Union Berlin’s Stadium Expansion Plans Reduced After Senate Rejection.

Roger Hampel

Photo Credit: Stadion An der Alten Försterei

Union Berlin’s ambition to significantly expand the Stadion An der Alten Försterei has been scaled back after resistance from the Berlin Senate. According to Bild, the proposed upgrade to a 40,500-capacity arena was rejected due to concerns over the club’s traffic and transport concept.

Reduced Capacity Plan

As reported by Bild, the Senate did not approve Union Berlin’s shuttle-bus strategy to manage matchday congestion. Currently, the stadium accommodates just over 22,000 spectators, and demand for tickets regularly outstrips supply. The revised plan reduces expansion capacity to around 34,000 seats, rather than the originally targeted 40,500.

The newspaper adds that without this compromise, the entire project risked being cancelled. Whether the smaller version of the stadium will gain Senate approval remains uncertain.

Financial and Structural Adjustments Union Berlin Stadium

According to Bild, the new design foresees fewer standing terraces and a larger number of seating areas. While this represents a departure from Union’s traditional matchday culture, it would allow the club to generate higher revenues through increased ticket prices.

The project is now expected to be completed by 2027, though timelines could shift depending on further negotiations with city authorities.

The shift underscores the balancing act between Union’s rising popularity in the Bundesliga and the practical limitations of urban infrastructure.

Union Berlin’s case highlights the broader challenges football clubs face in expanding stadium capacity in densely populated urban areas. Infrastructure, transport, and community concerns can significantly influence feasibility, even when sporting and commercial demand is evident.