Union Berlin Stadium: History, Culture & Attendance Figures

The Union Berlin stadium has been in the same location since 1920. It has changed in appearance, facilities and capacity since then, and remains one of the smaller Bundesliga grounds in the 2021-22 campaign.

With the brilliant name of Stadion An der Alten Försterei, which means ‘stadium at the old forester’s house’, the Union Berlin stadium has been home to some spectacular moments in recent seasons.

The club arrived in the Bundesliga in 2019-20 after spending a decade in the 2. Bundesliga.

Union is a minnow by Bundesliga standards. This is a team without the financial might of many of its peers, and in the shadow of Hertha in the capital.

Still, the results have been great on the pitch in recent years, and the Union Berlin stadium is getting increased international attention.

Union Berlin Stadium History

Between the wars (in 1920, to be precise), Union Berlin was looking for a new home ground as developers had built over its previous pitch. The club was known as SC Union Oberschöneweide at this point.

Their new stadium was located in Köpenick, slightly further from the city centre, and the first official fixture took place against then German champions 1. FC Nürnberg.

Union won promotion to the DDR-Oberliga in 1966. This was then the topflight in Germany, and expansion of the ground was required.

Initially, the Gegengerade was extended in 1970. This was just the start of a period of considerable expansion at Union Berlin stadium, however, with the terraces at both ends being added to over the following decade or so.

While the capacity had reached 22,500, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei was beginning to look a bit rough round the edges. Its age was showing.

In both East and West Germany, football attendances dropped in the 1980s. Following reunification, Union were dropped into the third tier.

The club wasn’t enjoying its best spell on the pitch, and the state of the Union Berlin stadium was not helping their cause.

The stadium was in such a mess that the capacity was cut by over 7,000. In the late 1990s, Alte Försterei was only allowed to be used with special temporary licenses from Germany’s football authorities.

They stopped handing these out in the mid-2000s, leaving the club to decide between renovation and relocation.

The pressure this put on proved pivotal. Alte Försterei had been the subject of plenty of redevelopment plans for the best part of a decade, but nothing had been put in place until the end of 2007-08.

Refurbishment rather than overhaul was the initial aim. Crumbling stone and dodgy cinder terracing was replaced by concrete, and a roof was added over the existing terraces. This was bringing Alte Försterei into the 21st century.

The late-2000s plan also brought an electronic scoreboard, new seats in the biggest stand and undersoil heating. A season of playing at Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark was worth the hassle for Union.

In 2010, another wave of improvements began. The Main Stand was demolished. It was completed in 2013, bringing brand new media and hospitality facilities, and the majority of the costs were covered by sponsors.

Union Berlin stadium had its first sell out in its new form in August 2013. This was the club’s most recent expansion.

Other Events

Like most sports venues, the Union Berlin stadium is utilised for much more than football. Linkin Park performed in front of 35,000 people in the stadium’s first ever music concert, and it has even played host to bike shows.

Union has also become famous for its Weihnachtssingen (Christmas carol singing). If you’re not a huge follower of Bundesliga news updates, chances are you won’t have heard this rather bizarre fact before…

Beginning in 2003 with just 89 fans turning up, it has become a major part of the capital’s Christmas celebrations, with over 27,000 people attending in 2013 including football fans from all over Germany.

It also hit international headlines during the 2014 World Cup when a club initiative led to 800 sofas being brought to the ground.

Union encouraged fans to bring their own sofas to create a ‘World Cup Living Room’ with other fans – this led to rows of sofas being laid out at Alte Försterei to watch World Cup matches.

Fan Culture

Union Berlin has developed a cult following around the world for its impressive atmosphere and committed fanbase.

Their fan song ‘Iron Union’ is one of the more recognisable supporter anthems in Germany, and many will be familiar with the club’s official song, ‘Eisern Union’ by Nina Hagen.

When it comes to rivalries, the obvious tension with Hertha Berlin has perhaps been overplayed in some quarters.

Historically, Union have been rivals with BFC Dynamo, and in modern times, they have been one of many clubs to protest against the emergence of RB Leipzig.

From links to punk and famous Christmas events, the Union Berlin stadium has become an increasingly popular place to visit for fans and tourists alike.

Union Berlin Stadium Attendances:

• 1977-78 – 17,308
• 1978-79 – 12,846
• 1979-80 – 16,308
• 1982-83 – 11,962
• 1983-84 – 9,808
• 1985-86 – 12,692
• 1986-87 – 8,615
• 1987-88 – 9,192
• 1988-89 – 7,308
• 1989-90 – 1,285
• 1990-91 – 1,247
• 1991-92 – 917
• 1992-93 – 788
• 1993-94 – 918
• 1994-95 – 2,482
• 1995-96 – 2,284
• 1996-97 – 1,879
• 1997-98 – 1,431
• 1998-99 – 2,635
• 1999-2000 – 3,907
• 2000-01 – 5,655
• 2001-02 – 9,361
• 2002-03 – 8,397
• 2003-04 – 7,658
• 2004-05 – 4,631
• 2005-06 – 5,902
• 2006-07 – 6,817
• 2007-08 – 7,079
• 2008-09 – 7,180
• 2009-10 – 14,056
• 2010-11 – 14,184
• 2011-12 – 16,160
• 2012-13 – 17,102
• 2013-14 – 19,889
• 2014-15 – 19,129
• 2015-16 – 19,754
• 2016-17 – 20,859
• 2017-18 – 21,267
• 2018-19 – 21,231
• 2019-20 – 15,440
• 2020-21 – 906
• 2021-22 – 11,124