FC Augsburg is probably not a club you'd travel 1000 miles for, but it can be fun when you are in the south of Germany, let's say: underway to or from your winter vacation.
FC Augsburg used to play a quite modest role in football, switching between the second and third level of Germany. In 2011, the Bavarian club promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time, and they haven't given away that top tier spot ever since. Best result: a 5th place an a ticket for the Europa League in 2015.
In 2009 opened in the south of the city, between wide agricultural fields and car parks. Although it seems a little small and boring from the outside, there's still place for more than 30.000. It has some similarities with the Mewa Arena of Mainz, qua design and club colors. Maybe that says it all about the originality: it's a little bit a thirteen in a dozen design.
Closer to the centre of Augsburg you'll find the Rosenaustadion at the Stadionstraße, where FC Augsburg used to play from 1951 til 2009. With a running track, but we kind of like it. Maybe it's because it makes us think of the Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen, with its uncovered grey stands and yellow stairs. Because of its characteristic design, the Rosenaustadion is declared monumental so it won't be demolished. It's still used by the second team of FC Augsburg, playing in the Regionalliga Bayern, on the fourth level.
The most legendary name in the club's history is Helmut Haller, born in Augsburg, player of the club and later become German international. He caused uproar after the lost World Cup Final in 1966 by taking the only match ball back home. According to Haller, a German tradition that the loser of the final may keep the ball, but the English protested that it would belong to hattrick hero Geoff Hurst. Almost 30 years later, the ball moved back to London, finally.
In Augsburg Haller is undisputed and has he become a statue at the WWK ARENA. The statue of Helmut Haller stands in front of the stadium, close to the entrance of block J.
The fanbar of the club in the WWK ARENA. A good spot to have a beer before, during and after the home games of Augsburg. Besides that, there are five showcases dedicated to the history of the club. Not a giant collection, but at these showcases you can still take a little dive in the history of FC Augsburg.
It were scenes that Augsburg only knew from nearby cities: in Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart, there would squares stand full with fans once in a while, not in Augsburg. In 2011 it was finally the little Augsburg's turn, when promotion to the Bundesliga could be celebrated. The team of manager Jos Luhukay appeared on the balcony of the Rathaus, with the Rathausplatz full with blissful fans. A little ill at ease, but the party wasn't less bigger because of that.
Tickets for FC Augsburg can be bought on the official website of the club, whereafter you can print them or pick them up at the ticket office at the stadium.
Augsburg lays along the A8 motorway between Stuttgart and Munich. Take at junction Augsburg-West the B17 around the city, until the WWK Arena appears in sight. There's a lot of space for parking available.
From Augsburg Hauptbahnhof tram 8 goes directly to the stadium. With a match ticket, the tram is free.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
