This season it’s happening on 4 January. The players and management will once again be heading off to visit fan clubs up and down the country. But when did this tradition actually begin at FC Bayern? How did it all start? A little journey through 40 years of fan club visits.
The 1-0 win over VfB Stuttgart in December 2003 was actually a match whose story can be told quickly. A late winner from Roy Makaay, three more points on the board in the Bundesliga, on we go. However, there’s a reason why many Bayern fans still remember it today, 22 years later. And it wasn’t anything to do with anyone on the pitch, but someone sitting off it – to be precise, on the subs’ bench. He wore – in keeping with the time of year, if not his own style – a red-and-white striped bobble hat, known by the name ‘Pomperlhaube’.
For a brief moment, Uli Hoeneß had been sceptical when he made the bet during his visit to the fan club in Bad Griesbach, which led to the legendary images from Munich's Olympiastadion. But in this wonderfully convivial and cosy atmosphere, the handshake was quickly done. The deal was as follows: if Bayern – cheered on by 300 ‘Pomperlbuam’ with free tickets – won against RSC Anderlecht and advanced to the round of 16 of the Champions League, Hoeneß would wear his new headgear in the following Bundesliga match. That's exactly what happened, and Hoeneß didn't care that it didn't look particularly flattering. He kept his word, and the hat was a sign of the values that the then general manager and now honorary president always embodies: respect, reliability and love for the 12th man.
Aumann: ‘It was always fun’
Raimond Aumann has plenty of stories like this in his head. And it’s no coincidence that he’s telling them again now. Indeed, it’s Christmas again, and this year it’s one with an anniversary. For the 40th time, the FC Bayern players and staff are swarming out to spend a few relaxing hours in the hallowed halls of the selected fan clubs. There it's all about togetherness, in the sports and community halls, clubhouses and beer tents of Bavaria, Germany and even beyond. Aumann's favourite anecdote from 39 fan club visits around Christmas time so far? “I wouldn't want to single one out,” says the man who first joined the club as a player in 1985 and then spent almost three decades as head of fan and fan club relations. But he assures us: “It was always fun!”
This year, it will take place on Sunday 4 January 2026 – the fixture list has dictated a New Year's reception. But even without Christmas trees, mulled wine and cookies, the spirit of this special institution remains the same. “For four decades, the tradition has stood for solidarity, community and closeness to fans,” says CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. President Herbert Hainer calls it “Mia san mia in action”. And Hoeneß summed it up more than 30 years ago: “The fans come to Munich several times a year from far away. So it goes without saying that we should make the trip ourselves once in a while.”
Happy fans, happy players
It comes as little surprise what Aumann says about the early years of this unique campaign: "Uli got it off the ground. He said: 'You have to get out there to the fans!’” In 1985, the young general manager sent Bayern on their first tour of Germany, initially “very sporadically”, but then, according to Aumann, “it quickly became a regular fixture around Christmas time”. The first organised fan club visit took place in 1988, with the call to action appearing in the Bayern magazine at the end of October under the headline: “No matter where you celebrate, a Bayern player will be your guest.”
Among others, coaches Jupp Heynckes and Egon Coordes, 19 players and Hoeneß were allocated as guests among the approximately 260 fan clubs at the time. Any club with more than 50 members was eligible to participate, and the campaign was an instant hit as 150 fan clubs tried their luck. Two months later, you could read about how the grand premiere had gone. The photos are still in black and white but the special atmosphere comes across perfectly. The words that accompanied them were not even exaggerated: “This has never happened before! In what is probably a unique event in the Bundesliga, the stars of FC Bayern went on tour.”
Karl Hopfner visited the oldest fan club in Steinsberg, Stefan Reuter brought his girlfriend Birgin to the “Kronach Friesen”, Wiggerl Kögl headed for South Tyrol, Olaf Thon cut the cake in Pilsting, while Norbert Nachtweih even played the barrel organ. The summary: “The fans were happy, the players almost more so. And we promise: we’ll come again!” That stands to this day, and Aumann himself says: “A 40-year-long tradition – that’s not only incredible, but also unique in Europe.” Of course, the world was very different in 1985. “But what’s remained is what’s important to us.”
Sure, there have been adjustments here and there, the odd visit has been postponed, and the gatherings were cancelled during the Covid pandemic. Nevertheless, “there is no need to reinvent what has become a tradition”. The essence of the visits is timeless: the day belongs to the fan club, which independently organises the programme around its star. Over the past 40 years, there have been many recurring elements – but also various one-off activities.
‘Every year again’ already in 1993
There was a real hype in the early years. By 1991, Bayern already had 575 officially registered fan clubs, which were happy to join forces for the Christmas visits. And in 1993, after the sixth edition of this special campaign, the Bayern magazine wrote: “Every year again!” The players knew what it meant when the then press spokesman Markus Hörwick came around with all the relevant information for the fan club visits. Aumann: “The routes were shown to us on a map, along with alternative routes and overnight accommodation options. You never knew what might happen.”
From snow and ice to traffic jams and motorway chaos, they experienced it all. But most of the time, the stars arrived at a place where they clearly felt at home: among their hospitable fans. The gift bags were always full – with autograph cards, signed balls, pennants, jerseys, posters and free tickets. In return, they were happy to receive regional specialities. In 1992, Michael Sternkopf received an original Black Forest cuckoo clock, Oliver Kreuzer a delicious honey schnapps, and Manni Schwabl a beer mug printed with his portrait. And Oliver Kahn once returned from Greding with a bag of chewing gum. Why? “He's always chewing. Now he won't need to buy any more for a long time.”
When the visits had to be cancelled in 1998 due to a rearranged match, all 350 fan clubs that had applied were rewarded with a Christmas package – and the prospect of a joint summer party. This was an exception, however, because as Aumann says, “We could have taken the easy route and invited everyone to our place. But that's exactly what we didn't want to do.” Immersing yourself in the fan world expresses gratitude. And it also creates experiences that some players still remember to this day.
Salihamidžic milks, Lahm conducts
No journey was too far, not even the one Christian Ziege undertook in 1997. In Thessaloniki, the fan club “Macedonia Greece” welcomed the European champion, and the entire city was plastered with posters of him. The trips often extended far beyond Germany's borders, especially to Austria and Italy. “Over the years, we have become better at dividing things up,” says Aumann. “How do we get to the regions? Who is best suited to which location?”
For example, Hermann Gerland and later Leon Goretzka went to their hometown of Bochum. They knew each other there, but many players also liked the appeal of something new. Would Zé Roberto have guessed when he transferred in 2002 that he would be playing both the alphorn and the trombone in the coming years? Michael Ballack that he would be punished by Krampus for an early Champions League exit? Hasan Salihamidžic that he would milk a cow? Lukas Podolski that he would become a tombola lucky charm? Philipp Lahm that he would be conducting a youth brass band? Or Jamal Musiala that he has a knack for Schuhplattler dance? Aumann explains: “You shouldn't try to fit the fan club into a mould. Instead, it should be able to present itself however it wants to.”
The fans tease a lot out of the stars, even verbally. Because there are no taboos during the question and answer sessions in the usually packed halls. Do you like roast pork? Do you have a caravan? How did you become the best left-footed player in the world? For young and old, parents and children, priests and mayors alike, the motto is: just get it out there. Accompanied by brass band music or sometimes a gospel choir singing ‘Stern des Südens’ (Star of the South). Usually with a cold beer – often accompanied by a beer mug lifting contest: that's how it is! And at the end, visitors usually become honorary members of the fan club or honorary citizens of the city. Or even both.
‘Hope it stays that way for decades’
As a veteran, can he still keep track of his honorary memberships? “That's not the point,” says Aumann, adding that “the wonderful moments with the fans” are much more important. It's not without reason that he prefers to reiterate what everyone should hear on the 40th anniversary: “This is a unique selling point that suits FC Bayern well. And I hope it stays that way for decades to come.” Let's put it this way: any manager can wear a perfectly ordinary cap. But only one has a ‘Pomperlhaube’.
This article appeared in the December issue of members’ magazine ‘51’.