MHPArena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Transit is the only sane option on matchday. The MHPArena is located around 4.5km from the city centre in Stuttgart, which makes it a long walk — don't even think about it on foot from the Hauptbahnhof. From Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, take S-Bahn line S1 in the direction of Kirchheim (Teck) and get off at Neckarpark (Mercedes-Benz), then take a short five-minute walk to the stadium. Services depart every 20 minutes, and the journey takes approximately 7 minutes. On matchdays, you have extra options: from Hauptbahnhof, Stadtbahn line U11 (a special matchday service) runs directly to NeckarPark (Stadion), and line U19 also runs to NeckarPark (Stadion). The U11 drops you about 450 metres from the gates — genuinely the most convenient stop when it runs.

Flying in? Stuttgart Airport (STR) connects to the city center via S-Bahn lines S2 and S3. From Stuttgart Central Station, S-Bahn lines S2 and S3 run to the airport every 15 minutes, with the journey taking around 25 to 30 minutes. Reverse that for the inbound trip and add the 7-minute S1 hop to Neckarpark — total airport-to-stadium transit time is around 45–50 minutes if connections are tight.

For rideshare or taxi, the fastest way from Stuttgart Hbf is by taxi, taking about 7 minutes and costing roughly €18–22. Drop-off on Mercedesstraße near the main stand is standard, but traffic in the Neckarpark cluster builds early — give yourself 30 minutes buffer if you're not on the S-Bahn. By car, the stadium lies in a triangle formed by federal roads B10, B27, and B14, and the NeckarPark traffic management system guides drivers in from the motorways via B10 or B14.

Parking directly at the ground is limited and fills quickly. Along Mercedesstraße, parking decks P7, P2a, and P10 are the closest options to the MHPArena. P7 has 100 spaces, P2a has a further 80 spaces between the arena and the VfB offices, and P10 is on the Cannstatter Wasen fairground to the west. Expect to pay around €10–15 for event parking in these lots — they sell out for big fixtures, so pre-booking online via the VfB website is strongly recommended.

The smarter play for away fans is the Park & Ride network. P&R lots are connected via S-Bahn and allow visitors to reach the MHPArena in 20 to 40 minutes depending on location. Options outside the city's environmental zone include stations at Plochingen, Waiblingen, Winnenden, Backnang, Bietigheim-Bissingen, and several others. Daily parking fees at P&R lots are just €1–2. This is genuinely the best move — park cheaply at an S-Bahn station outside Stuttgart, ride in for a few euros on the VVS network, avoid the post-match gridlock entirely.

Unless you specifically want to be stadium-adjacent, base yourself in central Stuttgart. The Hauptbahnhof area and the Stadtmitte/Rathaus neighborhood put you within a single, quick S-Bahn ride of the ground, and you're also near the city's best restaurants, bars, and the famous Königstraße pedestrian shopping zone. Stuttgart-Mitte has a full catalogue of accommodation types. Rathaus is ideal for those wanting to be close to restaurants and bars, while slightly north in Oberer Schlossgarten you'll find many of Stuttgart's landmarks including Schlossplatz, right next to the central train station. Mid-range hotels here run roughly €90–160/night.

If you want something directly in Bad Cannstatt near the stadium, there's a Hilton Garden Inn right in the Neckarpark area — convenient for early arrivals — and newer options like the Adagio Stuttgart Neckarpark have been opening in the area. Rates tend to be slightly lower than city center, but nightlife options are limited once the stadium crowd disperses.

Strobels Pub (Bad Cannstatt) — The local tip for a pre-match pint. Strobels Pub is recommended nearby for a pre-game pint. It's a proper neighborhood bar in Bad Cannstatt, unpretentious, cheap beer on tap, and you'll get a genuine local crowd rather than a tourist operation.

Palm Beach Stuttgart — A casual and comfortable sports bar that offers indoor dining at a bar or table and outdoor terrace seating, with a menu covering pizza, burgers, fries, ribs, and pastas, plus sporting events shown on large screen televisions. It's a 10–15 minute rideshare from the ground and very much the kind of place you can spend a couple of hours pre-match without feeling rushed.

Funfo's Bar und Restaurant (Sulzbachgasse 14, Bad Cannstatt) — Funfo's offers a cozy atmosphere, pleasant ambience, good food and cocktails in the heart of the historic Cannstatt old town. A 15-minute walk from Bahnhof Bad Cannstatt, this is a better choice than anything in the immediate stadium plaza if you want actual food.

Krehl's Linde (Bad Cannstatt) — A traditional Swabian Gasthaus that has been feeding people in this corner of Stuttgart for generations. Think Maultaschen, Spätzle, and cold Dinkel-Weizen. It books up on matchdays, so either come early (lunch) or reserve ahead. This is the place to point visiting friends who want one genuinely regional meal before or after the match.

Keep it simple: no bags larger than A4 size are permitted. That's roughly 21cm × 30cm — a standard laptop sleeve won't pass, a small crossbody or fanny pack will. Only power banks the same size or smaller than your phone will be permitted. The MHPArena has 31 kiosks inside: 10 on the Haupttribüne (main stand) and 7 each on the Gegentribüne, Cannstatter Kurve, and Untertürkheimer Kurve.

Away fans should head for the Untertürkheimer Kurve, on the right side of the stadium as you approach from the main Mercedesstraße entrance. There's dedicated away fan access — don't wander through home sections on principle and to avoid steward grief. Card payments are accepted at drink vendors inside the stadium. Arrive with small bills too, as some external concession stands are cash-only. Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff for Bundesliga matches.

After the stadium underwent large-scale renovation ahead of Euro 2024, the disabled facilities at the MHPArena were greatly improved. The venue now has a total of 200 wheelchair-user spaces, and the entire stadium and all of its many entrances are step-free. This is a genuine upgrade — the accessibility overhaul was part of a €100 million+ renovation that also rebuilt the main stand.

Audio descriptive commentary is available for supporters with vision impairments. Accessible parking is located on lots P7, P2a, and P10 along Mercedesstraße, close to the ground. If you have any specific accessibility needs, it is recommended to contact the club ahead of your arrival. VfB Stuttgart's guest services team is generally responsive to pre-event inquiries in both German and English.

The Untertürkheimer Kurve (Untertürkheim Curve), to the right of the Haupttribüne, houses lounges and the blocks for the guest team's fans. At the other end is the Unterturkheim Curve, which typically holds the visiting supporters. Sightlines from the away end are solid — the ground was remodeled in 2009–2011 specifically to bring seats closer to the pitch after the athletics track was removed, and it shows. You're not miles from the action.

If you'd rather sit in a neutral area with better sightlines to the home end (and a feel for the full stadium atmosphere), the Gegentribüne (opposite stand) offers Category 1 and budget seats. There are Category 2 and Category 3 seats in the corners of the main stand, while the opposite stand holds Category 1 and VIP seats in the middle with cheaper viewing spots on either side. The upper tiers of the Gegentribüne give you an excellent overview of the whole pitch. Avoid corner seats at the far end from the away section if you want any sense of shared atmosphere with fellow away fans.

You will be treated fairly here — Stuttgart fans are passionate but the matchday operation is organized and stewarding is professional. Stuttgart's most passionate supporters are located behind the goal in the Cannstatter Kurve, where the ultras stand for every home league match. Since 2011 the lower tier of the curve contains a standing area with 8,000 terraces, and when that end gets going, the acoustic effect under the fixed roof is genuinely impressive — one of those grounds where the noise feels physical. What away fans should know: the pre-match fan march from Bad Cannstatt is a real, properly choreographed procession by the ultras and worth watching even if you're not participating. Position yourself near the Mercedesstraße approach about 45 minutes before kickoff and you'll see exactly what a well-organized supporter culture looks like. It won't make you cheer for VfB, but it might earn your grudging respect.

Transit: The S-Bahn is your best option but expect a 20–30 minute wait on the platform after a full house — both Neckarpark station and Bad Cannstatt station funnel massive crowds simultaneously. DB recommends that S-Bahn passengers plan enough time for both the outbound and return journey, and suggests using both Neckarpark station and Bahnhof Bad Cannstatt for egress. Split the difference: if the Neckarpark platform is rammed, start the 15-minute walk to Bad Cannstatt station and catch the S1, S2, or S3 there instead — it'll move faster than standing in a queue. Matchday-only services (U11, U19) also run post-game.

Driving: The Neckarpark exit traffic onto B10 and B14 is predictably brutal for 30–45 minutes after the final whistle. P10 on the Cannstatter Wasen side tends to clear before P7 and P2a. Realistically, plan to wait in your car for at least 30–40 minutes, or kill time at a stadium concession stand while the lots drain.

Rideshare: Uber and FREE NOW both operate in Stuttgart. Surge pricing kicks in hard immediately after the match. The opinionated tip: walk 10–15 minutes toward Bad Cannstatt town center — away from the stadium cluster — before requesting a pickup. You'll halve the surge and shave the wait time. Wait at least 15 minutes after the final whistle before ordering if you can, as the first wave of request volume is where pricing peaks.

Best bet for most away fans: Stay in your seat 5–10 minutes after the match, let the initial surge on the platforms pass, then walk to Bad Cannstatt station via the riverside path.

What is the closest S-Bahn station to MHPArena?

Take S-Bahn line S1 from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in the direction of Kirchheim (Teck) and alight at Neckarpark (Mercedes-Benz), then walk approximately five minutes to the stadium. On matchdays, the special Stadtbahn U11 service stops even closer at NeckarPark (Stadion).

What is the bag policy at MHPArena?

No bags larger than A4 size are permitted. That's roughly the size of a sheet of printer paper (21×30cm). Small crossbody bags and fanny packs are fine; backpacks and tote bags over that size are not.

Is MHPArena cashless?

Most vendors inside the MHPArena accept card payments. However, some vendors around the stadium — particularly external ones — may operate on a cash-only basis. Carry a small amount of cash just in case.

How much does parking cost at MHPArena? Close-in lots (P7, P2a, P10) typically run €10–15 for events and should be pre-booked. P&R lots at suburban S-Bahn stations outside the city cost €1–2 per day and are the smart money-saving option.

Where do away fans sit at MHPArena?

The Untertürkheimer Kurve provides seating for fans of the visiting team. It's a dedicated end behind the goal, with a separate entrance and good pitch sightlines.

When do gates open at MHPArena? Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff for Bundesliga matches. Arriving 60–75 minutes before kickoff is comfortable; you won't be queueing in the cold.

What are ticket prices for VfB Stuttgart at MHPArena?

Ticket prices depend on the seat and the fixture, ranging from around €18.50 to €90 for adults, with discounts available for concessions and juniors. Away allocation tickets must usually be purchased through the away club's official channels or their authorized resellers.

How far is Stuttgart Airport (STR) from MHPArena?

S-Bahn lines S2 and S3 run from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to the airport every 15 minutes, taking around 25–30 minutes. From the Hauptbahnhof, the S1 to Neckarpark takes about 7 minutes more. Total airport-to-stadium transit time is around 45–55 minutes with a smooth connection.