Watching a football match in Berlin: Hertha, Union and tickets

Berlin has two big football clubs and two very different ways of going to the stadium. Hertha BSC play at the Olympiastadion, an Olympic stadium of over 74,000 seats where you can almost always find a ticket. 1. FC Union Berlin play at the Alte Försterei, at the edge of a forest in Köpenick, in a small 22,012-capacity ground that is nearly always sold out. This guide explains where and how to book, how to get there and what to know at the gate. Information observed in October 2026; fixtures and prices change from match to match.

Hertha or Union: which to choose?

Hertha BSC, in the 2. Bundesliga (second division) in 2026-27, play at the Olympiastadion, built for the 1936 Games. Tickets are easy to find, often until the day before and sometimes on matchday. Expect from €18.50 for the cheapest (starting prices shown on berlin.de) up to about €75 for the most in-demand matches.
1. FC Union Berlin, in the Bundesliga, play at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Köpenick. It holds 22,012 people, 18,395 of them standing, and the atmosphere is famous. Tickets go first to club members: for a visitor the chances of getting a seat are slim, except for a less sought-after match.

If you simply want to see a match in a big stadium, choose Hertha. If atmosphere matters most, try Union but have a plan B.

Inside the Olympiastadion in Berlin, home of Hertha BSC

Hertha BSC at the Olympiastadion

The stadium is at the end of the U2 line (Olympia-Stadion station), then a five-minute walk; the S-Bahn (Olympiastadion) also works. Gates open about 90 minutes before kick-off. Confirmed home matches at the date of this article: Sunday 11 October 2026 at 13:30 against Greuther Fürth, Saturday 24 October at 13:00 against Arminia Bielefeld, Saturday 7 November at 20:30 against Wolfsburg. Tickets are sold on the club's official ticket shop, as mobile tickets or print-at-home. If you can't see a match, the Olympiastadion visit lets you see the arena on non-match days.

Union Berlin at the Alte Försterei

The simplest way from the centre: S-Bahn S3 to Köpenick, then about 15 minutes' walk through the woods. Gates open about two hours before the match. Tickets are sold by the club, with priority to members: the few places for the general public go fast. One rule to remember: a ticket bought on an unofficial resale platform can be cancelled; only the club's own ticket exchange is recognised. If you have the choice, take a seat: the standing terraces are for those who know the chants.

Rules at the gate

Bags: small ones (roughly A4); backpacks are refused at the Alte Försterei. A paid cloakroom exists at both stadiums (roughly €4 to €5).
Drinks: no glass bottles; at the Olympiastadion no plastic bottles either, cartons up to 1 litre are tolerated.
Payment: cards and cash are generally accepted, but the cloakroom and kiosks vary; keep some cash.
Eating and drinking: a grilled Bratwurst and a beer are the classic snack; see also Currywurst and döner in Berlin.

Other sports in Berlin

Basketball (Alba Berlin) and ice hockey (Eisbären Berlin) play at the big Uber Arena near the East Side Gallery; Füchse Berlin handball is played at the Max-Schmeling-Halle. Tickets for these sports are easier to get than for Union. Check the clubs' websites for fixtures.

Marathon and big events at the stadium

The Olympiastadion also hosts concerts and finals: the German Cup final is played there every year. To run rather than watch, see our guide to the Berlin marathon.