UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL DESTINATION– ALLIANZ ARENA MUNICH

This season’s UEFA Champions League has been full of surprises. It is apt then that the two teams set to face each other in the Final on the 19th of May are a surprise. Chelsea have turned what was looking like a pretty miserable season into right around and stand on the brink of finally tasting European glory. First however they will have to overcome Bayern Munich – in their own backyard.

Bayern Munich’s home, the Allianz Arena in Munich, will play host to this seasons UEFA Champions League Final and, thanks to Allianz, we have able to give you a great behind the scenes look at the world class stadium.

The iconic stadium is known for the distinctive illuminated ‘cushions’ on the exterior facade, which change to red, blue or white depending on who is playing inside – so red and blue for the Final.

Allianz performed a key role in the Arena development, with its research laboratory, the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT), conducting all fire resistance tests of the outer material. The Allianz Arena took three years to build, and since its official opening on May 31, 2005, has hosted nearly 15 million fans and over 300 matches – including the opening match and semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. 66,000 attend each major match.

The Allianz Arena in the Bavarian capital, Munich has already provided the stage for more than 175 football matches – all of which have been sold out over the past few years.

Capacity

• Total: 69,901 capacity undercover (66,000 seats)
• 106 VIP boxes of various sizes accommodating 1,374 guests

Parking

• 9,800 parking places in four x four-storey Esplanade car parks (the largest in Europe)

Inside the Arena

• 6,000 m² of catering facilities including; 28 kiosks, restaurants and a Business Club
• offices and conference rooms
• a nursery
• 4 changing rooms
• 2 warm-up rooms, each 110m²

Pitch

• Pitch: 68 m x 105 m, Pitch gross: 72 m x 111 m
• Total surface (barrier to barrier): 120 m x 83 m
• Spectator distance from pitch: 7.5 m minimum
• Pitchside barrier height: approx 1.2 m

Façade

• Façade and roof: 66,500 m² in total, comprising 2,760 inflated panels
• 1,056 (of  2,760) illuminated panels (in the colors with, blue and red)
• Illuminated area 25,500 m²

Fans are encouraged to go to Football for Life on Facebook to post comments and share their piece of advice to the players and teams as they prepare for the Final.

“Football is an international language, spoken by millions around the world,” says Christian Deuringer. “We look forward to sharing our insight and knowledge with fans all over the world and welcoming them to this great stadium and to Munich on May 19.”

On the 19th of May the two teams will walk down the tunnel and come up from under the stands and we are hoping that the football they produce on that night is a breath taking as the Allianz Arena.