”, said Hainer. “It is and will remain a vision for the future of FC Bayern. For our players, for our fans – for generations to come.” The president wished all visitors much enjoyment with this exhibition: “And anyone who has ever felt goosebumps here at the Allianz Arena knows that the best is not behind us. It's waiting out there, in the next game, in front of the FC Bayern fans, in this stadium. And that will continue to be the case for the next 20 years.”

A number of improvements have been made made to the Allianz Arena over the summer: