Red Bull Arena Leipzig: Guide for Visiting Fans

Flying in? The nearest airport is Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ). From there, take the S-Bahn S5 or S5X to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, then connect to the tram. The whole journey — airport to arena — takes approximately 31 minutes including the transfer. If you're already in the city, the tram is the obvious move. From Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, board Tram 3, 7, or 15 toward Sportforum Süd, which is the closest stop to the Red Bull Arena. The tram ride takes about 10–15 minutes. Guests for Red Bull Arena can ride one stop past Waldplatz/Arena and hop off at Am Sportforum, served by trams 3, 7, 8, or 15.

By car, take exit 17 Leipzig-West from the A9, which runs west of the city, follow the B181 toward the city, then after about 10 kilometres turn left onto Rückmarsdorfer Straße and follow it (with a slight left onto Hans-Driesch-Straße) until you reach the stadium. Note that the Red Bull Arena is within Leipzig's low-emission zone, meaning vehicles must display a green emission sticker. Rideshare via Uber or Bolt works fine; expect drop-offs on the streets just south of the arena off Jahnallee. Don't try to get door-to-door — it won't happen on matchday.

Don't plan to park next to the ground. Red Bull Arena has limited parking space nearby, and that limited space is not available for away supporters. The smart play is Park & Ride. There are several viable P+R options in Leipzig, including P+R Schönauer Ring, P+R agra, and P+R Leipziger Messe — all linked to tram lines 3, 7, or 15 that connect directly to the arena. Conveniently, your match ticket typically includes public transport travel in zone 110 on matchday — check your ticket to confirm. Rates at P+R lots run roughly €3–6 for the day. When events sell out, there simply aren't enough parking spaces in the immediate vicinity , so don't gamble — pre-load a P+R spot, ride the tram, save yourself the headache.

The Zentrum and Zentrum-Südwest neighborhoods are your best bets. You want to be close enough to the Hauptbahnhof that you can roll out of bed, grab a tram, and be at the ground in 15 minutes — that puts you in the city's well-connected core, which is also where the bars, restaurants, and atmosphere actually are. Motel One and B&B Hotels have solid, no-nonsense options in the €70–110/night range right near the Hauptbahnhof. For something with more character, the boutique and design hotels around Augustusplatz offer better vibes at mid-range prices (€100–160/night). Südvorstadt, Leipzig's bohemian student quarter, is worth considering if you want to be in a neighborhood that feels alive at midnight — it's a slightly longer tram or Uber ride from the ground but will be your social HQ before and after the match.

Three bars flagged consistently for football fans in Leipzig are Arena Sportsbar (Am Sportforum 2), Bobby's Pub (Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße 3), and Champions Leipzig (Brühl 33). Arena Sportsbar is the most obvious pregame stop given its literal address — it's right at the Sportforum complex and fills up early. Before a match, Pils Pub Na Und and Bobby's Sportsbar are where fans typically go to build up with a few beers in anticipation.

For something more substantial before kickoff, Ratskeller, at Lotterstraße 1 in the city centre, offers a rustic atmosphere, great service, and a solid variety of beers and food. Gasthaus Barthels Hof at Hainstraße 1 in Zentrum is one of the best places to experience regional Saxon food and drink — think schnitzel, local Gose beer, and a room that's been doing this since before most modern football clubs existed. The Bayerische Bahnhof serves traditional German fare and craft beer in a social atmosphere and brews its own on-site — worth a stop if you're making a day of it. Saxony is home to an impressive range of beers, and the Karl-Liebknecht-Straße strip hosts beer gardens and traditional East German pubs that are worth exploring post-match.

Keep your bag small. Only bags smaller than A4 size are permitted inside the stadium. The strong recommendation from the venue is not to bring a bag at all — anything larger than A4 will be turned away at security. Fans are allowed to bring a 500ml tetra pak of water into the stadium, but any other food or drink, including alcohol, is not permitted. Professional cameras, large umbrellas, and similar items are also not allowed.

You must use the specific entrance listed on your ticket — there's no flexibility to swap gates. Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff for Bundesliga matches — check your ticket confirmation for the exact time, as it can vary match to match. For away fans, there is reportedly a special shuttle bus that runs from the Hauptbahnhof directly to the away fans entrance — worth checking with the club in advance. The away block at the Red Bull Arena is in Sector D/C behind the goal in the southeastern corner; follow steward signage from your designated gate and don't wander into home sections.

The Red Bull Arena has disability facilities in all sections, catering to both home and away fans. Lifts are available for wheelchair users, and dedicated parking spaces are provided for those who require them — though it is advisable to contact the club beforehand so they can plan and accommodate you properly.

The stadium offers accessible seating, bathrooms, and parking, with dedicated entrances and specialized staff available to assist with any accessibility needs. If you require medical equipment or have items on the prohibited list for medical reasons, bring a formal letter from your medical professional — stewards will direct you to the designated accessibility lane where you can present your documentation. Contact RB Leipzig's fan service well ahead of matchday to arrange any specific accommodations, especially for wheelchair spaces in the away section.

Travelling away fans are typically seated in the southeastern corner of the ground, between Sectors C and D. For major UEFA matches, away supporters have been placed in Sector D, specifically blocks 26–30, located behind the goal. In general it is considered an excellent away stand with great views and a good variety of both seated and standing tickets.

If you're not in a designated away block and are attending as a neutral, the upper tier of Sector A (the main stand) offers the widest views and is worth the slightly higher price. The lower tiers along the long sides give you the best pure viewing angles. Avoid the very back rows of the lower tier under the overhang if you care about natural light or camera shots — the roof's coverage is excellent, but it can feel enclosed. Ticket pricing at the arena runs from €55 in PK1 down to €16 for the cheapest PK9 category, with kids' tickets in PK9 at just €8.

The Red Bull Arena is loud — not because of any particular hostility toward away fans, but because the roof is specifically designed for superior acoustics, with floodlights integrated into its structure to maximize sound within the bowl. What this means in practice is that the home end genuinely rumbles. The away support sits in a compact southeastern corner block, and while stewards are professional and the atmosphere isn't threatening, don't expect the kind of mingling with home fans you might find in a more relaxed league context — RB Leipzig's fanbase takes the modern club seriously, and derbies against traditional rivals carry real edge. The quirk that surprises most first-time visitors: the stadium sits in an earthen crater, meaning you walk down into it from the outside, and the old external wall of the Zentralstadion still rings the whole thing above your head — it's one of the stranger architectural experiences in European football, and it's worth arriving early just to take it in properly.

Tram: This is the correct exit strategy for the vast majority of away fans. Tram lines 3, 7, 8, and 15 operate on every matchday and drop you right in front of the stadium — exit at either Waldplatz/Arena or Sportforum. Post-match, the trams run frequently but fill up fast. Wait 15–20 minutes after the final whistle inside the stadium or on the Festwiese (the open meadow area south of the ground) — the initial crush clears quickly, and you'll have a far more comfortable ride back than if you sprint for the first tram. The journey back to Hauptbahnhof is only 10–15 minutes once you're on board.

Driving: If you parked at a P+R lot, resist the urge to leave immediately after the whistle. Traffic from the Jahnallee clears within 30–40 minutes post-match. Staying for a beer or waiting in the car before moving gives you a mostly clear run. Expect 20–30 minutes from park to moving highway if you leave promptly; double that in the first 15 minutes post-game.

Rideshare: Surge pricing is real and immediate after the final whistle. Walk 10 minutes east toward the city center — even to Goerdelerring — before requesting your ride. A taxi from the Hauptbahnhof area to the stadium runs around €16–20 on a normal day; post-match expect more. The opinionated tip: take the tram back to the Hauptbahnhof, then grab a rideshare from there — you'll avoid both the surge and the wait near the ground.

Which tram do I take to Red Bull Arena Leipzig?

From Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, board Tram 3, 7, or 15 toward Sportforum Süd — the stop closest to the ground. The ride is about 10–15 minutes and trams run frequently on matchdays.

What is the bag policy at Red Bull Arena Leipzig?

Only bags smaller than A4 size are permitted inside the stadium. The simplest approach is to go bag-free — pockets only.

Is Red Bull Arena Leipzig cashless?

Only cashless payment is accepted inside the Red Bull Arena via an RFID card system. You can top up the cashless card at clearing points using cash, debit, or credit card (Visa/Mastercard).

What is the nearest airport to Red Bull Arena Leipzig?

The nearest airport is Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ). The journey from the airport to the arena, including transfers via S-Bahn and tram, takes approximately 31 minutes.

Where do away fans sit at Red Bull Arena Leipzig?

Away fans are placed in the southeastern corner of the ground, between Sectors C and D. For Bundesliga matches, your ticket will direct you to the correct entrance — follow the steward signage.

How much does parking cost near Red Bull Arena Leipzig?

Parking immediately around the stadium is very limited and is not available for away supporters. Use the P+R lots (Schönauer Ring, Leipziger Messe, agra) at roughly €3–6/day, then tram in.

When do gates open at Red Bull Arena Leipzig? Gates typically open approximately 90 minutes before kickoff for Bundesliga matches. Check your specific match ticket for the confirmed gate time, as it varies by competition and fixture type.

Can I walk from the city centre to Red Bull Arena Leipzig?

The Red Bull Arena lies slightly west of Leipzig's city centre and central railway station — the roughly 2-kilometre walk should take no longer than 20 to 30 minutes. It's a pleasant enough walk along the river if the weather cooperates.