Max-Morlock-Stadion

Max-Morlock-Stadion, at first called Städtisches Stadion and also known as Frankenstadion and Stadion Nürnberg, got built between 1926 and 1928. It could initially hold about 50,000 spectators.

The ground was a project of local architect Otto Ernst Schweizer. Its most characteristic feature was its octagonal shape, which it still has and makes it the only of its kind in Germany

In the 1930s, the ground and surroundings became an notable rally ground of the Nazi Party and in particular the Hitler Youth. Directly after the War, the ground then turned into a sports field used by the US Army.

Few football was played at the ground in its first decades. 1. FC Nürnberg kept playing at their Spielstätte am Zabo ground, and only in 1963 made the move to the larger Städtisches Stadion.

In the next few years, the ground got gradually expanded, resulting in a capacity of about 75,000 by 1971. The city of Nürnberg, although, passed on the chance to further modernise the ground and become a host city of the 1974 World Cup.

Städtisches Stadion underwent a large major renovation between 1987 and 1991, which included the Building work on a roof, but also reduced capacity to just over 50,000. It got subsequently renamed Frankenstadion.

Frankenstadion was further renovated in 2004 and 2005 in preparation of the 2006 World Cup. Throughout the World Cup, it staged four group matches and the round of 16 match between Portugal and Holland (1-0).

Right after the World Cup the ground got renamed again, this time to easyCredit-Stadion as a result of a sponsorship deal. This deal expired in 2012, after that a new deal resulted in Grundig Stadion, which ended in 2016, following which the ground took on the name Stadion Nürnberg.

In 2017, the ground was renamed Max-Morlock-Stadion after the former Nurnberg player following a crowdfunding campaign in corporation with the Consorsbank, which had secured the naming rights of the ground.

(images of the current Stadion Nürnberg below)

Max-Morlock-Stadion is part of an attractive area of parks, lakes, recreation facilities, and the city's conference centre. The area is of particular historic interest because of its past as an notable Nazi rally ground. The adjacent Zeppelinfeld is one of the remains from the era.

It is a pleasant area to spend time in, especially on a nice day. Several beer gardens on the edges of the park which are well-known with fans for a drink. There are in addition a few fast food restaurants on the other side of the S-Bahn station and pop-up stalls around the ground for a quick bite.

Several hotels around the conference centre (Messe), which are at a short walk of Max-Morlock-Stadion, including ARVENA Hotel and a Mercure. The Ramada Parkhotel is also still at a short walk while closer to the old town centre.

Use the linked guides for an overview of hotels near Max-Marlock-Stadion and here for other options in Nuremberg.

Admission for FC Nürnberg matches are sold online, at the Service-Center at Max-Morlock-Stadion, at the Fan-Shop at the Josephplatz 4 (old town), or at the Fan-Shop at Nürnberg's training ground (Valznerweiherstraße 200).

Nurnberg's attendances are amongst the highest in the 2. Bundesliga, but they don't sell out more than one or two matches per season.

Expect to pay between €22.00 for an upper-tier seat behind the goal and €46.00 for a central seat at the main stand. A ticket for the standing areas costs €14.00.

Further details are available by email at service-center@fcn.de or call +49 (0) 911 21 73 333.

Max-Morlock-Stadion offers guided venue tours that visit the VIP and press areas, control room, mixed zone, dressing rooms, and police cells. The tour lasts 75 minutes.

Tours run usually once a week on Thursday late afternoon between April and October.

Check online for the current schedule, bookings are not required. Further details are available by email at info@stadion-nuernberg.de or call +49 911 81 86 235.

The tour price is €7.00.