Olympiastadion

The Olympiastadion was constructed between 1934 and 1936 to serve as the centrepiece of the 1936 Olympics. It was formally inaugurated on the 1st of August 1936 with the Olympic opening ceremony. Most notable event throughout the Games were the four gold medals of African-American track and field athlete Jesse Owens.

The ground remained largely unchanged until it underwent a significant refurbishment in 1972 and 1973, mainly aimed at preparing the ground for the upcoming 1974 World Cup. The works included the Building work on two roofs over the upper tiers of both long sides.

Throughout the World Cup, Olympiastadion staged three matches in the first group stage.

The ground had significantly aged by the 1990s and the city of Berlin as a result started a debate over its future. Voices went up to rebuilt it as a football-specific stadium, but in the end was chosen to renovate it instead and keep its status as a multi-purpose stadium.

Little after that decision had been made, the ground was awarded the final of the 2006 World Cup as part of the German bid.

The refurbishment of the Olympiastadion involved the complete reBuilding work on the lower tier and the installation of a new roof. Works were completed in 2004, and the ground was reopened with a friendly international match between Germany and Brazil (1-1).

Throughout the 2006 World Cup, the Olympiastadion staged four group matches, a quarter-final, and the final between Italy and France (1-1).

In 2015, the ground was the venue for the Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus (3-1).

In 2016, Hertha BSC presented plans to build their own new arena, being unhappy at the too large non-football Olympiastadion. They hope to build the Hertha Fussballarena with a capacity of 55,000 next to the Olympiastadion.

(images of the current Olympiastadion below)

Olympiastadion is situated in the west of Berlin, almost 7 kilometres from the western end of the Kurfürstendamm, and 10 kilometres from the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin's main railway station (Hauptbahnhof). It is part of the Olympic Park, which includes other sports facilities.

The ground can be without difficulty reached by metro (U-Bahn). Take either line U2 or U12, which both can be boarded at several points in the downtown area. Get off at stop Olympia-Stadion. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the ground from Potsdamer Platz, and about 15 minutes from Zoologische Garten.

Alternatively, you can get to the ground by commuter rail (S-Bahn). Take either line S5 or S75 to station Olympiastadion. Both lines link the ground with Berlin's significant railway stations in the centre, as well with station Spandau in the west.

Address: Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin

Olympiastadion is situated in a green area of parks and sports facilities, which is a pleasant surrounding on a nice summer day. There is not a whole lot around in terms of dining and drinks apart from a local beer garden and restaurant. Several more restaurants a half-an-hour walk away near metro station Theodor-Heuss-Platz, but there's of course no lack of options elsewhere in Berlin.

There are neither a whole lot of hotels close to the Olympiastadion. Michels Apart Hotel is the closest, a short walk away, Alecsa Hotel is a budget alternative a bit farther away, and Ivbergs Messehotel is also still just a a short walk.

Use the linked guides To browse hotels close to the Olympiastadion. Of course, there are also tons of other options elsewhere in Berlin.

Admission for Hertha BSC games are sold online (print@home), by phone +49 (0) 30-300 928 1892 (Ticket Hotline), or at one of Hertha's seven fanshops. Of these fanshops, the ones at the Olympiastadion, Breitscheidplatz, Mall of Berlin, and Hauptbahnhof are the most conveniently located.

Hertha only sell out two or three high-profile matches per year. Tickets may not always be sold on the day of the match though, and it is as a result advised to buy them in advance at minimum one day before the match.

Hertha BSC have divided their home matches into three pricing categories. Admission for a category 3 match, the cheapest, range in price from €17.00 for a seat behind the goal to €46.00 for a seat at the main stand. Admission for category 1 matches, the most expensive, cost between €33.00 and €96.00. Admission for the Ostkurve fans section go for a flat €15.00, but are generally not available on general sale.

The Olympiastadion offers various options for venue tours. The first is to follow a route around the ground at your own pace, possibly aided with an audioguide.

The ground opens from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the winter months) for visits. Entrance costs €7.00. Advance booking is not required

Alternatively, the ground offers guided venue tours (only in German) that include more parts of the ground, and last 60 to 75 minutes.

These tours run every day in the summer months at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm (and an extra one at 5:00 pm throughout the summer holidays). In the winter months they only run at 11:00 am. The tour price is €11.00, and can be booked online.

Hertha BSC also offer special Hertha tours that cover the club grounds outside of the ground. These tours run between April and October on selected dates and cost €11.00.