Posted on 17th November 2014
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
These FSF guides are intended to offer a quick snapshot of advice and info for fans ahead of their trips to Europe – if you have any specific questions about the city, how to get there, where to stay or anything else then simply email us your questions. Through our extensive network of contacts at Football Supporters Europe and experience of travelling across Europe ourselves, we will be able to answer just about any query you have.
About Wolfsburg
Like Leverkusen, Wolfsburg is one of the so-called “Werksvereine” (company clubs) due to its roots and strong links with the car company Volkswagen which is also the main sponsor of the club.
The club was founded in 1945 as VSK Wolfsburg. They had spent most of their time in the 2nd and 3rd division before they started to enjoy some success in the 90s and ended up going on to the top flight on the strength of a second place league finish in 1997. Early predictions were that the club would immediately be sent back down, but instead, the Wolves developed into a mid-table Bundesliga side.
About the Stadium
The stadium is very centrally located, directly at the Mittellandkanal and opposite the Volkswagen factory buildings.
The main home fans‘ area is located on the lower tier of the north end of the ground, opposite the away fans area. Apart from that, a so called „singing area“ with about 400 places has just established on the tier above. The away fans area is to be found in the corner between the opposite stand and the south end of the ground, directly at the Mittellandkanal.
From the city centre it takes you about 15 minutes to walk to the ground. Alternatively, you can take bus no 201 or 202, going to Nordstadt or Wendschott and get off at a stop called Autostadt. On matchdays, your ticket for the game allows you free travel on all public transport vehicles of the local public transport company called Wolfsburger Verkehrsgesellschaft (WVG)
There are no lockers at the train station but you can deposit your bags and rucksacks at the ground if need be.
About the City
Wolfsburg is almost a baby in terms of its age and its existence is unfortunately strongly linked with Hitler and the foundation of the Volkswagen company during the Third Reich. Founded in 1938, the formation of Wolfsburg, however, is still considered one of the most significant city foundings of the 20th century. Within only two generations, a modern city has emerged, boasting a relatively high standard of living and about 120.000 inhabitants.
If you have an unhealthy interest in cars then a visit to the AutoStadt is a must. An amusement/theme park with a difference, it is located on the opposite side of the river from the main town, on the edge of the Volkswagen factory complex.
It houses all sorts from shops (including a rare book shop – ZeitReise shop – for John), to a car history museum, to restaurants and is the starting point for factory tours and boat tours amongst other things. Tours are from 45 minutes upwards, but, to give you an idea of the size of the place, two day passes are available. Most attractions are independently priced.
Due to the size of the city, there only is a bus network in place. Tickets for adults are valid for 90 minutes throughout the network at cost of €2 More info can be found at www.wvg.de. If the bus doesn’t suit you, you can always ring a taxi – 0049 5361 23023
Eating and Drinking
There are several bars and pubs inside the shopping mall called „Kaufhof“ which is conspicuous and located in the small city centre of Wolfsburg. However, clashes with Wolfsburg fans at this place can happen as many of the home fans usually have their pre-match beer in the numerous bars there.
A rather high police presence is to be expected in this area and they may even announce an entry ban for English fans. But there are also quite a few other bars spread all over the city centre. Porschestrasse is the pedestrian shopping street that runs all the way through town from the railway station to the Holiday Inn. Along here there are a few cafe bars including the smart Cafe Celona which is on the corner of Kleisstrasse. At the top end of Porschestrasse opposite the Holiday Inn is the Paulaner Botschaft, an authentic German pub with menu to match.
Between the station and the stadium (10-15 minute walk) and before you cross the bridge are 3 bars, two are Italian owned, BarAzzurri and Bar del Sud, and opposite on the other side of the street is the trendier looking Robert de Niro’s.
For the beer connoisseurs, a beer house with its own brewery is about 3 miles west from the town centre, It is called the Brauhaus Fallersleben and is on Schlossplatz, 38442 Wolfsburg.
In 2009 an Irish Pub finally opened in the city of Wolfsburg, on Porschestraße. It is across the Street from the Sparkasse Bank. According to our contacts it’s not the cheapest, but the beer is good. Failing that, the only other place that allegedly has a sort of pub atmosphere and even has cider on offer is called Tiffany and is is located inside the Kaufhof shopping mall.
Back in 2012 the European Championships were held in Poland and Ukraine, and the city of Kiev hosted 5 games, including England’s group game against Sweden and the rather one-sided final on 1st July between Spain and Italy.
FSF Cymru have produced helpful guides for visiting fans travelling to Wales for international matches this year – and they’re available to download now.
This FSF guide has been produced ahead of the Champions League final fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday 1st June. It will be updated as and when we receive new information from Uefa or local sources.
Wales take on Ireland this month in Dublin as their World Cup qualifying continues and FSF Cymru will be on hand to assist travelling fans.
