Munich’s Fußball Arena München is set to host the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final, the pinnacle of European club football.
The final, scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2025, marks the return of the prestigious event to the German city for the first time since 2012.
The Fußball Arena München, an architectural marvel located on Werner-Heisenberg-Allee, has been a significant landmark in European football since its completion on April 30, 2005.
Built in less than three years, the stadium was the result of a public referendum in October 2001, where 65.8% of Munich’s citizens voted in favor of constructing a new arena rather than refurbishing the historic Olympiastadion, the venue for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.
Originally a joint venture between local rivals Bayern München and 1860 München, the stadium has been solely owned by Bayern since 2005.
The arena quickly became a stage for unforgettable football moments, including hosting the opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where Germany triumphed over Costa Rica. The stadium also saw action in three group stage matches, a round of 16 clash, and a thrilling semi-final where France edged out Portugal.
One of the most dramatic nights in the stadium’s history came during the 2012 UEFA Champions League final. Chelsea, against all odds, overcame Bayern München on penalties, despite the German side enjoying home advantage. This marked the last time Munich hosted the final before 2025.
The Fußball Arena München has continued to be a central figure in European football, most recently hosting three group stage matches involving Germany and Italy’s 2-1 quarter-final victory against Belgium during UEFA EURO 2020. Remarkably, it will become the first stadium in history to host matches in consecutive UEFA European Championships, as it is also a venue for UEFA EURO 2024.
With a seating capacity of 66,000 for UEFA EURO 2024, the stadium is renowned for its distinctive transparent outer wall, composed of foil panels that can change color depending on the team playing.
Munich’s football legacy extends beyond the Fußball Arena München. The city’s Olympiastadion previously hosted three European Champion Clubs’ Cup finals, including Nottingham Forest’s 1979 victory over Malmö, Marseille’s 1993 triumph against AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund’s 1997 win over Juventus.
The upcoming 2025 Champions League final will mark the culmination of the 70th season of Europe’s elite club competition and the 33rd since its rebranding as the UEFA Champions League.
With its rich history and state-of-the-art facilities, the Fußball Arena München is poised to deliver yet another unforgettable chapter in the annals of European football.