The first appearance of FC Bayern Women at the Allianz Arena in March 2022 marked the start of a new era at Munich’s football cathedral. From the historic debut against Paris Saint-Germain through Klara Bühl’s emotional birthday strike to the hard-fought quarter-final win over Arsenal and the first Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt – now the defending double winners are set to play in Munich’s Fröttmaning district for a fifth time. Well over 50,000 fans are expected against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, making the Allianz Arena once again a stadium of superlatives.
The first appearance of FC Bayern Women at the Allianz Arena in March 2022 marked the start of a new era at Munich’s football cathedral. From the historic debut against Paris Saint-Germain through Klara Bühl’s emotional birthday strike to the hard-fought quarter-final win over Arsenal and the first Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt – now the defending double winners are set to play in Munich’s Fröttmaning district for a fifth time. Well over 50,000 fans are expected against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, making the Allianz Arena once again a stadium of superlatives.
Sometimes it’s not trophies or great victories that make history, but very special moments. The 22nd March 2022 was one of those: when the Munich girls staged a home game at the Allianz Arena for the first time, it was much more than a change of venue. It was a milestone – for the club, for women’s football, for the team’s visibility. 13,000 spectators came to see the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain – and they became witnesses to a special evening. Bayern played with courage, hit the woodwork twice but couldn’t find a way past PSG goalkeeper Barbora Votíková. Then a moment of class: Klara Bühl scored a direct free kick to make it a final score of 2-1 to the Parisians. The result was of secondary importance, though. What mattered was the signal: women’s football belongs on the big stage.
It wasn’t just a gift for Bühl but for all Bayern Women fans: on 7 December 2022, the Allianz Arena again provided a glittering stage for FCB Women in the clash against FC Barcelona. The birthday girl set the course early with a precise strike to open the scoring in the fourth minute, sparking delight among the crowd of 24,000. The atmosphere was electrifying, the performance impressive. Lina Magull responded impressively, not only scoring the second goal but directing play and then setting up the third goal for Lea Schüller with a sumptuous cross. A goal that capped a prestigious win against the Catalans. Bayern produced a performance on this evening that was passionaote, attacking and confident. It was more than a win, it was a powerful statement that left everyone wanting more.
Champions League quarter-finals again, Allianz Arena again, big stage again: in March 2023, Bayern Women hosted Arsenal for the third match at the big stadium in the space of a year. This time 20,000 fans came to support their team – and they weren’t disappointed. Alexander Straus’ side put the visitors from London under pressure from the start, combined well and played with great determination. For a long time they were frustrated by Manuela Zinsberger, herself a former Bayern player, but the resistance was broken with 39 minutes gone, when a precise cross found Schüller, who rose highest to head the ball home. The second half required strength of nerve: Arsenal increased the pressure but the Munich girls held firm and defended valiantly, with goalkeeper Mala Grohs preventing an equaliser with a number of saves. It finished in a narrow but deserved win.
The Munich women wrote another chapter in their history in October 2023 with their maiden Bundesliga fixture at the Allianz Arena. The home crowd of 19,000 set a new record attendance in the Women’s Bundesliga at the time. They saw Bayern control proceedings against Frankfurt for long periods with assured possession and intelligent play, but despite numerous chances they couldn’t find a way past the impressive Stina Johannes in the SGE net. So, an intense encounter full of drama and fighting spirit ended goalless, but the atmosphere inside the Allianz Arena was once again special.
This weekend, the double winners will make their fifth appearance at the Allianz Arena. Around 50,000 spectators have already secured their tickets for what will be another spectacular evening of football at Munich’s football cathedral.
