German Bundesliga football club Bayern Munich will welcome fans to the Allianz Arena for the first time in over a year after it received the green light for 250 supporters to attend Saturday’s match against FC Augsburg.
With COVID-19 infection rates decreasing, the state government in Bavaria has relaxed guidelines on outdoor events ahead of the final match of Bayern’s Bundesliga season.
Bayern has given 100 tickets to healthcare workers, with a further 100 to be given to supporters who are club members. The member tickets will cost €19 (£16.40/$23.21) and will be allocated in a draw on Friday morning, with the proceeds to be given towards the WeKickCorona fundraising campaign, which was launched last year by Bayern players Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
Ten tickets will go the FC Bayern Kids Club, while five tickets each will be given to departing head coach Hansi Flick and the assistant coaches and players that are leaving the club. Remaining tickets will go to individuals close to the club.
Each ticket will be personalised and cannot be reassigned to third parties. Upon entry to the stadium, fans will be required to show a valid form of ID, as well as negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination. Mask-wearing will also be required in the stands.
Saturday’s game will mark the first time since March 8, 2020 that Bayern has welcomed fans to the Allianz Arena. Several Bundesliga clubs did welcome a limited number of fans earlier in the season but COVID-19 restrictions in Bavaria forced Bayern to continue playing matches behind closed doors.
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Even if there are only 250 spectators, it is a first, small step back to the normality we all wish for. We’re very happy we can allow some of our fans to watch the season finale in the stadium. Moreover, our invitation to the heroes of the pandemic is intended as a small gesture of thanks.”
Earlier this week, fellow Bundesliga club Union Berlin was granted permission to welcome 2,000 supporters for its match against RB Leipzig at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday.
The matches in Berlin and Munich will mark the first Bundesliga games with fans since October.
In other news, Bayern has teamed up with club partner Audi to install 21 charging points for electric vehicles at the Allianz Arena. The stadium’s charging infrastructure will be gradually expanded from this summer as Bayern looks to step up its sustainability efforts with Audi.
Bayern has been a partner of Audi since 2002. Bayern claimed a first for world football in September last year as Audi supplied the club with a fleet of fully electric vehicles.
Image: dominik reallife on Unsplash
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