Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

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.

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.

FAQ

Stadion An der Alten Försterei ticket FAQs