Signal Iduna Park away guide

Borussia Dortmund play at Signal Iduna Park, around 4 km south of the centre. Beyond a direct London Luton service there are no direct UK flights, so most fans fly to Düsseldorf and take the train across, about 50 minutes. Away fans go in the Nord Tribune, standing blocks 60 and 61, opposite the Yellow Wall, with an allocation usually 2,000 to 3,800.

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

Dortmund's own airport only takes a direct UK flight from London Luton, so London fans can fly straight in, while from anywhere else the sensible route is to fly to the region's hub, Düsseldorf, and take the train across, roughly 50 minutes to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof. Cologne/Bonn works as a second hub if Düsseldorf fares are steep, just a longer train in. Costs and times below are estimates and move with the fixture and how early you book.

Getting there from the airport, centre and station

The quickest route from the city is the train. The stadium has its own station, Dortmund Signal Iduna Park, a short ride from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof.

By light rail the main line is the U45, which runs at least every five minutes between the Hauptbahnhof and the Stadion stop from about three hours before kick-off until 90 minutes after the final whistle. More lines serve the area: the U42 stops at Theodor-Fliedner-Heim and the U46 stops at Westfalenhallen, with reinforced matchday buses on the 450 plus extra services on the 453 and 448.

To walk, it is roughly 3 km from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof to the ground, about a 30 to 40 minute walk. From the nearest tram or train stops it is a 5 to 10 minute walk.

Where away fans go: section and turnstiles

Away supporters are in the Nord Tribune, the north stand directly opposite the Yellow Wall, spread across standing blocks 08, 60 and 61 and seated blocks 70, 71 and 75. Unusually, away fans are placed in the central column of the stand rather than shoved into a corner, so the view of the home end is a good one. For domestic games the standing blocks 60 and 61 are the usual away allocation; for UEFA games the seats stay down and standing is not permitted.

As a worked example, for a recent Bayer Leverkusen away trip the away entrance was Eingang Nord (North entrance), with away blocks 08/60/61 standing and 70/75 seated. Check your own club's away-fan information for the entrance and blocks on the day, as these vary by fixture.

What you can bring in

Every visitor goes through a security check. Banned items officially include bottles, laser pointers, fireworks and weapons of any kind, and both you and your bag are searched before your ticket barcode is scanned at the turnstile.

For a recent away fixture the prohibited list also covered bags larger than A4, professional cameras, bottles, pyrotechnics, vapes, power banks and cannabis, while permitted fan materials included flags up to 1.5 m on hollow plastic tubes and fan-club banners where space allows. The practical advice is to avoid large bags, as security is tight and bag checks are routine. Note the ground is cashless as of 2025, so bring a contactless card or phone for beer and food inside.

Atmosphere

The stadium is known for its south stand, the Sudtribune, also called the Yellow Wall or Die Gelbe Wand. It holds 24,454 standing spectators, is the largest terrace for standing spectators in European football, and is known for creating an intense matchday atmosphere. As an away fan you sit or stand in the Nord Tribune directly opposite, which is the best seat in the house for watching it.

Where to drink

German football keeps beer cheap and away fans welcome. A half-litre in a neighbourhood pub runs around €3.76, and Dortmund gave its name to the Pilsner, so a local Brinkhoff's or DAB is the thing to order.

• Alter Markt (Old Market Square): the established, safe meeting point for thousands of away fans, ringed with traditional pubs; gets exceptionally busy on matchday.
• Brauhaus Wenkers: a big brewhouse on the Alter Markt, about 10 minutes' walk from the Hauptbahnhof and a usual away-fan gathering spot.
• Limericks Irish Pub: minutes from the main station, Guinness, Irish pub food and live weekend music, an easy landing spot straight off the train.
• Kreuzviertel bars (Balke, Kumpel Erich, Café Ferdinand): a relaxed local quarter of pubs and cafés, about a 20 minute walk from the ground and a calmer alternative to the square.
• Uncle Tom's: American-style bar in the Kreuzviertel with good cocktails if beer halls are not your thing.

No specific area needs avoiding. The Alter Markt and the stadium concourses are policed and well-drilled for away crowds; the usual travel sense applies, keep colours sensible where fixtures are heated and follow police direction to and from the ground.

Where to eat

• Currywurst stands: the Dortmund street-food classic, sliced sausage in curried tomato sauce, found on the Alter Markt and outside the ground.
• Salzkuchen: a circular salted bread roll unique to Dortmund, the local bakery snack to try.
• Zum Alten Markt: a traditional brewery beer hall serving Westphalian specialities for around €13.
• Brinkhurl's No. 1: a similar traditional house with schnitzel around €12 and steaks around €15.
• Café Ferdinand (Kreuzviertel): a spacious modern café-bar with salads, meat and fish around €13 to €14.
• Pfefferpotthast: the regional dish to seek out, a peppery slow-cooked beef and onion stew, served in city-centre houses.

What to do

• German Football Museum (Deutsches Fußballmuseum): right by the Hauptbahnhof, the national game's story, the trophy room and a 3D match, essential for a football weekend.
• Zeche Zollern: a decommissioned colliery, the "Castle of Labour", with an Art Nouveau machine hall and a museum of Ruhr mining life.
• Reinoldikirche: the medieval church in the heart of the old town, climb the tower for a city view.
• Dortmunder U (U-Tower): the landmark former brewery tower, now an arts and creativity centre with rotating exhibitions.
• Westfalenpark and the Florianturm: a large city park with the broadcast tower and gardens, a short hop from the stadium.
• Alter Markt: the 12th-century market square, the social centre of the city for shopping, eating and drinking.
• Signal Iduna Park itself: worth arriving early to see the Yellow Wall fill up, one of the sights of European football in its own right.

Common questions

How do I get from Dortmund Airport to the stadium?

Dortmund Airport (DTM) is small and close in. Take the AirportExpress shuttle to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, about 25 minutes, then the U45 light rail to the Stadion stop. All in it is under an hour. On matchday your BVB ticket covers the local leg once you are on regional trains and buses.

Which airport should I fly to for Borussia Dortmund, and is there a hub?

London has a direct Wizz Air service from Luton into Dortmund (DTM). From anywhere else in the UK there is no direct flight, so fly to the regional hub, Düsseldorf (DUS), and take the train, about 50 minutes to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof. Cologne/Bonn is a workable alternative hub.

Where do away fans sit at Signal Iduna Park?

In the Nord Tribune, the north stand directly opposite the Yellow Wall. The standing away blocks are 60 and 61, with seated blocks 70, 71 and 75 and standing 08 used depending on the fixture. Away fans sit in the central column of the stand rather than a corner, so the view across to the home end is one of the best in Europe.

What is the away allocation?

Typically 2,000 to 3,000 for a domestic fixture, rising with the opposition. Big European nights go higher; Celtic took 3,800 and sold out, and the real away travelling number is often larger than the ticketed one. Check your own club's away scheme for the exact figure on the day.

What time should I arrive?

Give yourself time on the Alter Markt beforehand, it is the away meeting point and fills up early. The U45 runs from about three hours before kick-off and gets very busy, so aim to be at the ground 45 to 60 minutes before kick-off to clear the bag check and see the Yellow Wall assemble.

Can I drink in the ground?

For domestic games, yes, beer is served on the concourse and blocks. For UEFA matches you cannot take alcohol into the stands but the concourse still serves before kick-off and at half time. The ground is cashless, so bring a card or phone.

How much is a beer?

Around €3.76 for a half-litre in a neighbourhood pub, which is cheap by UK standards. Dortmund is the home of the Pilsner style, so order a local Brinkhoff's or DAB. Stadium prices are a little higher but still reasonable, and the ground is cashless.

Is Dortmund safe for away fans?

Yes. The Alter Markt is a long-established, safe meeting point for thousands of visiting supporters and German policing around the ground is well-organised. No area needs avoiding. Apply normal travel sense, follow police direction on the walk to and from the stadium, and keep colours sensible for the more heated fixtures.

Which areas are good for away fans?

The Alter Markt (Old Market Square) is the classic away hub, ten minutes from the station and full of traditional pubs. For a quieter pre-match the Kreuzviertel quarter is a relaxed spread of bars and cafés about 20 minutes' walk from the ground.

Does my match ticket cover local transport?

Yes. Your BVB match ticket is valid for one return journey on regional trains (2nd class) and buses across North Rhine-Westphalia on matchday, so you do not need a separate fare to reach the ground. Keep the ticket on you for the journey there and back.

How far is the stadium from the city centre?

About 4 km south of the centre, roughly 3 km from the Hauptbahnhof, which is a 30 to 40 minute walk or a few minutes on the U45 light rail. The stadium has its own station, Dortmund Signal Iduna Park, a short ride from the Hauptbahnhof, and it is a 5 to 10 minute walk in from the nearest stops.

Where should I stay?

Base yourself near the Hauptbahnhof or the Alter Markt in the centre. It puts you on the U45 line straight to the ground, walking distance from the away pubs and the German Football Museum, and handy for the airport shuttle and Düsseldorf trains. The Kreuzviertel is a pleasant, quieter alternative within walking distance of the stadium.

What is the Yellow Wall?

It is the south stand, the Sudtribune, a 24,454-capacity standing terrace that is the largest for standing spectators in European football. It is the home end, so away fans are in the Nord Tribune directly opposite, which is the best vantage point for watching it in full voice.