Best Insider tip at HDI Arena?

HDI Arena is a venue in Hannover

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 clubs shop. You have to put a minimum of €20 onto the card that includes a €3 deposit. Don't worry though, the €3 and any remaining credit can be refunded from any sales point after the match.

Instead of taking your car or public transportation I recommend getting to Hanover Central Station and then walking towards the stadium. It is about a 20 to 30-minute walk, but you will be surrounded by numerous football fans taking the same route. There is a great amount of pubs on the way towards the stadium and you will find fellow football enthusiasts all around you. It is a great thing to do, get your home team's colors on (although they officially are black-white-green, every fan traditionally will be dressed red) and join in on the fun!

Confusingly for a team with a green logo, Hannover play in red and green is the colour of hated rivals Wolfsburg, so don't get confused. They have a fan friendship with Hamburg - both teams are called HSV in German, which seems as good a reason as any to be mates - and one of the worst club anthems in Germany. Try not to laugh at "Hannover 96 - Alte Liebe” before the game, because the locals won't take it kindly.