What you need to know about your trip to Stavanger

The fan club ‘Bayern München Norge’ connects supporters of the German record champions in a large, sparsely populated country. Vice-president Morten Guldberg discusses the origins of the fan club, evenings together watching live broadcasts of Bayern games and the special anticipation for FC Bayern’s Champions League encounter in Stavanger. He also provides a load of inside tips on Stavanger for Bayern fans – fcbayern.com has compiled them:

Bayern’s first visit to Stavanger

The trip to Norway takes Bayern fans to an expansive and sparsely populated country – but even here, there is still an organised Bayern fan community. And they’re now particularly looking forward to being able to experience their beloved club on their own doorstep. “I’m pleased that I’m one of the ten or so members of the fan club who managed to get a ticket for the match,” says Morten Guldberg, vice-president of the Bayern München Norge fan club. Along with his fellow fan club members, he wants to support Bayern in Stavanger as well as welcome the travelling faithful from Germany with inside tips – from the best spots in the city and exciting attractions to the special atmosphere on matchdays. “The Bayern community in Norway is spread quite far over the country,” explains Guldberg. In Oslo and Bergen, there are communal football nights where they watch Bayern matches live on TV.

Together for Bayern since 2008

The fan club was set up in 2008 and has around 100 members. For around 15 years, it’s had a close partnership with a bar in Oslo, where spaces are reserved and live broadcasts organised for every Bayern game. “It’s a great relationship,” describes Guldberg. “When Bayern play, everyone knows where they can go.”

For Guldberg, the reason Bayern fans in Norway feel a particularly strong bond with one another is partly down to their relatively small numbers. While English clubs traditionally have a large following in Norway, support for FCB is more of a niche. And yet you see fans walking through the streets wearing shirts with Müller, Neuer, Kimmich or Kane on the back. “When you meet another Bayern fan, it’s very easy to become good friends straight away.” 

From the World Cup to FC Bayern

Guldberg’s own Bayern story began with the 1986 World Cup. As a seven-year-old, he collected Panini stickers and decided to support Germany because of how beautiful their shirts were. When Guldberg later became interested in club football, the choice was obvious for him as a big chunk of the Germany team played for the Munich club. “Bayern was the natural choice for me,” he explains. Now his beloved team are coming to his home country – a stroke of luck for the Norwegian.

“It’s difficult to put into words,” says Guldberg. “Since 2008, we’ve talked about how cool it would be if a Norwegian team reached the Champions League and then came up against Bayern. And then both teams were drawn against each other in the competition this year.” The location of this fixture makes the game particularly special. Viking FK have a passionate fan base and football is an important part of the local identity. The clash with Bayern is therefore a big event for the city and the club. “My advice to Bayern fans who are travelling to Stavanger is: before you make your way to the stadium, spend a bit of time in the city centre, enjoy the local atmosphere and take the opportunity to get to know Norwegian football fans. It should be an unforgettable European night for both clubs.”

Discover Stavanger as away fan

Stavanger is easily explored by foot ahead of the match. The most eye-catching part is Gamle Stavanger, the historic old city, where traditional white wooden houses line the cobbled streets – one of the most picturesque corners of the city and just a stone’s throw from the port. Those who want to learn more about the city and its history can find fascinating insights into the offshore industry in the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. Stavanger is regarded as the oil capital of Norway and the museum is located centrally on the water.

Another popular photo subject is the Sverd i fjell, the three huge swords in Hafrsfjord which commemorate the unification of Norway. However, it is advisable to use public transport from the city centre to get there. Right in the centre, the Vågen harbour area and the colourful street Øvre Holmegate – also known as Fargegaten – are perfect for a stroll, a bite to eat or a drink before the match.

Where to watch Viking vs. Bayern if you don’t have a ticket

Anyone travelling to Stavanger without a ticket for the meeting between Viking and Bayern can watch it with other Bayern fans in the Old Irish Pub at Nedre Holmegate 12. Members of Bayern München Norge will also be there and will be pleased to meet you!

Guldberg himself has been to three games in Munich to date. His first was particularly memorable: the 9-2 win against Hamburger SV. “I got to experience something historic in my first match in Munich,” he adds. The Champions League triumphs in 2013 and 2020 were even more emotional for him, though.

For Guldberg, his attachment to FC Bayern isn’t just based on the club’s sporting successes. The city of Munich and Bavarian culture are also part of it for him: the architecture, the history, the lederhosen and the Oktoberfest – “I love everything about Munich”. Furthermore, he values the club’s financial and sporting independence. “I like FC Bayern because it’s an honest club,” says Guldberg. “The club doesn’t take out loans just to sign the most expensive players if that wouldn’t be financially responsible. The money that’s spent has been generated by the club itself.” 

Likewise, FC Bayern is much more than a football team for the Bayern München Norge fan club. It’s a shared reference point in a country where the supporters live a long way from each other – and the reason why individual fans have come together to form a close-knit community.