Football is the most popular sport in Germany, with the national team among the most successful in the world. Going to a football match in Germany is an exciting experience, with full stadiums and passionate fans creating an electric atmosphere. If you want to attend a game during your visit, here is a guide on how to get tickets for German football matches.
Types of Football in Germany
There are several professional football leagues in Germany:
- Bundesliga – The top division league with 18 teams. This is the most prestigious league with world-class players and teams like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig.
- 2. Bundesliga – The second division with 18 teams. These matches also attract good crowds and atmosphere.
- 3. Liga – The third division is still professional with 20 teams. The quality is not as high but cheaper tickets.
- DFB-Pokal – The main cup competition involving teams from the top 4 divisions. Matches are knockout style and single-leg, usually creating excitement.
- Champions League/Europa League – German teams in the European competitions, featuring the top teams from Bundesliga.
The Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga seasons run from August to May. DFB-Pokal starts in August, with the final in May. Champions League group stage begins in September, and the knockout rounds start in February.
Getting Tickets Directly from the Club
The best way to get tickets for German football matches is directly from the club. Most Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga teams sell tickets on their official website. Here are the steps to buy from the club:
- Find the club website and navigate to the Tickets section. There will be options for different competitions and matches.
- Select the match you want to attend and choose your preferred seating area in the stadium layout chart.
- Choose the number of tickets you need and proceed to the checkout.
- Create an account or log in if you already have one. You will need to provide contact and payment details.
- Complete payment online using credit/debit card, PayPal etc. You will receive a confirmation email.
- The club will send the match ticket to your account before the game. You can print it out or show it on your mobile device.
Booking this way ensures you get official tickets directly from the source. You also get to select your preferred section in the stadium.
Benefits of Buying from the Club
- Guaranteed valid and official tickets
- Choose your exact seat location
- Safe and secure payment methods
- Ticket delivered directly to you
- Avoid paying more to ticket resellers
When to Buy from the Club
Plan ahead and purchase tickets from the club website as early as possible. Here are the recommended times:
- Bundesliga – 1-2 months before the match
- 2. Bundesliga – Few weeks before
- Champions League – Up to 3 months before (especially knockout games)
- DFB-Pokal – After the draw is announced
For very popular matches like Der Klassiker (Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich), Revierderby (Dortmund vs Schalke) or against top European teams, get your tickets several months in advance before they sell out.
Getting Tickets from Authorized Resellers
If tickets are sold out on the club website, authorized ticket resellers are a safe option. These are companies that have official partnerships with the club to resell excess tickets. Common authorized resellers for German clubs include:
- Viagogo
- LiveFootballTickets
- Ticketbis
They obtain a certain ticket allocation for matches. Here are the steps to buy from an authorized reseller:
- Find their website and search for the match you want.
- Select seat location, number of tickets, proceed to checkout.
- Provide payment details and complete purchase.
- You will receive the ticket by email / on your account.
Benefits of Authorized Resellers
- Get tickets for sold out matches
- Trusted sources with club partnerships
- Convenient delivery of tickets
- Safe and guaranteed tickets
When to Use Authorized Resellers
Use authorized resellers when:
- Tickets are sold out on the club website
- You need tickets at short notice close to matchday
- You want specific seats that are unavailable directly
But expect to pay a premium compared to club prices due to demand. Paying more may be worth it to attend popular matches.
Using General Ticket Reselling Platforms
Sites like Stubhub and Ticketmaster allow fans to resell extra tickets to other fans. Prices are driven by demand, with fees charged by the platform.
Benefits
- Find tickets for hard-to-get matches
- Large selection of ticket listings
- Convenient transfer of tickets
- Refunds available if issues
Risks
- Higher prices than face value
- Potential scams or invalid tickets
- No control over seat location
- Need to collect tickets on matchday
Exercise caution when using general resellers. Vet the seller, check reviews, only use reputable platforms, and beware of deals that seem too good to be true.
Getting Tickets from Ticket Agencies
Ticket agencies are companies that source tickets and sell them as part of travel packages. They purchase tickets in bulk and sell them bundled with accommodation, transportation etc.
Benefits of Using Agencies
- Bundle match tickets along with other arrangements
- Guaranteed tickets for popular matches
- Advice from football trip experts
Downsides
- More expensive than buying just the ticket
- Pre-set packages, less flexibility
- Easier to buy domestic packages
Ticket agencies are best suited for foreign fans who want an all-inclusive experience without hassle. But they come at a higher cost.
Buying from Secondary Markets in Germany
Another option is to buy from ticket touts or scalpers outside the stadium on matchday. This secondary market is active but has risks.
Issues with Secondary Markets
- Overpriced tickets
- Potential scams and fake tickets
- No accountability if issues
- Questionable legality
- No control over seat location
It’s recommended to avoid these secondary markets and only buy from legal sources. But if you have no other choice, be extremely careful.
Joining Fan Clubs to Get Tickets
Active fan clubs of German teams often get ticket allocations for members. Joining these clubs can help access tickets:
- Involve yearly membership fees
- Often have long wait times
- No guarantee of tickets for big games
This option is best for local German fans willing to join fan clubs long-term to attend regular matches. Less suitable for foreign fans on a single trip.
Things to Know About Buying Tickets in Germany
Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Personalized tickets – Most Bundesliga tickets now require name and ID during purchase and entry. This prevents black market reselling.
- Allow time for delivery – Tickets may take days or weeks to arrive by mail. Don’t leave it for last minute.
- Seating sections – Behind the goals is loud and rowdy. Sideline seats offer view of tactics. Upper tiers provide overall atmosphere.
- Schedule – Use the official Bundesliga schedule to confirm match dates during your trip.
- Travel – Factor in enough time to arrive at the stadium via public transport from your accommodation.
Where to Buy Tickets for Popular German Clubs
Here are some details on buying tickets for Germany’s top clubs:
Bayern Munich Tickets
- Stadium – Allianz Arena
- Capacity – 75,000
- Website – fcbayern.com/en/tickets
- Demand – Extremely high. Sell out quickly.
Borussia Dortmund Tickets
- Stadium – Signal Iduna Park
- Capacity – 81,000
- Website – bvb.de/Tickets
- Demand – Very high. Book early.
RB Leipzig Tickets
- Stadium – Red Bull Arena
- Capacity – 47,000
- Website – redbullshop.com
- Demand – Quickly growing. Purchase in advance.
Bayer Leverkusen Tickets
- Stadium – BayArena
- Capacity – 30,000
- Website – bayer04.de/en/info/tickets
- Demand – Moderate. Easier to get except top games.
Eintracht Frankfurt Tickets
- Stadium – Deutsche Bank Park
- Capacity – 51,500
- Website – eintracht.de/en/tickets
- Demand – Strong fan culture. Sell out versus top teams.
How to Get Cheap Tickets
German football tickets are quite fairly priced, cheaper than leagues like Premier League. But there are ways to get cheaper deals:
- Look for club membership discounts and bundles
- Buy in less popular stadium sections
- Attend less in-demand matches like weeknights, vs weaker opponents
- Buy last minute spare tickets that get released
- Choose 2. Bundesliga over Bundesliga matches
Compared to other European leagues, the atmosphere and experience are still excellent even in cheaper seats and matches.
Conclusion
German football provides an amazing experience with packed stadiums and non-stop singing and noise. Fans are passionate and games are top quality. Getting your hands on tickets requires planning ahead, especially for the most popular teams and matches. Buying directly from the club is safest and ensures official guaranteed tickets. If sold out, turn to authorized resellers as the next option. Use general secondary markets with caution, and avoid illegal scalpers. Following these tips will help you securetickets and enjoy one of the best football experiences in the world.
