Signal Iduna Park

It is very common for away supporters to be put inside the corner of the ground, but that is not the case with Signal Iduna Park, where you will be sitting in the central section of the North stand. This is a remarkable touch that will impress supporters straight away, but the ticket allocation usually ranges from 2000 to 3000, and it is also dependent on the opposition.

The view from here is excellent, but the best bit about Dortmund away is typically the atmosphere. The noise that comes from one end of the stadium inside the Yellow Wall is something that all football fans should try and experience at least once if they can.

Borussia Dortmund fans are famous for their loud and passionate chants inside Signal Iduna Park, especially from the Yellow Wall.

Here are the most popular Dortmund chants:

• Heja BVB!
• Echte Liebe
• Ole, Jetzt Kommt der BVB
• You’ll Never Walk Alone
• Wir halten fest und treu zusammen

Signal Iduna Park is popular for striking visuals of tifos and choreographies. The Yellow Wall, a massive standing terrace on the southern side of the stadium, is particularly notorious for some of the most striking tifos in European football.

A protest tifo against UEFA at Signal Iduna Park

🚨🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund fans with huge tifo saying “UEFA MAFIA” 😳

The bottom bit says “You don’t care about the sport – all you care about is money!” (@berger_pj) pic.twitter.com/RQB52AlpZJ

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 1, 2024

The Signal Iduna Park was opened in 1974 to serve as one of the host stadiums for the World Cup. As a result, this is a stadium that enjoys a lot of history, and you will be able to feel the same when you visit the ground, which was previously known as the Westfalenstadion.

This historically rich ground manages to stay unique with a rectangular shape, which is quite different from the bowl style adopted by many European grounds during this period. There are also separate stands that are very reminiscent of the British-style stadiums.

The key sections of the stadium are:

Nord Stand

This is a steep section of the stadium. It is capable of providing very close views of the action due to this incline. An advantage of this stand would be the presence of a cantilevered roof. This is also the section where away supporters are placed.

Sud Stand

This is easily one of the iconic aspects of the Signal Iduna Park, and it is widely known as the Yellow Wall. The stand has been able to pick up this name as a result of being the largest single-tier section in a European stadium.

This section alone has the capacity to hold 24,500 fans. In many ways, this directly goes with Liverpool’s Kop stand – including the rituals like singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before a game.

West Stand

Regarded as the main section of the stadium, the West Stand holds all the changing rooms, dugouts, and tunnels through which players make their way to the pitch. This stand is also where fans with hospitality tickets are accommodated.

Ost Stand

This is the section of Signal Iduna Park that comes with executive boxes and stands that are very close to the sides of the pitch. There can be a maximum of 17,000 supporters in this section alone.

Germany is one of the renowned destinations for beer, and it is not a surprise that many pubs are available in town for you to enjoy just before the game or even after the game. The top pubs in Dortmund are:

• Strobels Bar – Strobelallee 50, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
• Manhattan Sportsbar Dortmund – Von-der-Tann-Straße 13, 44143 Dortmund, Germany
• Ratsschänke – Prinzenstraße 7, 44135 Dortmund, Germany

On a matchday at Signal Iduna Park, food and drink are as much a part of the experience as the roar of the Yellow Wall. Inside the stadium, fans find an array of kiosks and bars serving the classics of German football culture: steaming bratwurst, crispy fries, and cold drinks.

Everything is cashless, making service swift and efficient, and the fare is designed for convenience without losing the local touch. For those who visit on a tour or corporate event, Borussia Dortmund’s catering team also provides tailored dining options, turning a simple stop into a small culinary highlight.

Just outside the ground, the neighbourhood offers plenty of choices to extend the day. The casual fan might grab a quick currywurst at Wurst Willi or tuck into a pizza at Bella Napoli or Pizzeria Firenze, both close enough for a pre-match bite.

Those seeking a sit-down meal can head to the ASH for a hearty steak and grill, or PURiNO at Phoenix Arcaden for Italian dishes served with a modern flair. More refined tastes might prefer the French players at Meridien, while plant-based eaters can enjoy creative vegan dishes at Vagansky.

A short stroll to the Kreuzviertel district opens up even more options, from lively pubs to relaxed cafes, where the atmosphere carries the same anticipation as the stadium itself.

Chicken schnitzel at Dortmund (@BlackYellow @BVB)

💶 €3.80 (£3.30) pic.twitter.com/ED9tVSwnoc

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) December 30, 2022

Krakauer – sausage at Borussia Dortmund (@bvb @BlackYellow)

💶 €4.50 (£3.90) pic.twitter.com/vnu0cPhPcH

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) February 9, 2023

By train

Signal Iduna Park is located in an advantageous position for reaching by train. The main railway station is about 3 km away from the stadium. The process of finding the right train station has been made a lot easier since the closest station is known as the Dortmund Signal Iduna Park. A journey from London will take around seven hours, and you will be passing through the likes of Brussels before reaching the city. There are many connections from the likes of Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, and Wolfsburg. After reaching Dortmund, you can easily take a regional train that will take you to the Signal Iduna Park.

Alternatively, you can also pick the U-Bahn tramline. This can be a lot more convenient due to the presence of many stations in the city. If you are taking the tramline, you have to get off at the Westfalenhallen. Lines 45 and 46 are ideal for this purpose. After getting down, you are just five minutes away from reaching the ground. On match days, you can even try using the next stop – Westfalen Stadion – since the walk is even less.

The train services are abundant in number, with around 3 to 4 available every hour. The prices are very light in the pocket, as you will be spending around a few euros at the most.

By car

It is very easy to reach the Signal Iduna Park due to excellent connections with the Autobahns nearby. The stadium is located in the south of the city. The A1 that heads towards the Dortmund-Unna junction will be your pick for reaching the stadium from the North. Then, you have to take the A44/B1 to reach the stadium. If you are coming from the East, then you should take the A2 on the way to the Dortmund-Nordost junction. From there, you have to take the B235 until Schwerte before switching to the B1. If you are travelling from the south, the A45 to the Dortmund-Sud junction will be your option. From there, you can take the B54 that heads into the stadium. The A40/B1 is the choice for those coming from the west.

After driving to the stadium, you will encounter several options to park your car. The stadium has more than 10,000 parking spots, while there are more spaces available at Westfalenhalle.

If you do not wish to drive yourself, there is easy connectivity to the Dortmund Hauptbahnhof airport in the form of many taxis. The taxis will cost around €15, and it takes about 10 minutes to reach the stadium. An added advantage would be the presence of many ride possibilities that are operated by the club, who also provide parking options in plenty.

Plans to build the Signal Iduna Park as we know it today were first submitted all the way back in the 1960s, as the growing success of Borussia Dortmund rendered their previous home, Stadion Rote Erde, unfit for purpose. The modest size of Rote Erde was no longer suitable for the ever-increasing home crowd Dortmund were attracting; however, due to financial issues, Signal Iduna Park would not be built until 1971, later opening in 1974.

This was because Dortmund was a last-minute replacement for Cologne as a hosting city in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, and as such, funds that were originally earmarked for Cologne were reallocated to Dortmund.

As a result, a brand-new 54,000-seater stadium was constructed, and its fortunate beginnings meant that the ground had pedigree within the sport from the start of its life. It appeared to be a facility destined for greatness, and in the years that followed, it is fair to say that Signal Iduna Park has lived up to that expectation.

Since its construction, the stadium has hosted matches in the Champions League, the 1974 World Cup, the 2006 World Cup and now a further six matches at Euro 2024.

In the present day, the ground’s capacity currently sits at 81,365 for domestic matches and has become an iconic venue for European football, loved by supporters from across the globe.

Locally, Schalke 04 are the biggest rivals of Borussia Dortmund. A clash between these two teams is known as Revierderby, a football spectacle that usually attracts thousands of fans.

Notably, Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke 04 is ranked highly among the most intense derbies in German football.

Confrontation of fans from both sides is always a possibility, so extra security measures are always put in place to avert such eventualities.

Signal Iduna Park is well-known for the Yellow Wall, where Dortmund’s diehard fans, especially the ultras, often occupy, lighting up fireworks and waving tifos. Activities at Dortmund’s Yellow Wall usually get more intense when they host rivals like Schalke.

The most recent 10 encounters between these teams, dating back to November 2017 and March 2023, were dominated by Dortmund.  They had five wins, during which three draws were recorded and two wins in favour of Schalke 04. Unfortunately for Schalke 04, getting relegated to the second tier and an average performance so far in the 2024/25 season mean Revierderby may not be forthcoming anytime soon.

Other Borussia Dortmund rivals

Bayern Munich are the biggest rivals of Borussia Dortmund from a competitive standpoint. VfL Bochum and MSV Duisburg, both of which are based in the Ruhr are are also notable rivals.

A number of measures have been taken by Borussia Dortmund to make life easier for the disabled fans to visit the Signal Iduna Park. For starters, there is a healthy availability of 150 parking spaces for the disabled. There is also a special entrance to the stadium. In order to be eligible for the privileges, fans must make sure that they have all the necessary documents to prove their disability.

Discounted tickets are also one of the ways followed by Dortmund to encourage disabled fans to visit the matches. The price for a severely handicapped ticket will be €16.8 while an accompanying person has to pay €39.90.

Stadium tours at Signal Iduna Park, one of the biggest stadiums in the world, are conducted throughout the year. All tours provide fans with access to VIP areas, the tunnel, the club museum, the press room and dressing rooms.

There are two types of tour at Signal Iduna Park –

• Public
• Private

Public tours take place throughout the week where groups of up to 40 people are taken on a tour around the stadium. Private tours can be booked in advance if you would like a more intimate walk around the stadium with a personal guide for you and your party. Naturally, private tours cost more than public ones.

All tours can be provided in either German or English and they are generally very accommodating of any requests at the stadium. Tours can be booked through the official Dortmund website.

Record attendance

83,000 vs Schalke, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, Rostock (2004-05 & 2005-06 season)

Average attendance

• 2023-2024: 81,302 (Bundesliga)
• 2022-2023: 81,228 (Bundesliga)
• 2021-2022: N/A (Covid)
• 2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
• 2019-2020: 57,297 (Bundesliga)
• 2018-2019: 80,841 (Bundesliga)
• 2017-2018: 79,496 (Bundesliga)

Tickets for Dortmund’s home and away matches can be purchased on the official website. Supporters have the option to choose from standard match tickets, VIP or hospitality packages, and family tickets. However, some specific rules and criteria apply to purchasing away tickets, which fans should be aware of to be considered for away travel.

The ticket prices set by Dortmund are dependent on the seating plan, type of opponent, and competition. There are several categories available.

Most importantly, adults in the family block pay €55 during the 2025/26 season, while the price for children is €10.

Disabled supporters of BVB are charged €15 for a single-match ticket.

Additionally, tickets at Signal Iduna Park are priced based on categories of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 5. The cheapest prices are in the fifth category, with regular ones costing as low as €15 for adults in standing zones.