Getting to Leipzig for the football

There are no reliable direct UK flights to Leipzig, so fly to Berlin Brandenburg (BER), which Manchester and London both serve direct, then take an IC or ICE train to Leipzig Hbf in about 1h15 to 1h30. From the station, trams 3, 7 or 15 reach Sportforum by the Red Bull Arena in under 10 minutes. Away fans sit in the south-east corner.

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

There is no dependable direct flight from the UK to Leipzig/Halle, so fly to the nearest big hub and go overland. Berlin Brandenburg (BER) is the closest, served direct from both Manchester and London, and IC or ICE trains run BER to Leipzig Hbf in about 1h15 to 1h30. Frankfurt (FRA) has far more UK flights but a longer train, so it is the fallback rather than the first choice. Costs are estimates that swing with how early you book.

If an airline briefly restores a Leipzig/Halle route on your match date, that is the shortest option of all, so it is worth a quick check before you book.

Getting into Leipzig: airport and the main station

Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) sits between Leipzig and Halle and is fine if you arrive on a hub connection or a returning charter. The S-Bahn S5/S5X runs from the airport's own station to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes, and the airport-to-city ticket is a 3-zone single fare that also lets you transfer onto a tram or bus within 120 minutes of validation.

Arriving by train from Berlin, you come in at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, Europe's largest railway station by floor area at 83,460 m², with 21 overground platforms. Trams for the stadium and the city run straight from stops outside the station.

From the station out to the Red Bull Arena

The ground is close in and easy. It is about 2 km from the centre, a roughly 20-minute walk. By tram from Leipzig Hbf, take lines 3, 7 or 15 to the Sportforum stop, under 10 minutes, then a five-minute walk. Away-fan guides list trams 3, 7, 8 and 15 to Sportforum Süd or Sportforum Ost, both next to the arena, with matchday special lines 54 and 56 also running.

Driving is not advised. There is no designated away-fan car park and parking is limited. The city runs an integrated tram, bus and S-Bahn network under LVB, with the whole of Leipzig in fare zone 110. Fares in that zone are a 3.60 euro single valid one hour, a 2.40 euro short-trip ticket, and a 10.20 euro 24-hour day ticket.

Where to stay

The city centre (Zentrum) is the natural base: walkable to bars, restaurants and the tram lines, and only about 2 km from the stadium. The Waldstraßenviertel, between the centre and the ground, and the lively Südvorstadt around Karl-Liebknecht-Straße are both handy alternatives on the tram routes.

Inside the stadium and allocation

Away fans are housed in the south-east corner, between sections C and D across both tiers. Keep clear of section B, where the RB Leipzig ultras stand. A typical allocation is around 2,285 tickets, roughly 534 seated and 1,727 standing, though it varies by fixture. The concourse is spacious and serves food and drink, and you can take beer to your seat, which is a novelty for English visitors used to the dry seating rule at home.

Where to drink

• Arena Sportsbar, Am Sportforum 2: the closest option to the ground, busy and functional on matchday, handy for a quick pre-match pint. Named in away guides.
• Bobby's Pub, Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße 3: a relaxed spot on the tram route between the centre and the stadium. Away-fan friendly.
• Champions Leipzig, Brühl 33: central sports bar showing football, easy for a group. Recommended for visitors.
• Barthels Hof, Hainstraße 1: a historic courtyard tavern with local beer and Saxon food in the old town. A guide pick.
• Killiwilly Irish Pub, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 44: on the "KarLi" strip, English-speaking, football on, one of the friendliest streets in the city for a session.
• Flowerpower, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 74: a Leipzig institution with cheap drinks, retro decor and a late crowd if you want to make a night of it.

A pint of local beer runs around 4 pounds. On a rivalry day give the ultra-leaning bars around Connewitz a wide berth, and, as everywhere, skip Eisenbahnstraße late at night.

Where to eat

• Auerbachs Keller, Grimmaische Straße/Mädlerpassage: Leipzig's most famous restaurant, the cellar from Goethe's Faust, serving hearty Saxon dishes. Book ahead for the vaulted Großer Keller.
• Bayerischer Bahnhof, Bayrischer Platz 1: a brewery restaurant in a former station, and the place to try Leipzig's own sour beer, Gose.
• Ratskeller, Lotterstraße 1: the town-hall cellar, big portions of traditional German food at fair prices. A regular guide pick.
• Max Enk, Neumarkt 21: smart regional cooking, including Leipziger Allerlei done properly with crayfish and morels.
• Kolinar, Kolonnadenstraße 12: reliable Italian if the group wants a change from Saxon fare. Listed in away guides.

Local things to try: Leipziger Allerlei, a vegetable dish traditionally served with crayfish and morels; the Leipziger Lerche, a sweet shortcrust pastry; and a glass of Gose, the tart, coriander-and-salt wheat beer that is the city's signature drink.

What to do

• Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations): a 91-metre monument completed in 1913, marking the 1813 battle where Napoleon was defeated. Climb it for the view.
• Thomaskirche (St Thomas Church): Bach was music director here from 1723 until his death in 1750, and the church holds his grave.
• Bach Museum: opposite the Thomaskirche, dedicated to the composer's life and works, with original instruments and listening stations.
• Spinnerei: a former cotton mill turned contemporary art centre with more than 100 studios, 11 galleries and a cinema, the heart of the "New Leipzig School".
• Nikolaikirche and the Runde Ecke: the church and former Stasi headquarters at the centre of the 1989 peaceful revolution that helped bring down the Wall.
• Panorama Tower (City-Hochhaus): the tallest building in the centre, with a rooftop viewing platform over the whole city.
• Zoo Leipzig: one of Europe's most respected zoos, with the Gondwanaland tropical hall, if you have a spare morning with kids or otherwise.

Common questions

How do I get to the Red Bull Arena from the airport?

If you fly a hub route into Berlin Brandenburg (BER), take an IC or ICE train to Leipzig Hbf in about 1h15 to 1h30, then tram 3, 7 or 15 to Sportforum, under 10 minutes. If you land at Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), the S5/S5X reaches Leipzig Hbf in about 15 minutes, then the same tram.

Which airport should I use, and is there a hub?

There is no dependable direct UK flight to Leipzig, so the practical answer is to fly to the hub, Berlin Brandenburg (BER), which Manchester and London serve direct, and take an IC/ICE across to Leipzig in about 1h15 to 1h30. The last direct UK route, London City to Leipzig/Halle, ends in May 2026. Frankfurt is a slower alternative at about three hours by train.

Where do away fans sit?

In the south-east corner of the ground, between sections C and D, across both tiers. Steer well clear of section B, which is the home ultras' end and strictly home-only. The corner gives a good view of the pitch and the concourse behind it is roomy.

How big is the away allocation?

A typical away allocation is around 2,285 tickets, roughly 534 seated and 1,727 standing, with wheelchair bays included. The exact number varies by competition and fixture, so check with your own club before travelling. The stadium holds 47,800 for league games and 45,228 for UEFA matches.

What time should I arrive at the ground?

Aim to be at Sportforum 45 minutes to an hour before kick-off. The tram from the centre is under 10 minutes, but matchday trams fill up, so allow buffer for queues at the turnstiles and a bag search. That leaves time to use the spacious away concourse before the teams come out.

Can I drink in the ground?

Yes. The away concourse serves food and drink, and you can take beer to your seat, which visiting English fans will not be used to. It is usually a lower-strength matchday beer rather than a full-strength pint, in the normal German stadium way.

How much is a beer?

A pint of local beer around the city runs about 4 pounds. Inside the ground it is broadly similar. Try a Gose while you are here, the tart local wheat beer, best sampled at the Bayerischer Bahnhof brewery.

Is Leipzig safe?

Yes. Leipzig is described as a very safe mid-sized city, with pickpocketing less of a problem than in many other cities. Watch for pickpockets at busy tourist spots and on crowded trams at peak times, keep valuables to the front, and be a little more cautious around Eisenbahnstraße and poorly lit areas late at night.

Where are the away-friendly areas to drink?

The old town around Barthels Hof and the Brühl, plus the Karl-Liebknecht-Straße ("KarLi") strip in the south, are relaxed and used to visitors. Closest to the ground, the Arena Sportsbar on Am Sportforum is the obvious pre-match stop. Avoid the ultra-leaning bars around Connewitz on a rivalry day.

Does my match ticket cover public transport?

Not as standard for league games. It applied for the 2026 Conference League final, when the match ticket doubled as a public-transport ticket in fare zone 110 for a window before and after the game, but that does not automatically extend to regular fixtures. Check the terms for your specific match; otherwise buy a zone 110 single or day ticket.

How far is the stadium from the city centre?

Close. It is about 2 km, roughly a 20-minute walk, or a tram ride of under 10 minutes on lines 3, 7 or 15 to Sportforum. You can comfortably base yourself in the centre and walk or tram to the ground.

Where should I stay?

The city centre (Zentrum) is the natural base, walkable to bars and restaurants and only about 2 km from the stadium. The Waldstraßenviertel sits between the centre and the ground, and the Südvorstadt around KarLi is good for nightlife, both on direct tram lines.

Do I need cash, or are cards fine?

Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger bars, but Germany is still more cash-friendly than the UK. Carry some euros for smaller bars, kiosks and the odd tram machine, and you will not get caught out.