Visiting Stuttgart for a Game?

Stuttgart Airport (STR) sits approximately 13 km south of the city center, making it one of Germany's more conveniently located major airports. The fastest option into town is the S-Bahn: lines S2 and S3 depart from the underground Flughafen/Messe station beneath the terminals and reach Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in around 27 minutes, with trains running every 10–15 minutes during the day for a two-zone fare of roughly €4. Taxis and Uber are available outside the terminals and reach the city center in 16–25 minutes depending on traffic, typically costing €35–55.

Stuttgart's public transit network — operated under the VVS umbrella — combines the S-Bahn commuter rail with the Stadtbahn (locally labeled U-Bahn), a light rail system running both underground in the center and at surface level in outer neighborhoods; together they cover the city comprehensively and a car is unnecessary for match days. The Stadtbahn's U11 line is particularly useful for sports fans, as it connects the city center directly to the Neckarpark stadium district in Bad Cannstatt. Uber and taxis are readily available for late-night returns after games, and tickets can be purchased at station vending machines or via the VVS or DB apps.

For the best balance of access to VfB Stuttgart's MHPArena and city-center nightlife, Stuttgart-Mitte (the city center) is the top choice — it puts you on the Stadtbahn grid and a short ride from Bad Cannstatt, with mid-range hotels typically running €90–160 per night and higher-end options like the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin near Hauptbahnhof pushing above €200. Budget-conscious fans can stay directly in Bad Cannstatt, the borough where the MHPArena sits, with options like the B&B Hotel Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt offering affordable rates and easy transit access. For match weekends, book well in advance — Stuttgart is a busy trade-fair city and hotels fill up fast. The Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart Neckarpark, located literally within the Neckarpark events district and within walking distance of the MHPArena, is the most stadium-adjacent option for die-hard fans.

VfB Stuttgart is a five-time Bundesliga champion with a passionate supporter culture anchored by the Cannstatter Kurve, the standing terrace that holds roughly 8,000 ultras and generates some of the loudest atmospheres in German football. The MHPArena has a remarkable pedigree — it is the only venue in Europe to have hosted multiple World Cup, European Championship, and European Cup/Champions League Final matches — so even the stadium itself is a piece of football history worth absorbing. The entire Neckarpark sports district around the arena also includes the Porsche-Arena and Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, making it a genuine multi-event hub where concerts and other sports events run throughout the year. Beyond football, Stuttgart hosts the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix annually, and the nearby Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum give the motorsport-inclined fan plenty to do on non-match days.