An der alten Försterei

Football romantics definitely need to make the trip to An der alten Försterei, the small stadium of 1.FC Union Berlin. During my first visit the terraces were still without a roof: after a major renovation in 2009, partially executed by volunteers, the entire stadium is covered now. Plans for a further expansion from the current 22k to 39k have been in development since 2017, as it stands (November 2026) the construction works start after Christmas 2027.

Union is much more rooted in the local population then its bigger brother Hertha BSC. The thing that united and still unites everyone, is that the club never bowed to the ‘Stasi’ club BFC Dynamo Berlin during the GDR days. It gave the club a cult status that it still exploits under the motto ‘Eisern Union’ (iron union).

In the first version of this site, I wrote 'They never played at the highest level, and you don’t want to think about the possibility that you have to host Bayern Munich at An der alten Försterei'. But the miracle promotion in 2019 made sure it DID happen, on a night no one who was there (like me) will ever forget.

The stadium in the far east of the city is pure football nostalgia: terraces, Bratwurst, low admission prices and an example of true club love (disclaimer: I am a season ticket holder and therefore not entirely without prejudice). If you are really interested: I wrote a book in Dutch about the club, that was officially published in August 2023 at Staantribune publishers.