MEWA Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

The MEWA Arena is located about four kilometres from Mainz city centre and the main railway station — far enough that walking is close to an hour, making public transport nearly essential.

The cleanest option is Tram Line 53, which runs directly from Mainz Hauptbahnhof (alight at Mainz Hbf West/Taubertsbergbad, then ride to Bretzenheim, Hochschule Mainz). The tram departs every 10 minutes and the journey takes around 8–9 minutes. From the Hochschule Mainz stop, the stadium is an 8–9 minute walk. On match days, shuttle buses also run between the railway station and the stadium in both directions — these fill up fast, so get there early. Alternatively, bus lines 54, 55, or 58 from the Hauptbahnhof stop at Kisselberg/Coface Deutschland, approximately 5–10 minutes away depending on traffic.

A useful bonus: match tickets include free public transport, so just take the bus or tram from the main station and follow the crowd.

From Frankfurt Airport (FRA): The nearest major airport is Frankfurt, about 40km away, with a regular direct rail connection to Mainz Hauptbahnhof taking 20–30 minutes. From there, take the tram or shuttle bus to the ground — total travel time from the airport gate to the stadium is roughly 45–60 minutes.

By Car: Take the A60 motorway and exit at junction 19, Mainz-Fintheim. For rideshare, Uber and Bolt both serve Mainz; drop-off is possible near the stadium perimeter, but on big matchdays drivers will often stop 500–600 metres short on Eugen-Salomon-Straße. Don't count on being picked up exactly outside the gates post-game — more on that below.

There are no car parking spaces at the MEWA Arena itself. Away fans arriving by car can park in the free park-and-ride car park at the Messe (Genfer Allee, 55129 Mainz), from which numerous shuttle buses run to the stadium. This is the officially designated away-fan option and it works well — arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff to get a spot and have time to ride the shuttle without stress.

Note that Mainz has an environmental zone (Umweltzone) that requires a green sticker; the Messe car park is not affected by this restriction. If you're driving a rental car or a foreign-registered vehicle, double-check your sticker situation before heading into the city core.

For wheelchair users, the barrier-free car park P6 has reserved spaces, which can be requested in advance via the Disabled Fans' Representative at behindertenfanbeauftragter@mainz05.de, with a blue European parking permit required.

The best place to base yourself before a Mainz match is the city centre, not close to the stadium. Mainz is a wonderful city packed with bars and restaurants, particularly around the railway station and along the central stretch of Große Langgasse.

Hotels cluster around Mainz Hauptbahnhof, starting with the AC Hotel Mainz right on Bahnhofplatz; the Königshof and Schottenhof offer lower mid-range options that have been accommodating rail travellers for decades. On the other side of the railway bridge — which the stadium bus passes over — the InterCity Hotel Mainz offers attractive advance-booking rates. Staying near the station means you're within two minutes of the tram stop, which is all you need here. Budget travellers should look at hostels in the Altstadt (old town) near the Dom; it's a 10-minute walk to the station and the neighbourhood is lively enough to kill a Saturday evening properly.

Avoid booking out near the stadium itself — there's almost nothing there except fields and a university. You'd be paying for inconvenience.

The honest answer is: drink in town, not near the ground.

Eisgrub-Bräu (Weißliliengasse, city centre) — This popular pre-match spot serves its own house beer in three- and five-metre towers, and sausages by the metre. It gets packed on matchdays and rightfully so; this is where you want to be two hours before kickoff. Expect standing room only for big games.

Onkel Willy's Pub (Binger Straße 5) — Near the station, it's a treasure trove of Hollywood and 05 kitsch, with table football and pool at the back. It's a laid-back, slightly chaotic pre-match option where away fans don't feel out of place.

Hafeneck (near the Rhine) — This bohemian spot near the Rhine still attracts a fair few 05 fans and has a more relaxed, local crowd than the tourist-facing bars closer to the Dom. Good for a quieter pint if the pre-match scene feels too frenetic.

Hasekaste (at the stadium) — The Croatian-run Hasekaste, where the main stand meets the home end, takes its inspiration from the original Haasekessel fan pub at the old Stadion am Bruchweg. It's the one option actually at the ground worth visiting — open daily, with Balkan food, a beer garden, and atmosphere that starts building hours before kickoff. Away fans can mix in here pre-game without much trouble.

Rucksacks and bags larger than 30cm × 30cm × 15cm may not be brought into the stadium but can be deposited free of charge at the entrance. Fanny packs, gym bags, and stadium bags are not affected by this rule. Essentially: if it fits in a day bag within those dimensions, you're fine. Anything bigger goes into the free cloakroom — budget a few extra minutes if you're checking something.

Gates and the box office open two hours before kickoff. Get there within the first 30 minutes of opening if you want to pick your spot in the away end without a queue. Away fans are typically located behind one of the goals, with the usual allocation around 3,500 supporters entering through blocks H, I, and J.

The stadium is fully cashless. Set up your card or mobile payment device before arrival — there's no cash desk inside, and the queues at card terminals can be slow at halftime. Have your payment method ready before you get to a food stand.

There is no fixed alcohol limit at the MEWA Arena, but people who are visibly drunk will be denied entry. Standard German matchday rules apply.

Accessibility features include step-free routes, lifts, wheelchair seating platforms, adapted toilets, and dedicated assistance staff. The perimeter promenade that connects all four stands is flat and wide, making navigation between sections manageable for wheelchair users. Accessible parking in barrier-free car park P6 is reserved for wheelchair users; permits must be requested in advance via the club's Disabled Fans' Representative (behindertenfanbeauftragter@mainz05.de), with a blue European parking permit required.

Away fans requiring accessible seating should contact the visiting club's ticketing department in advance, as accessible positions in the away section need to be pre-arranged. The stadium's open-corner design and single-tier bowl mean sightlines from accessible positions are generally strong.

Away fans are typically located behind one of the goals, with an allocation of around 3,500. Entry is through blocks H, I, and J, and most of the away section features safe standing. The standing section (blocks G and H) is where the atmosphere concentrates — if your club brings a decent following, this is where you want to be. Away fans are also given over 1,000 standing places in sectors G and H, as well as seats in J nearest the side stand.

The stadium is compact, which helps with atmosphere, and the fans are close to the pitch — it makes the ground appear smaller than it is from the inside. There genuinely isn't a bad sightline anywhere in this bowl; the steep rake means even the back row of the away end has a clear view of the far goal. If you're a neutral or travelling alone, block J (seated) gives you the best of both worlds — a roof over your head and a view of the away terrace buzzing next to you.

Mainz is, in the broader Bundesliga context, one of the more welcoming grounds for opposition supporters. Visiting fans regularly note a friendly reception even as guest supporters. The atmosphere on a good day is genuinely impressive — flags waved constantly, drums beaten, and songs sung throughout, in a way that puts many bigger leagues to shame. The single-tier bowl traps noise in a way that some newer, larger German stadiums don't manage. One thing worth knowing: because the stadium sits isolated in open fields with no surrounding neighbourhood to absorb crowds, the acoustic effect pre-game — when both sets of fans are milling around the perimeter promenade with a beer — feels tighter and more electric than the capacity would suggest. Also, gates in the away end have been known to only open 30 minutes after the final whistle, which is standard crowd-control practice here. Don't panic — just wait, have a beer if you didn't finish it, and let the rush pass.

By Tram/Bus: The tram (Line 53) and buses (54, 55, 56, 58) serve the Jakob-Heinz-Straße/Arena tram stop and the Kisselberg bus stop immediately post-game. Plenty of buses run back after the final whistle, so public transport is the strongly recommended option. Expect a 10–15 minute wait for a tram with enough space; buses load faster but fill up. Wait about 20 minutes after the whistle if you're in no rush — the initial surge clears quickly and you'll get a seat rather than a sardine-can experience.

By Car: The away fan park-and-ride at the Messe is your only real option. Shuttle buses run from the stadium back to the Messe lot after the game. Give it 25–30 minutes after the final whistle before heading to the shuttle pick-up, as the first wave is chaotic. Once at the Messe, the exit onto the road network is relatively fast — you're outside the city's environmental zone and onto the A60 within about 10 minutes of a moving car.

By Rideshare: Don't try to get picked up directly outside the stadium — it's gridlock. Walk 800m–1km toward Bretzenheim village along Eugen-Salomon-Straße and request your ride from there. Surge pricing is common in the 20 minutes immediately post-game; if you can wait 30–40 minutes in a nearby bar or café, fares typically normalize. The taxi firm number for Mainz is +49 6131 910 910 if apps aren't cooperating.

Best tip: Take the tram. It's free with your ticket, runs frequently, and drops you back in the city centre in under 15 minutes. No surge, no parking fee, no circling. It's the obvious choice and it works.

How do I get to MEWA Arena from Mainz Hauptbahnhof?

Take Tram Line 53, which takes about 15 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof. Alight at Bretzenheim, Hochschule Mainz and walk ~8 minutes to the stadium. Bus lines 54, 55, or 58 also run from the Hbf and stop at Kisselberg, about a 13-minute walk from the ground.

Is my match ticket valid for public transport?

Yes — match tickets include free public transport, so you can take any bus or tram from the main station to the stadium and back.

What is the MEWA Arena bag policy?

Bags larger than 30cm × 30cm × 15cm cannot enter the stadium but can be deposited free of charge at the entrance. Fanny packs and stadium bags are not affected.

Is there parking at MEWA Arena?

There are no car parking spaces at the MEWA Arena. Away fans should use the free park-and-ride car park at the Messe (Genfer Allee, Mainz), from which shuttle buses run to the stadium.

Is the stadium cashless?

Yes — all food and drink purchases are cashless. You can pay with your debit card (EC card), credit card, or via Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Where is the away section?

Away fans are placed behind one of the goals, with the usual allocation around 3,500. Entry is through blocks H, I, and J.

What time do gates open?

The stadium opens 120 minutes before kickoff. The box office also opens at that point — though note that day-of tickets at the box office cost €1 more than advance purchase.

What's the signature food at MEWA Arena?

Inside the stadium, the standout item is the Feuerwurst — a spicy sausage unique to the venue — alongside other options like couscous salad and ice cream from N'Eis. Cashless payment only; make sure your card is ready before you queue.