The incredible Champions League journey on a private plane and the dream of semi-finals

There are trips you never forget. And then there’s that one very special night when everything feels different all over again: when an entire village, half a dozen fan clubs and a president with a passion for the game charter their own plane to follow their FC Bayern to Madrid. What began as a crazy idea has become a story that shows what passion, togetherness and spirit truly mean. If you want to know how 180 fans rose to the occasion, why a fan club president was still handing out tickets at three in the morning – and what all of this has to do with the big dream of reaching the semi-finals – you should definitely keep reading.

Necessity is the mother of invention

The idea of chartering their own aircraft wasn’t exactly a stroke of genius. It was born out of necessity – and not for the first time. “The flight prices quickly became astronomically high,” explains Rudi Grabmeier. Eight or nine hundred euros – virtually unaffordable for most members of the “Red Bulls Taubenbach” (Rottal-Inn district). So the fan club president picked up the phone, contacted other fan clubs, weighed up his options, did the maths, and took a risk. Ultimately, he chartered his own plane to fly him and his friends from Munich to Madrid for the first leg of the quarter-final. “That allowed us to offer seats on the plane for just 475 euros,” reveals Grabmeier. And it wasn’t even the first flight the fan club has chartered, but already the seventh. “It’s always a lot of work, a lot of risk, a lot of responsibility.” But this time, says Grabmeier, the opponent was perhaps the greatest there is. The Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid is almost like a final in itself. And so a spontaneous and slightly crazy idea turned into a project that, in the end, as Grabmeier says, “was really awesome again”.

Experience, passion, family

Grabmeier is no novice. In 2010, he went to Madrid with friends. “The first time is always something special, it was pure thrills.” At that time, there was an ash cloud over Europe, with hardly any planes flying. This time it was more relaxed – but nevertheless another huge undertaking. “You always have the risk of paying in advance. None of us have that much money in their account.”

180 hearts, one goal

Without much advertisement, the flight was sold out in just 24 hours. “The demand was incredible, I could’ve even chartered two aircrafts.” In the end it was 178 fans, as two had to pull out at short notice due to illness – “but I always say 180, because it was fully booked”. Red Bulls Taubenbach fans made up 150 of the passengers, with the other places going to friends, acquaintances and also new faces from other fan club. “It turned out extremely well this time.”

Lunch above the clouds

“Most airlines never have enough drinks on board for us Bayern fans,” adds Grabmeier, who organised 1,000 cans of Paulaner, Leberkäse, rolls and pretzels. “That was quite a wild story.” The crew was amazed, the mood was exuberant, and the group photo at the airport was a minor miracle. “We’ve never had such a wonderful flight,” the flight attendants said happily, according to Grabmeier. “A fan photo without any problems – that’s important too.”

Madrid cries – and Bayern march on

In Madrid, the transfer buses arrived at Plaza Mayor, where everyone got into the spirit together. A mix of anticipation and nervousness, since they’d all made it to Madrid after all. “Everyone was thinking a win, 2-1, 3-1 – we’re always positive.” Then came the rain and the wait outside the stadium. “Madrid is already crying,” joked Grabmeier in the pouring rain. Security checks were strict but the atmosphere was still electric. “We created the atmosphere we promised – much louder than all the Madrid fans.” The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. “You suffer, you cheer, you’re fully immersed in the emotions.” In the end, the result leaves everything open, and only makes the hunger for more even greater. At 3:30 in the morning, they flew back to Munich – tired, yes, but in high spirits thanks to the first-leg victory.

A strong bond

What sets Rudi and his fan club apart? “Our involvement – not just in football but also in basketball – and our youth outreach.” They have nearly 600 young members, and over 3,000 in total. “We support the youth, offer something special, and help with vocational internships.” For them, being a fan means being part of a red-and-white family – and that comes with responsibility. Just this past winter, Jamal Musiala visited the “Red Bulls Taubenbach” as part of the annual fan club visits, another highlight on Grabmeier’s calendar.

Looking ahead – Wednesday, Munich, a magical night

But now, after this trip, it’s onto the next highlight. “You look forward to those crucial months of April and May. You’re full of energy when you get to experience these highlight games.” They’ll be there again on Wednesday for the return leg in Munich. “We’ll have 150 members in the stadium, many in the Südkurve.” The tickets will be distributed to those “who deserve them, who are always there, not just the fairweather fans”. And then? “Then we have another magical night ahead of us, which will hopefully end the way we all imagine – with a spot in the semi-finals.”