Salzburg city guide: Key information for Aston Villa fans

Aston Villa‘s first competitive match of the new season will see them make the trip to Salzburg to face Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, August 12, in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.

Unai Emery's side beat Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final in Istanbul on May 20 to end a 30-year wait for a major trophy, earning the chance to compete for the silverware contested between the winners of Europe's two major UEFA club competitions. 

While the encounter marks the first meeting between the two sides since their Champions League quarter-final in 2024-25, it also represents Villa's first appearance in the UEFA Super Cup since 1982, making the trip to Austria one of the club's most eagerly anticipated European away days in a generation.

Below, FootballGroundGuide runs through everything Aston Villa fans need to know before travelling to Salzburg.

Facts about Red Bull Arena

Red Bull Arena has been home to Red Bull Salzburg since 2003 and holds up to 29,520 supporters for UEFA matches, although its capacity drops to 17,218 for standard Austrian Bundesliga fixtures.

Built as a modern two-tiered stadium with four stands and an uninterrupted concourse running around the ground, the stadium also offers clear views of the surrounding Alps beyond its distinctive roof, giving it one of the more striking backdrops in European football.

Where is Red Bull Arena located in Salzburg?

Red Bull Arena sits around 4.5 kilometres west of Salzburg's city centre in the municipality of Wals-Siezenheim, close to the German border.

Salzburg's historic Altstadt, compact enough to explore almost entirely on foot, lies on the opposite side of the city, with the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress towering above the rooftops as its most recognisable landmark.

How to get to Red Bull Arena

By bus

Getting to Red Bull Arena does not have to cost anything extra, as a valid match ticket doubles as free travel across Salzburg's public transport network from six hours before kick-off until the end of service after the game.

Bus routes 1 and 28 run from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to either Klessheimer Allee or the Red Bull Arena stop, both only a few minutes' walk from the stadium. Services operate regularly throughout the day, with the bus ride itself taking around 20 to 25 minutes, plus a short walk to the stadium at the other end.

By S-Bahn

Rail travellers also have a straightforward option. The S2 and S3 lines run from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Taxham Europark in around five to eight minutes.

From there, supporters can either walk roughly 15 minutes to the stadium or catch the number one bus for the final stretch, with no additional ticket required beyond the match admission.

By car

Drivers should leave the A1 motorway at the Klessheim exit, which leads directly towards the stadium. Around 2,000 parking spaces are available on site, although they fill much more quickly for major UEFA fixtures than they do during domestic matches.

Supporters should also note that vehicle access to Salzburg's Old Town is tightly restricted to residents, disabled permit holders and guests with confirmed hotel bookings. Many travelling fans instead choose to park at Messezentrum Salzburg before completing the journey using the free public transport included with their match ticket.

Where to stay in Salzburg

Staying in Salzburg's Altstadt puts supporters within walking distance of many of the city's best-known attractions, restaurants and bars, although accommodation there generally comes at a premium.

Those looking for more affordable options will usually find better value around Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, which also provides excellent transport links to both the city centre and Red Bull Arena.

What else is there to do in Salzburg?

Hohensalzburg Fortress is the city's standout attraction and the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe, rewarding visitors with panoramic views across Salzburg and the surrounding mountains.

Mozart's Birthplace on Getreidegasse remains one of Austria's most popular museums, while Mirabell Palace and Gardens, made famous by The Sound of Music, offer a peaceful spot to spend a few hours before matchday.

Where to eat in Salzburg

Sternbrau, located in the heart of the Old Town, has been serving traditional Austrian food since 1542 and is particularly well known for its hearty Austrian classics and expansive beer garden.

For something lighter, 220 Grad has multiple cafes across the city, with its Old Town branch especially popular, while Die Weisse combines hearty local dishes with beer brewed on site at Austria's oldest wheat beer brewery.

Pubs and bars in Salzburg

Steinterrasse, overlooking the Salzach River and Hohensalzburg Fortress, is one of the city's best spots for a pre-match drink with a view.

Augustiner Braustubl offers a classic Austrian beer hall experience inside a historic monastery building, with brewing traditions dating back to 1621.

Meanwhile, Zirkelwirt, close to Mozartplatz, provides a more relaxed atmosphere for supporters wanting to stay in the heart of the Old Town.

Practical information for fans travelling to Salzburg

Austria uses the euro, and although card payments are widely accepted throughout Salzburg, carrying a small amount of cash is still useful for independent cafés, food stalls and smaller shops.

As this is a UEFA Super Cup rather than a standard Red Bull Salzburg home fixture, tickets will be distributed through UEFA and the two competing clubs, so Aston Villa supporters should follow the club's official ticket announcements rather than Salzburg's usual ticketing system.