Olympiastadion Berlin
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA
- Capacity
- 74,475
- Year opened
- 1936
- Club
- Hertha BSC
- Country
- Germany
Overview
About the stadium
The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is one of the most historically significant sports arenas in the world. It was designed by architect Werner March and built between 1934 and 1936 for the summer Olympic Games, which the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler intended to use as a propaganda showcase of Aryan superiority. However, reality played out differently: African American sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals on the Berlin track, and his performances became a lasting symbol of triumph over racial ideology through sport. After World War II, the stadium survived as one of the few monumental Nazi constructions and gradually became a vibrant hub for both sports and culture. A thorough renovation from 2000 to 2004 brought a modern roof over the stands while preserving the original stone character of the building; the stadium's capacity today stands at 74,475 seats.
The sporting legacy of the Olympic Stadium is extraordinary. In 1974, it hosted matches of the football World Cup. The pinnacle moment of the new era came during the 2006 World Cup final, when Italy defeated France in a penalty shootout 5:3 after a 1:1 draw. The match is still remembered for the incident where French captain Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in extra time and was sent off — in the last match of his career. In 2015, the stadium hosted the Champions League final, in which Barcelona beat Juventus 3:1.
Today, the Olympic Stadium is the home of Hertha BSC and annually hosts the DFB-Pokal final. Its monumental architecture, complete with an athletic oval and a panoramic view of the Berlin forests, ranks it among the most recognizable stadiums in Europe and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the German capital.
History
Journey through time
The Olympic Stadium was built as a flagship of Nazi propaganda — Adolf Hitler and his regime hoped that the Berlin Olympics in 1936 would showcase the superiority of the Aryan race to the world. Reality unfolded differently: African American sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals on the Berlin track — in the 100m sprint, long jump, 200m, and the 4×100m relay — and his performances became an iconic symbol of defeating racial ideology through sport. After World War II, the stadium was located in the British occupation zone and unlike other Nazi monuments, it was not demolished; it became a place for both sports and cultural events. In 1974, several matches of the football World Cup were held here. At the turn of the millennium, the stadium underwent a significant transformation: renovations from 2000 to 2004 brought modern roofing for the stands, reduced capacity to the current 74,475 seats, and preserved the original monumental character of the structure. The grand reopening took place in July 2004. A landmark moment in the new era of the stadium was the 2006 World Cup final, when Italy defeated France 5:3 in a penalty shootout after a 1:1 draw. The match is also remembered for the dramatic moment when French captain Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in extra time and was sent off — in the last match of his career. In 2015, the stadium hosted the Champions League final, in which FC Barcelona defeated Juventus Turin 3:1.
Clubs & teams
Atmosphere
Matchday
The Olympic Stadium has been home to Hertha BSC since 1963, and Berlin fans consider it their fortress, though the massive dimensions of the arena can sometimes feel daunting during less well-attended league matches. The atmosphere truly ignites during the DFB-Pokal final, held here regularly since 1985 — at that time, Berlin transforms into the cup capital, with fans from all over Germany filling every corner of the stadium. International concerts can also transform the athletic oval into a place of unique intensity: The Rolling Stones, Madonna, U2, Robbie Williams, Depeche Mode, and Coldplay have all graced the Berlin stands. The acoustics of the large space, combined with light shows and tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators, create an atmosphere that few stadiums can match. The sense of place adds a special dimension — the audience sits where Jesse Owens rewrote history in 1936, and where one of the most dramatic football finals of all time unfolded in 2006.
Practical info
Visiting the stadium
The Olympic Stadium is located in the Westend district of Berlin, approximately ten kilometers from the city center. The most convenient option is to arrive by S-Bahn train — lines S5 and S75 stop directly at the Olympic Stadium station, from where it is a five-minute walk to the stadium. Alternatively, the U2 subway station Olympia-Stadion (East) is about a ten-minute walk away. The stadium is open for tours year-round; admission includes access to the historical exhibition dedicated to the 1936 Olympic Games and the development of the building itself — visitors can thus connect the architectural experience with a deeper context. The view from the stands is exceptional, as the arena's terrain is lower than the surrounding ground level. Nearby the stadium stands the Glockenturm — a bell tower, which visitors can climb for a panoramic view of both the stadium and the forests of Grunewald in the background.
Video
Stadium in motion
Map
Where to find the stadium
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Berlín, Germany
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