One of the most common questions from international football fans planning a German trip is: how hard is it to get Bundesliga tickets as a tourist? The good news is that it is significantly easier than at Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A clubs. Most Bundesliga clubs sell tickets directly online to anyone — no membership card, no prior purchase history required.
This guide walks you through the complete process for buying Bundesliga tickets as an international visitor, including which clubs are easiest and hardest to get into, and how to avoid the expensive third-party resale traps.
The Basic Rule: Buy Direct From the Club
Every Bundesliga club operates an official online ticket shop. Most of them sell tickets to international visitors without requiring a fan membership (Mitgliedschaft). Unlike the Premier League, where you often need a history of previous purchases, the Bundesliga’s official ticketing is generally open to first-time buyers.
Prices are dramatically lower than equivalent football in England or Spain:
- Standing (Stehplatz): €12–€25 at most clubs
- Seated lower tier: €20–€50 for most games
- Seated upper tier / away end: €15–€35
- Premium/hospitality: €80–€200+
Ticket Availability by Club
Easiest Clubs for Tourists
These clubs regularly have tickets available online for purchase without any prior relationship:
- FC Augsburg — WWK Arena rarely sells out. Tickets available on the official site right up to matchday for most games. An excellent first Bundesliga experience.
- VfL Bochum — Compact, friendly, and accessible. Vonovia Ruhrstadion has standing terraces and a genuine Ruhr atmosphere.
- Mainz 05 — Mewa Arena has a great atmosphere and tickets are usually available without any issue. A Bundesliga hidden gem.
- SC Freiburg — Europa-Park Stadion is a modern, excellent-value ground. Easy to get tickets for most matches.
- Werder Bremen— Weserstadion by the river is one of Germany’s most atmospheric grounds. Most home games have tickets available online.
Moderate Difficulty
- Bayer Leverkusen — BayArena sells out more now that Leverkusen have become a regular title contender. Book 3–4 weeks out for major games.
- RB Leipzig — Red Bull Arena regularly fills up for top-half opposition. Tickets available for mid-table fixtures.
- Eintracht Frankfurt — Deutsche Bank Park tickets are available for most games but European and top fixtures sell quickly. Book early for marquee matches.
Hardest Clubs for Tourists
- Borussia Dortmund — The famous Yellow Wall standing tickets require a Dauerkarte (season ticket) or sell out within minutes of going on general sale. Seated tickets are more available but top games sell out fast. Book as early as possible — months in advance for Klassiker or Revierderby.
- Bayern Munich — Allianz Arena tickets for Champions League games and top-half opponents require early booking. Mid-table Bundesliga fixtures still have tickets available 1–2 weeks out. Use the official FC Bayern ticket shop and set up an alert.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy Bundesliga Tickets Online
Step 1: Check the Fixture List
Start with the BundesTrip schedules page to see upcoming fixtures for your travel dates across all competitions. Confirm the exact date, kick-off time, and that the game is a home fixture for the club you want to visit.
Step 2: Go to the Official Club Ticket Shop
Find the club’s team page on BundesTrip (e.g., Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen) and follow the ticket link to the official shop. Every team page has a direct link to the official ticketing system.
Step 3: Create an Account
Most German club ticket shops require a free account. Use a real email address — your tickets and QR codes will be sent there. Fill in your details accurately (passport-matching names are required for some clubs and European games).
Step 4: Select Your Seat Category
German stadiums are divided into blocks. As a tourist, the key categories are:
- Stehplatz (Standing): Cheapest, loudest, most authentic. Not available in European competitions (UEFA requires all-seater for European games).
- Sitzplatz (Seated): All the tiers from lower to upper. Tends to be quieter than standing.
- Gästeblock (Away section): If you are supporting the visiting team, you must buy in the away section. Trying to enter the home end as an away fan will result in ejection.
Step 5: Download Your Ticket
German clubs use digital tickets via their official apps or PDF download. Make sure you:
- Download the official club app before your trip
- Save the ticket offline in case of poor mobile signal at the stadium
- Check whether your ticket includes public transport (many do for Bundesliga matches)
Avoiding Resale Scams and Overpriced Tickets
Third-party ticket resellers charge significant markups on Bundesliga tickets. Sites like StubHub, Viagogo, and similar platforms may list tickets at 3–10x face value for popular games. The safest approach is always the official club website.
For sold-out games, legitimate options include:
- DFB fan token system — some clubs have an official waiting list or ballot system for sold-out games. Check the club website.
- Official club resale platforms — many Bundesliga clubs have official fan ticket exchanges where season ticket holders can sell unused tickets at face value. These are run by the clubs themselves and are safe.
- Pick a different game. The Bundesliga has 306 fixtures per season and most of them are not sold out. If your first choice is unavailable, use BundesTrip to find an alternative fixture in the same city on the same weekend.
European Competition Tickets
If a German club is playing in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League, tickets are sold through the club’s own shop but the process can differ:
- European games are all-seater — no standing tickets available
- Away allocation is managed by UEFA and the visiting club
- Some clubs prioritise members for European tickets — check the club’s FAQ
- Prices tend to be higher than Bundesliga games, especially for knockout rounds
That said, European group stage games (September–December) often have good availability, especially for less glamorous opponents.
DFB-Pokal (German Cup) Tickets
The DFB-Pokal is an excellent alternative when Bundesliga tickets are hard to find. The format is a direct knockout from the first round in August through to the final in Berlin in May. Tickets for Bundesliga clubs in the early rounds are almost always available and very cheap.
The Final in Berlin is the one exception — the DFB-Pokal final is a major event and tickets are ballot-based, allocated only to fans of the two competing clubs.
Attending Matches: Practical Tips
- Arrive 45–60 minutes before kick-off. German stadium entry is well organised but queues at turnstiles can build up in the final 20 minutes. Arriving early also lets you enjoy the fan zone.
- No large bags or backpacks. Most German stadiums enforce a strict bag policy. A small transparent bag or no bag at all is safest.
- Cash is still king at many German concession stands. Bring some euros for beer, bratwurst, and merchandise even if your ticket was bought online.
- Respect the choreography. If you are in the standing section, ultra groups often distribute cards or scarves for pre-match choreography. Participate — it is part of the culture.
- Your match ticket likely includes public transport. Check the back of your ticket PDF or the club website. This is standard for Bundesliga matches in most cities.
Planning Your Fixtures with BundesTrip
Once you know your travel dates, BundesTrip will show you all available fixtures across 7 competitions and suggest multi-city itineraries based on real Deutsche Bahn travel times. Each team page links directly to the official club ticket shop, so you go straight from fixture planning to ticket purchase without any detour.
Start with the clubs you want to see — browse the Bundesliga team list or the fixtures page — and build your trip from there.