Stadion an der Alten Försterei, 1. FC Union Berlin
Source: Lear 21, Licence: GNU FDL
Overview
- Club name: 1. FC Union Berlin
- Ground name: Stadion an der Alten Försterei
- Year ground opened: 1920
- Capacity: 21,717
- Web Site: http://www.fc-union-berlin.de/
The Stadion an der Alten Försterei
The Stadion an der Alten Försterei, which roughly translates to 'Stadium at the old forester's house', is actually Berlin's biggest pure football venue, although it can accomodate only 21,717 spectators. This is due, of course, to the Olympiastadion being an all-seater with a race outer track, but still it's something you maybe would not expect.
The original ground at the same location was opened in 1920 and initially had the name 'Sadowa-Platz' or 'Sportplatz Sadowa', after a nearby popular countryside inn, over the years the name changed to what it still is today and the stadium underwent several renovations, which ultimately resulted in a stadium with terraces on three sides, all without cover, and a small, covered seating-only main stand as well as floodlight. Fun fact: the seats for the main stand were discarded seats from the renovation of the Olympiastadion.
Even with the floodlights and the new main stand, the stadium did not meet the requirements put forth by the DFB, the German FA and plans were made to upgrade the stadium. Various difficulties delayed this process but in 2008, work began for a first construction phase, which lasted a year. 2,000 volunteers contributed an impressive 140,000 man hours during this phase! During a second phase, started in May 2012, the new main stand was errected.
Nowadays, the Stadion an der Alten Försterei is a pretty footballing venue with three fully covered, connected stands from north over east (opposite main) stand the souths. These three stands are terraced, except a small section in the south, where seats for visiting supporters are located. The main stand is on its own, with both corners being open, and is a bit bigger than the rest of stadium, although it is only single-tiered as well. In the back, however, there are two stories of executive boxes.
Union supporters are located on the north stand, also called 'Waldseite', visiting supporters are located on the south stand ('Wuhleseite').
How To Get There...
By Car & Where To Park
If you come by car, the address of the Stadion an der Alten Försterei is "An der Wuhlheide 263, 12555 Berlin".
In Berlin, as in any major city, you're better of with public transportation, so I strongly recommend to park your care somewhere in the city and just use public transportation. If you have to go the stadium by car, you can try to find parking spaces along 'An der Wuhlheide', there are basically no parking spaces available directly at the stadium.
By Public Transportation
From Berlin main station, take the S-Bahn S-Bahn S3 direction 'Erkner' and exit at 'Köpenick'. Leave the station and walk into the direction you came from into 'Am Bahndamm' and take the first left into 'Hämelingstraße', then the first right into Friedenstraße', which takes you directly to the stadium. Travel time from the main station Köpenick is a bit more than half an hour, from Köpenick it's just a bit more than half a mile towards the stadium.
If you come from another part of Berlin, just use any of the many possibilities to get to 'Ostkreuz', then take the S3 direction 'Erkner' from there; if you are handicapped, it is preferable to rather change trains at Ostbahnhof, as Ostkreuz is currently undergoing major renovations.
If you arrive at Schönefeld airport, take S-Bahn S9 direction Westkreuz or S45 direction Westend until 'Schöneweide', then change into tram 67 or 63 (handicapped) direction 'Krankenhaus Köpenick' and exit at Alte Försterei, basically directly opposite the stadium.
Walking directions
Walking does not make sense here. Adhere to the public transportation route above.
Admission price
These are normal ticket prices for the 2. Bundesliga in season 2014/15, just for your orientation. You can see the category locations on the stadium plan.
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Standing places:
- Sektor 2 - 11 €
- Sektor 3 - 13 €
- Sektor 4 - 12 €
- Sektor 5 - 12 €
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Seats:
- Sektor 1, Kategorie 1 - 40 €
- Sektor 1, Kategorie 2 - 36 €
- Sektor 1, Kategorie 3 - 32 €
- Sektor 1, Kategorie 4 - 28 €
- Sektor 5 - 25 €
Last updated 06.10.2014
Average Attendance
The Stadion an der Alten Försterei is not a huge standard by modern standards, but with a capacity of about 21,000 spectators it is in the midfield of stadia in the 2. Bundesliga. In recent seasons, a varying number of matches have been sold out, with the highest number being 8, meaning one game more than half of all matches.
Thus, you should usually be able to order match tickets online through Unions's own ticket shop.
- Season 2013/14: 19,889 (91.6%)
- Season 2012/13: 17,102 (78.7%)
- Season 2011/12: 16,160 (74.4%)
- Season 2010/11: 14,184 (65.3%)
Last updated 09.11.2014, Source: http://www.transfermarkt.de/
Photos
Coming soon.