For the first time in more than 25 years, the German Football Association (DFB) is re-introducing standing room tickets for men’s national team home matches, beginning with the Heim-Premiere of Bundestrainer Jürgen Klopp in the framework of the Nations League against Greece in Augsburg on September 27 and a fixture against Serbia in Munich on October 1.
German football is returning to its stadium roots. As the DFB announced, the move was decided by the supervisory board and the shareholder meeting of the DFB GmbH and Co. KG. After a ban that lasted more than a quarter of a century, standing areas are officially coming back to international fixtures, a shift that affects not only the A-Nationalmannschaften of men, but also the women’s national team and the U21-Auswahl (Under-21 squad). The decision is based on a decision by the UEFA Executive Committee (UEFA-Exekutivkomitee). The observation program for standing places, running since the 2022/23 season, was extended for the 2026/27 season and expanded to further UEFA competitions, whereas the program previously limited itself to men’s UEFA club competitions.
Fan Culture and the Stadium Experience in Germany
Supporters have long campaigned for the return of terraces at the international level. In Germany, where clubs feature immense standing areas—such as Borussia Dortmund’s South Stand, known as the Yellow Wall, which accommodates almost 25,000—terrace culture remains a cornerstone of the matchday experience. Association leaders acknowledged that the demand from supporters was exceptionally strong.
Bernd Neuendorf, DFB President, stated that standing spaces are an important part of fan culture and the stadium experience in Germany, and through dialogue with their fans, they know how great the desire for standing spaces at international matches is.
Bernd Neuendorf, DFB-Präsident
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf noted that because the desire for standing places at international matches was great among fans, the association spent the past years advocating within UEFA for the reintroduction of standing places at international matches and tournaments. Bernd Neuendorf stated that it was for this reason that they had campaigned within UEFA over the past years for the reintroduction of standing room at international matches and tournaments, adding that they are an important component of fan culture and the stadium experience in Germany.
Pricing and Ticket Availability for the Autumn Fixtures
The return of terraces coincides with a new era for the coaching staff. Following a period where the Germans suffered a third consecutive early World Cup exit this year—having been knocked out by Paraguay—the association moved toward the arrival of Jürgen Klopp as head coach.
Klopp is set to replace Julian Nagelsmann, with a deal expected to run until after the 2030 World Cup. Following talks between the German Football Association and Klopp’s current employer, Red Bull—where Klopp is currently under contract as Head of Global Soccer until 2029—a full agreement is now close, with a DFB official telling the German news agency SID that they were on the home stretch.
- Greece: September 27 in Augsburg
- Serbia: October 1 in München (Munich)
Association officials emphasized that the pricing structure is designed to keep matches accessible. With the reintroduction of standing place offerings, another reasonably priced option is simultaneously created for the fans, because Neuendorf stated that football is there for everyone, as he put it.
A Broader Strategic Reset for the National Team
The organizational pivot extends beyond ticket categories. Behind the scenes, leadership is moving forward to stabilize the national setup as the team prepares for the upcoming Nations League matches in late September and early October. The DFB noted that this news pleases the fans, offering them the chance to cheer on the DFB-Elf from standing areas for the first time in more than 25 years during the home debut of Bundestrainer Jürgen Klopp.
With a fresh managerial voice on the verge of official appointment, lower-priced entry options in the stands, and a revamped regulatory framework extended by UEFA for the 2026/27 season, German football enters the autumn international window facing a transformed landscape.
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