Munich, capital of the German state of Bavaria, will be the focus of the football world when the city hosts the Uefa Champions League final on Saturday 31 May 2025. The highlight of the European club football calendar returns to Bayern Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena stadium for the first time since 2012.
Home to a thriving sports culture, tourist attractions such as Oktoberfest and set against the stunning backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, Munich is one of the world’s top sports cities and a bucket-list destination for any sports traveller.
Main image: The Allianz Arena and architectural sculpture Sunken Village in Munich (Image credit: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA, via WikiCommons)
Major sports teams and clubs in Munich
- FC Bayern Munich: FC Bayern’s fanbase, history, and stadium make a visit to Munich unforgettable. The Allianz Arena, which has a capacity of 75,000, offers stadium tours and fans can also visit the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt (FC Bayern World), which is Germany’s largest club museum.
- TSV 1860 Munich: The city’s other historic football club play their games at the Grünwalder Stadion, which offers an intimate stadium experience and is perfect for experiencing traditional Bavarian football culture.
- EHC Red Bull München: The dominant team in German ice hockey and frequent DEL champions. Home matches are played at the new SAP Garden multi-purpose arena, which is located in Munich’s Olympiapark.
- FC Bayern Basketball: A rising force in European basketball, with a strong following and quality games in the EuroLeague and German BBL. The team’s home arena is BMW Park, which seats 6,700 spectators, and they play their EuroLeague games at SAP Garden, which seats 12,500 spectators.
Major sports events in Munich
- Uefa Champions League final (31 May 2025): European club football’s showpiece fixture, which is being held at the Allianz Arena.
- Munich Sports Festival (6 June 2025): Taking place on 6 July 2025 at Königsplatz, the Munich Sports Festival sees sports clubs and sports institutions present more than 70 types of sport in workshops, demonstrations, trial training sessions and competitions.
- Munich Marathon (12 October): This marathon offers a scenic course through the heart of the city and finishes at the Olympic Stadium.
- BMW Open (April): ATP Tour tennis event held at the MTTC Iphitos Tennis Club.
- Football games at Allianz Arena (seasonal): Football fans can watch regular Bundesliga, Champions League, and national team matches.
Stadiums and sports venues in Munich
- Allianz Arena: Home to FC Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is located on Werner-Heisenberg-Allee and has hosted Champions League finals and Uefa European Championship fixtures. It was also the host of the NFL Munich Game between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants in 2024.
- Grünwalder Stadion: Home to TSV 1860 Munich, this is one of Germany’s oldest stadiums with an old-school football vibe.
- Olympiapark: Built for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, Olympiapark now hosts concerts, athletics, winter sports, and cultural events.
- Audi Dome: Also built for the 1972 Olympics, this historic basketball arena is the main home for FC Bayern Basketball. It currently seats 6,500 spectators for basketball and a maximum 7,200 spectators for sports.
- SAP Garden: Opened in 2024, SAP Garden is a 12,500-seat indoor arena in Olympiapark. It hosts ice hockey and basketball games, plus other sports events.
Best hotels for sports travellers
- Hotel Bayerischer Hof: Central, upscale, and often hosts VIPs during major sports events. It has a rooftop spa with a view of the Alps.
- Leonardo Royal Hotel Munich: Close to the Olympiapark, with modern design and great transport links.
- Gambino Hotel Werksviertel: Stylish, affordable, and located in a creative district with bars and food spots. Easy U-Bahn access to Allianz Arena.
- Motel One München-Olympia Gate: Affordable with modern design, good access to Olympiapark and the city centre.
- For Munich hotels and city breaks see lastminute.com
Must-visit tourist attractions in Munich
- Marienplatz: The heart of Munich’s Old Town, with the iconic Glockenspiel, lively atmosphere, and easy access to cafes and shops.
- Englischer Garten: One of the world’s largest urban parks. Great for running, walking, or watching surfers on the Eisbach River wave.
- Olympiapark: A venue not just for sports fans – visitors can climb the Olympic Tower or attend open-air concerts and festivals.
- BMW Welt and Museum: A temple for car and motorsports fans. Interactive exhibits and futuristic architecture.
- Nymphenburg Palace: A beautiful baroque palace with gardens perfect for a peaceful stroll.
- Deutsches Museum: One of the world’s most important museums of science and technology. Includes fascinating exhibits on aviation and space travel.
- Allianz Arena: A must-visit for any football fan. Even non-fans are impressed by the tech and design of this stadium.
Local food and drink for sports fans
- Hofbräuhaus München: Legendary beer hall. Massive steins, hearty Bavarian fare, and live music.
- Viktualienmarkt: Grab a bratwurst or pretzel from one of the many stalls.
- Augustiner Bräustuben: Local favourite for authentic food and beer.
- Andechser am Dom: Traditional setting near Marienplatz with killer schnitzel and beer.
Transport: getting around Munich
- Munich International Airport (MUC): Well-connected hub for international travellers, with direct connections to the city via train (S-Bahn lines S1 and S8).
- Public Transport: Clean, fast, and reliable U-Bahn/S-Bahn network.
- Day Passes: Great for tourists – valid on trains, buses, trams.
- To Allianz Arena: U6 line to Fröttmaning station.
- To Olympiapark: U3 line to Olympiazentrum.