Allianz Arena / Herzog & De Meuron

Architects: Herzog & de Meuron
Area: Site Area: 310000 m², Gross Floor Area: 171000 m²
Year: 2005
Photographs: Herzog & de Meuron, Arup, Allianz Arena
Partners: Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron, Robert Hösl (Partner in Charge), Harry Gugger (Competition)
Competition: Tim Hupe (Project Architect), Patrick Ambrosetti, Nicolas Feldmeyer, Maria Flaccavento, Markus Haberstroh, Wolfgang Hardt, Philipp Kim, Matei Manaila, Gabriela Mazza, Jan-Frederik Peters, Daniel Pokora, Catherine Preiswerk, Philipp Schaerer, Daniel Tobler, Adrien Verschuere, Tobias Winkelmann
Project: Tim Hupe (Project Architect), Andreas Beier, Felix Beyreuther, Sven Bietau, Jean-Claude Cadalbert, Eukratos – Georgios Chaitidis, Gregor Dietrich, Alex Fhtenakis, Katja Fiebrandt, Eric Frisch, Martin Fröhlich, Johann Gruber, Nikolai Happ, Roman Harbaum, Claudia Winkelmann, Uta Kamps, Sebastian Koch, Sebastian Massmann, Christoph Mauz, Kai Merkert, Beatriz Noves, Matthias Pektor, Daniel Reisch, Roland Rossmaie, rChristoph Röttinger, Christoph Schuchardt, Christian Schühle, Beate Semprich, Elia Spandri, Tobias Winkelmann, Christian Zerreis
Planning: Clubs: FC Bayern München and TSV 1860 München Sponsoring: Allianz AG
General Planning: HVB Immobilien AG, Munich, Germany
Architect Planning: Herzog & de Meuron Basel Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
General Contractor: Alpine Bau Deutschland AG, Eching, Germany
Animation (Competition Entry): Tapio Snallmann, Christian Grou
Structural Engineering, Sports Architecture, and Detailed Design: ArupSport, Sailer Stepan and Partners
Client: Allianz Arena – München Stadion GmbH
City: Munich
Country: Germany

The Allianz Arena football stadium in Munich-Fröttmaning, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and completed in 2005, serves as the home of FC Bayern Munich and previously hosted TSV 1860 Munich, having also hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. Defined by an illuminated ETFE façade, a processional arrival experience, and a crater-like interior, the stadium’s diamond-shaped air cushions can glow in red, blue, or white, making it a landmark between Munich’s city center and airport. Visitors approach via landscaped pathways, guided by staircases aligned with the natural slope, leading to steeply tiered seating that enhances spectator engagement. Constructed with reinforced concrete stands and a steel lattice roof, the design prioritized structural efficiency and aesthetic impact. Engineered by ArupSport with Sailer Stepan and Partners, and built by Herzog & de Meuron, Alpine Bau, and HVB, the Allianz Arena has become an architectural icon of modern football stadiums.

The Allianz Arena in Munich-Fröttmaning was designed as a world-class football stadium, hosting both FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860. It accommodates 66,000 spectators and served as the venue for the opening ceremony of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The architectural and urban concept revolves around three key themes: the stadium as an illuminated body, the processional arrival experience, and the crater-like interior. The stadium’s exterior is a defining element, appearing as a luminous volume in the landscape. Its ETFE membrane shell, the largest in the world, consists of diamond-shaped cushions that can be illuminated independently in white, red, or blue. This system allows the stadium’s appearance to change based on which team is playing—red for Bayern Munich, blue for TSV 1860, and white for neutral events. The dynamic lighting transforms the Allianz Arena into a landmark visible from afar, reinforcing its presence between Munich’s airport and the city center.

The journey to the stadium is carefully choreographed. Visitors arrive via a landscaped pathway that crosses one of Europe’s largest car parks, blending into the surrounding Fröttmaning Heath. The main staircases follow the line of greatest slope, guiding spectators in a processional movement toward the entrance. Meandering asphalt pathways further shape the flow of crowds, creating a rhythm to the approach.

Designed exclusively for football, the interior of the stadium enhances the spectator experience with three steeply tiered seating levels that bring fans as close as possible to the pitch. The incline increases from bottom to top, intensifying the sense of enclosure and engagement—comparable to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, where the audience is positioned directly around the action.

The Allianz Arena’s bowl and stands are constructed from reinforced concrete, while the roof structure is composed of steel latticework supporting the ETFE shell. This cantilevered roof, combined with cascading stairways and steel framing, defines the arena’s architectural character. The initial design process explored several concepts, including a zeppelin-like roof enclosure and alternative cladding materials. Ultimately, the self-contained, air-cushion-clad form was chosen for its efficiency, aesthetic impact, and structural performance.

ArupSport, in collaboration with Sailer Stepan and Partners, provided structural engineering and sports architecture expertise, ensuring the project met both technical and aesthetic goals. The winning bid for the stadium was submitted jointly by Alpine Bau, HVB, and Herzog & de Meuron, combining expertise in construction with innovative stadium design. Through this integration of light, structure, and urban landscape, the Allianz Arena has redefined the concept of a modern football stadium, offering an unparalleled spectator experience while standing as a landmark in Munich’s evolving skyline.