Mercedes-Benz Arena Sports Fan Tips
Mercedes-Benz Arena is a venue in or near Stuttgart that is most often used for Soccer
Best Bars around Mercedes-Benz Arena?
There are a load of bars around the stadium that you can take your pick from – and while they all sell the same beer and offer similar clientele, the surroundings do differ a bit!'Karlseck' and 'The Police Sports Clubs' are more geared to Stuttgart fans who have been around a while and offer up a real supporter's atmosphere provided by fans who have followed the team for years. In both pubs, there are impressive displays of memorabilia. With past players and past triumphs adorning the walls.For a more modern feel, head to the Tiki themed 'Palm Beach' or the Mexican inspired 'Cancun'. Both places have TV's that show the build up to the game really well, and are good places to stay if you haven't got a ticket to the game.Otherwise you will have to stick to the centre and knock back a few in one of the many Irish bars that dot the streets!
Best Food and Drink at Mercedes-Benz Arena?
The Stuttgart catering isn't anything that will blow you away, though it does have some fan favourites that you would be disappointed if you didn't find. There are 31 kiosks that line the concourses that stop queuing being too much of an issue.At the kiosk's, you can find much as the same fast food you can anywhere in the country – Sausages, Burgers, Pretzels and Fries. There is of course, lots of beer drunk in the stadium – the fact that you can take it to your seat is a big plus!
Best Insider tip at Mercedes-Benz Arena?
Payment for food and drinks at the stadium is by a cashless smartcard. You can get these on the day from around the ground and at the club's shop. You have to put a minimum amount of €10 onto the card to begin with. Don't feel like you have to spend it all though, any remaining credit can be refunded from any sales point after the match.
How do I get to Mercedes-Benz Arena?
Parking at the ground isn't really an option – and those locals who do drive, tend to park their cars a fair way away and walk the remaining distance anyway – thus it seems like the most sensible option is to go by public transport – the cost of which is already included in your ticket!From the main station, you can jump on the metro system (S-Bahn) and ride it nearly all the way. Take the S1 line and ride it to 'Neckarpark' station. From there it's just a 5-minute walk.Stuttgart also has an impressive tram system that also brings fans to the stadium. The S11 tram also goes to 'Neckarpark' station – albeit over ground, placing you just 5 minutes away.
What to expect from the Mercedes-Benz Arena crowd?
The days of VFB Stuttgart winning the Bundesliga with Mario Gomez at the helm are over a decade away and they now find themselves in the second league of German football. This has produced a revolving door of players and managers which really doesn't help the club. The fact that the 60,000-seater stadium is rarely full isn't helpful either.However, a club like Stuttgart won't be down there for long, and the optimism that comes with winning, as they do do in the Bundesliga 2, means that there are plenty of smiles and cheers on a game day.
Best restaurants near Mercedes-Benz Arena?
It's not the most glamorous of meals but sometimes a burger just hits the spot and no other food will do. Enter 'Triple B – Beef Burger Brothers', who have perfected the art of making a damn good burger! Perfect for soaking up all those pilsners!Brenner is a local favourite, that offers up a surprise every time you go there. The reason? The menu changes daily. It's not a very large place, or a very big menu, but the food is packed full of flavour and with a main only being €10 – it's a bargain!It might not be the most German place in the whole of Stuttgart but The Aulde Rouge is a place that you can find some top beers and some great food. It's one of the many Irish bars in the city, but it takes some beating!
Things to check out around Mercedes-Benz Arena?
VFB Stuttgart offer a variety of stadium tours. You can choose from a normal tour that will take you around the vip areas, press rooms as well as pitch side and the dugout at the really good price of just €8.00. The tour is led by a knowledgeable guide and can take around 90 minutes. There is the option to have the tour on a gameday – though the price shoots up to €29! Or you can get your tour led by a legend of the club!Outside of the stadium, there is still plenty to do. Motor racing fans will take delight in going to the Porsche Museum, while Willhema Zoo and Botanical Gardens are perfect for enjoying a day in the sun.
Mercedes-Benz Arena seating?
The stadium has been updated a lot since it's inception and with the last round of updates coming in 2011, the ground is one of the more recent ones in the country. As such it comes with all the perks of a new stadium. Comfortable seats all around the stadium and excellent sight lines from wherever you are. It really does just come down to what kind of experience you want when deciding on where to sit.Unsurprisingly, the most vocal of Stuttgart's fans are to be found in the Canstatter Kurve (North Stand), behind the goal. The Away fans are to be found, somewhat predictably, opposite, in the South-East Corner.There is a wide range of prices as well here – standing tickets behind the goals will cost €15, with seats in the same area a tad more expensive at €21. Otherwise if you want the best views in the East and West stands, you could pay up to €50.