Spotlight falls on new Munich Arena

Image: SWMunich, Populous, Henn, and Loth and Partner

New images have been released showcasing the spectacular arena being built to the north of Munich in Germany.

Munich Arena in Freising has been designed by Populous and is set to create a milestone in the presentation of concerts, live entertainment and spectacular events.

The state-of-the-art, multifunctional venue, close to Munich International Airport, is designed for first-class live events and will offer around 20,000 spectators an extraordinary event experience in a unique setting.

The arena, set to open in 2029, will be located in a new green space next to LabCampus, the technology and innovation centre at Munich Airport, with the seating to be arranged in a 270° horseshoe shape.

A generous and inviting Arena Plaza guides the visitors from the main LabCampus towards the Arena entrances, while a premium multi-story car park provides direct covered access to the venue.

The Arena facade is open towards the East, welcoming spectators into the building on two levels, then gradually closes and solidifies towards the western side, as the final element of the wider development.

Image: SWMunich, Populous, Henn, and Loth and Partner

SWMunich will build and operate the venue, backed by more than €300 million of private sector investment.

Munich Arena, which has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Live Nation, will provide an economic impetus for the entire region.

A new economic impact study by consulting firm Deloitte estimates a GVA (Gross Added Value) of €391 million will be injected into the local economy during the construction phase.

After opening, the study estimates the arena will generate an annual value for the city and region of €354 million.

Image: SWMunich, Populous, Henn, and Loth and Partner

Populous developed the design together with general planners HENN from Munich and landscape architects Latz+Partner from Freising.

Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal and Global Director at Populous, said, “We are extremely proud to be working on the Munich Arena project, combining the local approach of our team in Germany with the resources and expertise in Arena design from our teams around the world.

“Our aim has been to create a unique venue that will be an iconic destination for live events and experiences in Bavaria and beyond.”

The aim for the Populous design team was to develop a sustainable, multi-functional venue that will redefine the entire visitor experience.

The brief also included the development of a unique, iconic design that pays homage to Bavarian heritage and culture, to create a venue with a distinctive and instantly recognisable form.

The design features a diamond-shaped exoskeleton as that refers to the diamond-like shapes of the Bavarian state flag and gives the venue its striking appearance.

The project also implements a unique and new approach to bowl design inside the venue, creating a unique experience for visitors. The seating is arranged in a horseshoe shape (270 degrees), clearly focusing on the multifunctional stage.

A combination of steeply raked seating, state-of-the-art technology, and cutting-edge acoustic design will result in world-class experiences at concerts and live events.

The venue is aiming for DGNB Gold certification in Germany, which would make Munich Arena the first concert arena to receive such a high accolade. This is made possible by life cycle-based planning, which provides for a reduction of the carbon footprint during construction, as well as sustainable strategies for building operation.

Populous said sustainability is approached holistically, not only in terms of ecological aspects, but also as an economic and social mission.

In addition to the use of resource-efficient materials and energy-efficient technology, the focus is also on long-term economic viability and integration into the region.

The installation of several thousand PV/solar panels on the roof of the arena, car park and hotel – in combination with the existing opportunity for geothermal and district heating – ensures a self-sufficient energy supply.

The sustainability strategy for the venue has been developed and in close cooperation with the German Sustainable Building Council and will be measurable from the outset.

The interior design considers the ever-increasing demands of artists in terms of technology, stage shows and production.

Extensive details have been implemented to satisfy the needs of artists, organisers and visitors and provide an incomparable concert and live event experience. At the same time, a key goal has been to integrate a truly local Munich and Bavarian identity, creating a bespoke and unique venue that is firmly rooted in its region and could not be found anywhere else.

Lorenz Schmid, Managing Director, Munich Arena, said, “My team and I will continue to drive the vision forward for the Munich Arena. Our aim is to offer the region and its residents a unique venue for unforgettable live experiences that shines nationally and internationally, and serves as a driving force for culture, business and tourism.”

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