1. FC Union Berlin Matchday Guide: The Iron Ones, a Fan-Built Ground and the Forest at Köpenick

Atmosphere unlike anywhere else. With a capacity of just over 22,000 and around 80% of it standing, the Alte Försterei is a throwback to a bygone era — roofed terraces packed with singing, scarf-waving support, the stands tight to the pitch, the whole thing wrapped in forest. This is a club of unique traditions: the candlelit Weihnachtssingen, when tens of thousands fill the ground to sing Christmas carols, and the time they put sofas on the pitch so fans could watch the World Cup together. The support is loyal, loud and deeply proud of the club’s independence. Expect one of the most authentic and moving matchday experiences in European football.

The stadium sits in Köpenick, in Berlin’s leafy south-east, and getting there is part of the charm. Take the S-Bahn S3 (direction Erkner) to Köpenick, then follow the crowd on a 10–15 minute walk that feels more like a countryside stroll through the Wuhlheide woods than a trip to the football. Alternatively, trams 60 and 67 stop at Alte Försterei, right by the ground. Your match ticket includes free public transport across Berlin on matchday; note that Berlin’s system works on trust, with no barriers, so buy and validate a ticket if you’re not using a match ticket. Parking is almost non-existent. Our getting around Berlin guide has the S-Bahn and tram details.

Köpenick is the place to be. The district’s fan cafés and bars fill with red-and-white before kickoff — the Abseitsfalle (“offside trap”) near the youth academy is a classic, and the Bierstübchen Hauptmann von Köpenick is decked in Union match posters. The old forester’s house itself, the Alte Försterei, stands at the front of the ground with white-and-red window frames in the club’s colours. It’s an intimate, neighbourhood build-up in the woods, worlds away from a big-city stadium district. Pick up a matchday programme at the Köpenick station entrance on your way in. Our Berlin sports bars guide points you to the best Köpenick spots.

Payment is cashless, and beer flows on the terraces as at any German ground. To reach the standing sectors you climb steps to enter at the top of the stand, then descend to your spot — part of the ground’s old-school character. The stadium is almost entirely standing, roofed on all sides, and the atmosphere it generates is extraordinary for its size. Away fans go in the Wuhleseite corner by the river. There’s no giant modern scoreboard spectacle here; the charm is in the authenticity. Wherever you stand, you’re close to the pitch and surrounded by song. Soak it up while you can — the ground is about to change.

This is the hard part. Union are booming and the tiny ground sells out almost every game, so tickets are genuinely difficult to get: you typically need to become a club member (a modest fee) to enter the ticket raffle for a given match. It’s worth doing for a serious visit. Terrace tickets are around €16 — remarkable value for the experience. Buy only through the official club channels. Crucially, check the venue before you travel: a long-planned redevelopment (expanding the ground to roughly 34,500) is set to begin around 2026, during which Union intend to move temporarily to Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Our Union Berlin tickets guide walks through membership and the sale.

The woodland walk back to Köpenick station, or the tram, clears the modest crowd gently, and there’s none of the crush of a big arena. Köpenick’s bars carry the evening on, or you can ride back into central Berlin — one of the world’s great cities for a night out, with endless options from Kreuzberg to Friedrichshain. Berlin rewards a long stay whether or not there’s football on. If you’re staying over, a base in the centre or the eastern districts balances nightlife with a manageable trip out to Köpenick; our Berlin hotels guide covers the options.

Take the S3 to Köpenick — then enjoy the 10–15 minute walk through the woods to the ground.

Sort membership early — you’ll most likely need to be a club member to get into the ticket raffle.

Check the venue first — with redevelopment imminent, confirm whether the game is at the Alte Försterei or the Olympiastadion.

Grab a terrace spot — at around €16, the standing sections are the heart of the Union experience.

Start in Köpenick — the district’s fan cafés like the Abseitsfalle are the classic pre-match.

See a carol night if you can — the December Weihnachtssingen is one of football’s most special traditions.

Facts verified July 2026. With a major redevelopment imminent and a possible temporary move to the Olympiastadion, capacity, venue and ticketing are all subject to change — confirm the latest details on the official 1. FC Union Berlin website before you travel.