“Football has got to be for everybody. That’s the biggest difference,” says Uli Hoeness. PHOTO: AFP
At Wembley, football fans will have a chance to see why the crowds are turning to the German league in their droves.
With an average of 44,293, the Bundesliga has the highest attendance figures in the world with the cheapest season ticket for an adult standing on the terraces costing €120 at Bayern’s Allianz Arena, while Dortmund charge €187 at the Westfalenstadion. In contrast, last season’s prices in the English Premier League (EPL) saw the cheapest season ticket at Arsenal set fans back €1,151, while it cost €298 to watch relegated Wigan Athletic. The Bundesliga is now broadcast in 150 countries, but still falls behind the EPL in terms of global popularity, although in terms of value-for-money in the stadiums, the German league goes from strength to strength.
Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness said the attitude of clubs towards their fans is the key difference. “We do not think the fans are like cows, who you milk,” he said. “Football has got to be for everybody. That’s the biggest difference.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2013.
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