Exclusive Bavarian curling event with Herbert Hainer

‘Kane on Ice’ against ‘Mia san Eiskalt’ or ‘Tahs Eisblocker’ against ‘Olises Eisraketen’ - FC Bayern invited its members to a special event at the Paulaner Nockherberg: For the first time, a Bavarian curling match was held as part of the club's series of dialogue formats. 48 people were drawn by lot from over 300 applications to compete in different teams whose names were derived from FCB players. President Herbert Hainer opened the tournament and was on hand to answer questions about the club, while the teams were joined by Karin Danner, former long-time manager of FC Bayern Women, and honorary committee member Marcus Preißinger.

Hainer ordered a Paulaner beer to get him in the mood and told the audience that he had spent a lot of time curling on frozen lakes in his childhood and youth. After an introduction by Jasmin Gaßner, head of the membership department, he first addressed the members with a joke about the weather: "We imagined today being a little different - until a few days ago it was wintry white - but let's be positive about it: at least we won't freeze as much!" The president continued: "At FC Bayern, we all always want to make history at our member events - and you're making history today: we're breaking new sporting ground with you: you're the first ones to take part in an FC Bayern curling event. You're now official FC Bayern curling pioneers! I wish you all, as they say in curling: a good shot!"

FC Bayern wants to bring people together, explained Hainer, at the matches in the Allianz Arena, at the FC Bayern Campus with the women, with the basketball players - "but also beyond the pitches. We've developed a wide variety of formats to promote dialogue with you. As president, it's important to me that we are approachable as a club: We don't sit in an ivory tower on Säbener Straße - instead, we're here with you at the Nockherberg today with our eV team." In addition, the aim is to bring Bavarian traditions and Bavarian consciousness together, he explained: "Curling has a long history in Bavaria - so it's high time we dedicated ourselves to this sport. Let's see which of you will become something like Harry Kane, Michael Olise or Giulia Gwinn in curling today! The ice is yours - keep moving forward, FC Bayern!"

In between, there were refreshments including chilli con or sin carne, cheese spaetzle or currywurst along with drinks, and host Christian Schottenhamel also stopped by: “It's wonderful that FC Bayern cultivates Bavarian traditions - that's just as typical of this club as it is that it promotes the togetherness of its members." Martin Baumgartner, once active in the curling Bundesliga, enthused about the event and found the question of whether FCB members also had talent in this sport "almost impertinent", as he said with a smile: "FC Bayern is talented at everything!" Among those present was Alex Niedermeier, who has already taken part in European championships in darts: "FC Bayern is one big family, you can feel that here." And Verena Gauchel from the German record champions' chess department, whose brother had already taken part in an FCB Schafkopf tournament, was impressed by the president's approachability: "So personable, with an ear for everyone - that's what you imagine a club to be like."

Karin Danner conducted the prize-giving ceremony. In winter, she goes curling once a week with friends, revealed the former FCB player and decision-maker: "I always think it's great when the club organises formats like this: You get to chat, you're doing things together, it's just fun." First place went to ‘Goretzka's Gletscher Gang’ with Dieter Aumer, Werner-Rolf Schreiner, Christian Unterreiner and Marcus Preißinger ahead of ‘Davies' Frostflitzern’ and ‘Musiala's Eiskünstlern’. In addition to the winners' certificates, prizes included a match-worn warm-up shirt with ‘Red against Racism’ lettering, various sets of FCB glasses, ‘Red against Racism’ Schafkopf cards and special key-rings to mark the club's 125th anniversary. All other participants also received certificates and ‘Red against Racism’ key-rings. Ahead of the final, the players formed a huddle - team spirit was paramount. The winners declared they would be ready to defend the title in a new edition. A première that whetted the appetite for more. 

2026 marks 40 years of fan club visits: