Everyone in Kaiserslautern knows it - the Betzenberg. Not only as a district, but above all as the soccer stadium of FCK 1, which is affectionately known as "Der Betze". 1. FC Kaiserslautern is still one of the biggest and most successful traditional clubs in German soccer history. Even though the glorious days in the 1st Bundesliga and 4 German championships were some time ago, soccer in Lautern is more than just sport. It is a way of life, an attitude, pride, tradition and family. This is not only reflected on match days, but is present everywhere in the town.
The stadium was built back in 1919 and was extended and enlarged again for the 2006 World Cup in order to host matches here. A total of almost 50,000 fans fit into this imposing building, almost half of Kaiserslautern's population. On match days in the current 3rd Bundesliga, streams of 1st FCK fans make a pilgrimage to the stadium to cheer on their club. However, it's better to watch the heated atmosphere in the legendary Westkurve from a safe distance on your first visit. Anyone who has studied in Lautern must have been here once to be able to tick off the 10th goal on our bucket list and experience the pulse of the city in the stadium.
Further information
You can always find up-to-date information on the match schedule and all home games on the 1. FCK website
If you don't want to throw yourself into the turmoil of a match straight away and would rather have a bit of background information about the stadium, the club and its history, a guided stadium tour is just the thing for you. It can be booked on the FCK website or by e-mail in German and English.
Duration
It is worth arriving at the stadium at least one hour before the start of the match, looking for your own seat (for seated tickets) or a suitable standing area and enjoying the atmosphere. You should also allow a little time after the end of the match, as there may be waiting times at the exits if there are a lot of spectators in the stadium. So plan 3-4 hours for a visit to the stadium.
