Stadium guide · Berlin, Germany
Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Home of 1. FC Union Berlin since 1920
1. FC Union Berlin's home since the club's founding in 1966 — Die Eisernen, the Iron Ones, a nickname dating to the club's working-class roots in the East Berlin metalworking trades. UEFA Category Three classification. The ground is owned by the club via a community-shares model and is the only major German football stadium to have been substantially built by its own supporters.
Capacity
22,012
Opened
1920
Postcode
12555
Stands
4
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History
About Stadion An der Alten Försterei
Stadion An der Alten Försterei opened in 1920 in the Köpenick district of south-east Berlin, on the edge of the Wuhlheide forest from which it takes its name (Alte Försterei means "At the Old Forester's Lodge"). The ground has been home to 1. FC Union Berlin since the club's founding in 1966 and to predecessor clubs before that. The defining episode in the ground's history is the 2008-13 rebuild: facing a Bundesliga licensing crisis and lacking the funds to commission a contractor, the club opened the project up to volunteer labour from its own supporters. More than 2,000 Union fans contributed tens of thousands of unpaid hours to lay terraces, rebuild the main stand and bring the ground up to second-tier German licensing standards. The rebuild is widely regarded as the most distinctive fan-led stadium construction project in modern European football, and the ground has since become a Bundesliga venue following Union's promotion in 2019. Capacity sits at 22,012, of which 18,395 is standing terrace — among the largest standing-only sections in German football.
Seating layout
Stadion An der Alten Försterei seating plan & capacity
The Alten Försterei is unusual among Bundesliga grounds in being predominantly a standing terrace — only the Haupttribüne is all-seater. The Waldseite is the loudest section and is at the heart of the club's identity. UEFA fixtures require the terraces to be temporarily converted to seated configuration, dropping capacity to approximately 18,000. Premium hospitality is concentrated in the Haupttribüne upper.
Waldseite (Forest Side)
Standing terrace along the touchline backing onto the Wuhlheide forest. The spiritual home of Union's most vocal support and the largest single standing section at the ground.
Haupttribüne (Main Stand)
Two-tier all-seater stand opposite the Waldseite. Houses the directors' box, the players' tunnel and the main press tribune. The only seated section at the ground.
Gegengerade (South End)
Standing terrace behind the south goal. Houses the away allocation in a corner section for Bundesliga and European fixtures.
Gegengerade (North End)
Standing terrace behind the north goal. Continues the Waldseite singing section around the curve of the ground.
Getting there
How to get to Stadion An der Alten Försterei
Stadion An der Alten Försterei is at 12555, Berlin, Germany. Match-day travel is busiest from 90 minutes before kick-off — plan to arrive earlier than the gates open if you want to avoid queues.
- Metro / Tram
- Köpenick S-Bahn station (S3) is roughly a 20-minute walk to the north of the ground via Lindenstraße.
- Train
- Berlin Hauptbahnhof is approximately 45-50 minutes by S-Bahn via Ostkreuz and the S3 to Köpenick.
- Bus
- BVG tram 27 from Köpenick S-Bahn stops at Hämmerlingstraße, a short walk from the stadium.
- Walk
- From Köpenick S-Bahn via Lindenstraße: roughly 20 minutes on foot through the Wuhlheide forest paths.
- Drive
- From central Berlin via the A100 and A113 autobahns, take exit 5 (Adlershof) and follow signs to Köpenick.
- Parking
- Matchday parking around the ground is heavily restricted and largely permit-only. The Köpenick S-Bahn station car park and the FEZ Wuhlheide park-and-ride are the most reliable matchday options.
Behind the scenes
Stadion An der Alten Försterei stadium tour
1. FC Union Berlin offer guided tours of the Alten Försterei on selected non-matchdays, covering the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, the Waldseite terrace and the club museum. Bookable through the official 1. FC Union Berlin website.
On match-day
Match-day at Stadion An der Alten Försterei
Gates open 90 minutes before kick-off. The loudest atmosphere is in the Waldseite. The annual Christmas carol singalong at the Alten Försterei — Union fans pack the ground to sing carols by candlelight in late December — is one of the most distinctive matchday rituals in European football. The Berlin derby with Hertha BSC and the Bundesliga visits of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are the loudest fixtures of the season. Concessions accept cash and card.
Stadium facts
Stadion An der Alten Försterei key facts
- Stadion An der Alten Försterei has a capacity of 22,012, of which 18,395 is standing terrace.
- Opened in 1920 on the edge of the Wuhlheide forest in the Köpenick district of south-east Berlin.
- Between 2008 and 2013, more than 2,000 Union supporters volunteered tens of thousands of unpaid hours to rebuild the ground — the most distinctive fan-led stadium project in modern European football.
- The Waldseite (Forest Side) is among the largest standing-only sections in German football.
- The annual Christmas carol singalong is one of the most distinctive matchday rituals in European football.
- The ground is owned by 1. FC Union Berlin via a community-shares ownership model.
Tickets
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Beyond match-days
Concerts & live events at Stadion An der Alten Försterei
Beyond the football calendar, Berlin stages concerts, tours and live events across its arenas and venues. Browse what's on, all backed by the 100% Buyer Guarantee.
FAQ
Stadion An der Alten Försterei — frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of Stadion An der Alten Försterei?
Stadion An der Alten Försterei has a capacity of 22,012 and is the home of 1. FC Union Berlin. The ground first opened in 1920.
Where is Stadion An der Alten Försterei?
Stadion An der Alten Försterei is in Berlin, Germany. The postcode is 12555. The most common transit option is the Köpenick S-Bahn station (S3).
What stands does Stadion An der Alten Försterei have?
Stadion An der Alten Försterei has 4 stands: Waldseite (Forest Side), Haupttribüne (Main Stand), Gegengerade (South End), Gegengerade (North End).
What is the postcode for Stadion An der Alten Försterei?
The postcode for Stadion An der Alten Försterei is 12555. Berlin, Germany.
Where can I park at Stadion An der Alten Försterei?
Matchday parking around the ground is heavily restricted and largely permit-only. The Köpenick S-Bahn station car park and the FEZ Wuhlheide park-and-ride are the most reliable matchday options.
Are there Stadion An der Alten Försterei stadium tours?
1. FC Union Berlin offer guided tours of the Alten Försterei on selected non-matchdays, covering the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, the Waldseite terrace and the club museum. Bookable through the official 1. FC Union Berlin website.
Are Stadion An der Alten Försterei tickets on Anyseats authentic?
Yes. Every Stadion An der Alten Försterei ticket on Anyseats is sourced from a verified seller against the lead booker name before delivery. Listings that fail verification never go live. All orders are backed by our 100% Buyer Guarantee — full refund automatically if you're denied entry, the fixture is cancelled outright, or postponed without rescheduling.
When will my Stadion An der Alten Försterei tickets arrive?
Most tickets are delivered electronically within five days of the fixture. The latest delivery window is 24 hours before kick-off. You'll receive an email and SMS the moment your tickets are ready.
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