Voith-Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Heidenheim is not directly on a main rail artery, so getting here takes a bit of planning. Your nearest major hub is Stuttgart, roughly 90 minutes away by regional train — take the RS5/RE50 line toward Aalen and Heidenheim (Hbf). Stuttgart Airport (STR) is approximately an 85-minute drive away. From there you can take a train straight into Heidenheim Hauptbahnhof. If you're flying in from further afield, STR is your best option; Munich (MUC) is also manageable, adding about 30–40 minutes to the drive.

Once you're in Heidenheim, transit to the stadium is straightforward. From the main station — the bus stop is about 100 metres to the right as you exit toward the city centre — you can reach the Voith-Arena via HVG bus Lines 6 and 7, alighting at the "Voith-Arena" stop, a journey of about 10–15 minutes. Lines 6 (direction Heidenheim Klinikum) and 7 (direction Mergelstetten Stuttgarter Ring) serve the stadium, and a single trip costs around €2.05.

On matchdays, the club adds its own free shuttle buses from several peripheral parking zones — more on that below. Walking from the Hauptbahnhof is possible in around 25–30 minutes, but the final stretch up to the Schlossberg is genuinely steep. If you're comfortable on hills it's a fine walk; if you've had a couple of beers beforehand, take the bus.

Rideshare (Uber/FreeNow) exists in this area but coverage is thin compared to a major city. Don't rely on instant pickup from in front of the stadium on a match evening — plan it in advance or allow extra time.

Let's be direct: there are only a limited number of parking spaces available at the stadium itself. Parking is available in designated areas, though space is limited due to the hillside location.

The club's recommended and frankly clever solution is a network of free park-and-ride lots on all four approach roads. The club strongly recommends on matchdays using their free parking lots and free shuttle buses. From the north (coming from the A7 motorway), use the lots at the EPCOS company on Wilhelm-Kentner Straße, from which free shuttles run every 20 minutes — and later every 10 minutes — to the Voith-Arena. From the west, use parking at the Adalbert-Stifter-Realschule/Berufsschulzentrum (Heckentalstraße 70) or the Karl-Rau-Halle (Heckentalstraße 25), with shuttles also running on the 20/10-minute cycle. These free lots genuinely work well and they prevent chaos on the narrow hill streets near the ground.

If you insist on parking closer, Paul-Hartmann-Straße is a popular choice, with a walk of less than a mile to the stadium — though it is noticeably uphill. Arrive early; this fills up quickly. There is no formal paid stadium lot for general supporters, and driving onto the stadium grounds on matchday without a parking permit is not permitted. Use the free shuttles — they're genuinely the right answer here.

Heidenheim itself has a manageable but not overwhelming hotel offer. The two most sensible bases for away fans are either right in town (walkable to pre-match bars and the station) or in the slightly more polished neighbour city of Aalen, about 20 minutes away by train.

In Heidenheim proper, the Sekra Stadthotel is located just two kilometres from the Voith-Arena, Hellenstein Castle, and the city centre, and guests consistently rate it highly for its convenient location and comfortable atmosphere. It's a no-nonsense 3-star property — clean, well-placed, with free parking. Good for a midweek away day when budget matters.

For something with more character, the Schlosshotel Hellenstein is just 0.7 km from the stadium — which is extraordinary proximity for a hotel of its category. It sits right next to the castle with views over the town. Book early for Bundesliga matchdays; it sells out.

If you want a proper 4-star comfort stay, the Taste Hotel Heidenheim is a 4-star property with a swimming pool and leisure complex — about 20 minutes from the stadium on foot or a short bus ride. It's better-priced than you'd expect for the quality. For fans coming from Stuttgart or Munich who want options, Aalen (about 20km west) has additional mid-range choices and is a pleasant old town to spend the evening in after a night game.

Heidenheim's city centre, about 2km from the stadium down the hill, is where you want to be before the match. Within 1 km of the stadium you can access basic amenities including supermarkets for pre-match essentials, while the city centre's Hauptstraße, about 2 km away, features a variety of restaurants and shops.

Albstüble — This is the official stadium kiosk/restaurant run by the club itself, located at the ground. It's the natural pre-match gathering point if you're already up the hill, and serves classic South German pub food — Wurst, Schnitzel, cold beer — at fair prices. Gets crowded in the last 45 minutes before kickoff.

Schlosshotel Hellenstein restaurant — Right next to the stadium, this is the best option for a proper sit-down meal before the game. Regional Swabian cooking in a historic setting. Book ahead for matchdays. Not cheap, but genuinely good.

Hauptstraße options — Heidenheim's central pedestrian zone has the full range of German town-centre eating: Italian, Turkish Döner, a handful of traditional Gasthäuser. Local specialties receive commendation for taste and reasonable pricing at the venue. Grab a Maultaschen or a Zwiebelrostbraten at any half-decent Gasthaus before making the uphill walk. Delphi Heidenheim (Greek/Mediterranean) and Kokono Pan-Asian Cuisine come up regularly in local reviews and are a short walk from the Taste Hotel.

For post-match: the hill clears quickly and the city centre bars are your best bet. Don't expect late-night roaring pub culture — Heidenheim is a working industrial town and it shuts down accordingly, but the Hauptstraße has enough to absorb a few hundred travelling supporters without any tension.

The Voith-Arena operates under standard German professional football bag rules rather than any American-style clear-bag mandate. Bags are subject to security check on entry, and stewards are thorough but not aggressive. Keep bags small, avoid backpacks if possible, and budget a few extra minutes for entry if you're arriving in the last 30 minutes before kickoff — that's when lines build at the gates.

Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff. Away fans should head to the West Stand entrance, which is separate from home fan entry points. The east stand is home of the Heidenheim supporters and is standing only; visiting supporters are located in the west stand, which offers both seating and standing space. Follow signage for "Gästeblock" (away block).

One practical tip: the stadium is on a hillside and the approach path, especially from public transport, involves a climb. Wear shoes you can walk in. In winter or rain, that path can be genuinely slippery. Also worth knowing: some stands operate with cash-only transactions , so carry euros regardless of what your card does at home.

Accessibility features at the Voith-Arena include step-free routes, wheelchair platforms, adapted toilets, and supporter assistance services. The stadium's hillside location is the main challenge for visitors with mobility difficulties — the approach from the bus stop involves a gradient, and the free shuttle buses from the park-and-ride lots are the most practical option for arriving without a long uphill walk.

Accessibility features are designed so that everyone can enjoy events comfortably, and wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities are in place for guests with mobility challenges. Fans requiring accessible seating should contact 1. FC Heidenheim directly in advance of the match via their official website to arrange specific seating and access assistance — German clubs generally handle this well and staff on matchdays are helpful. The away section in the West Stand does include accessible viewing positions; confirm with the club when purchasing tickets if you have specific requirements.

Heidenheim home supporters are located in block L in the east stand; visiting supporters are in blocks E1 and E2 in the West Stand (Westtribüne). This is a mix of seating and standing terracing, and the views from here are genuinely very good. The stadium lacks a running track, allowing for close proximity to the pitch — approximately 6 metres from the sidelines — which enhances the viewing experience. The layout includes four independent stands, with the West Stand retaining its original seated design.

Being so close to the pitch is the single biggest upside of the away section here. You will feel the tackles. The compact, football-focused layout brings supporters extremely close to the pitch, creating a strong connection between fans and players. The one caveat: the away block is compact, and if your side brings a large following it will be tight. For Bundesliga games against bigger clubs, book early — the stadium's 15,000 capacity is consistently filled for high-profile matches.

Avoid attempting to buy home-end tickets as a visible away fan — German stadia take this seriously and stewarding is attentive.

This is one of those grounds that every proper football tourist should tick off at least once. The noise generated by a relatively small crowd is amplified by the tight bowl and roofed sections, giving the ground a reputation for being difficult for visiting teams; the atmosphere is direct, loud and rooted in local identity, reflecting Heidenheim's rise from the lower leagues to the top flight. The home support is not aggressive toward away fans in the physical sense, but they are loud and they believe — this is a club that was in the regional leagues within living memory and has earned every step up. Heidenheim's rise is largely the work done by manager Frank Schmidt, who has been at the club since 2007 when they played in the fourth division. That continuity translates to a fanbase that doesn't take any of this for granted, and the noise on a big matchday reflects it. One specific thing only those who've been here know: some visiting teams have historically struggled at this unique ground, which at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level is Germany's second-highest stadium. Whether altitude is genuinely a factor at that elevation is debatable, but on a cold Tuesday night in November in a sold-out Voith-Arena, you'll feel something slightly different about this place.

By bus: The free shuttle buses return directly after the match. Head back to whichever park-and-ride lot you arrived from — the shuttle picks up immediately post-final whistle and runs until the lots are clear. This is genuinely efficient, but the queue at the nearest shuttle stop will be long for the first 10 minutes. Wait five minutes after the whistle before joining the line; it moves fast. From the Schloßhaustraße bus stop, HVG Lines 6 and 7 back to the Hauptbahnhof run on their normal schedule — the last trains back toward Stuttgart typically depart around 11pm, so check the DB Regio timetable in advance if you're making a same-day return.

By car: The roads immediately around the stadium — particularly Schloßhaustraße — back up quickly post-game. If you parked at one of the club's free peripheral lots and took the shuttle in, those lots actually clear faster than you'd expect because the shuttle buses disperse people across multiple sites. Give it 20 minutes after the final whistle before heading to your car. Coming from the A7 north, the Wilhelm-Kentner Straße lot (EPCOS) exits relatively cleanly onto the B19 northbound.

By rideshare: Don't order your ride from directly in front of the stadium. Walk five to ten minutes down the hill toward the Klinikum Heidenheim stop on Schloßhaustraße and request from there — you'll get a quicker pickup and avoid surge pricing. Expect some pricing premium for the first 30 minutes post-match; waiting 20 minutes after the whistle will noticeably reduce the fare.

Opinionated tip: The single best move for a quick exit is to leave at the 88th minute if your side is already safe in the result. The buses and shuttle queues are still orderly, the roads haven't locked up yet, and you'll be at the Hauptbahnhof buying a currywurst before half the stadium has cleared its row.

How do I get to Voith-Arena from Stuttgart? Take the RS5 or RE50 regional train from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to Heidenheim Hauptbahnhof (roughly 1.5 hours), then HVG bus Line 6 or 7 from the bus stop about 100 metres from the station exit, alighting at the Voith-Arena stop. Total journey is around 1h 45min.

What is the bag policy at Voith-Arena? Standard German football rules apply: bags are subject to security search. There is no formal clear-bag requirement, but keep bags small. Backpacks may receive closer scrutiny. Allow extra time at the turnstiles.

How much does parking cost near Voith-Arena?

The club provides free parking lots with free shuttle buses on matchdays from multiple locations around the city. There is no large paid parking lot at the stadium itself. Use the free park-and-ride system — it is the intended solution and it works.

Where do away fans sit at Voith-Arena?

Visiting supporters are located in the west stand (Westtribüne), which offers both seating and standing space. Look for "Gästeblock" signage; your tickets will specify blocks E1 or E2.

What time do the gates open? Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff. Confirm with the official 1. FC Heidenheim matchday communications, as this can vary by fixture category.

Is the Voith-Arena cashless? Not entirely. Some stands operate cash-only transactions , while others accept cards and mobile pay. Carry euros to be safe — you don't want to miss your beer because a concession stand only takes cash.

What's the nearest airport to the Voith-Arena?

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is approximately an 85-minute drive from the Voith-Arena. From STR, connect via S-Bahn into Stuttgart Hbf and take the regional train to Heidenheim.

Is the Voith-Arena accessible for wheelchair users? Yes. Accessibility features include step-free routes, wheelchair platforms, adapted toilets, and supporter assistance services. Contact the club in advance via their official website to arrange accessible seating in the away section and confirm shuttle accessibility from the park-and-ride lots.