SAP Garden: A Family Guide to Munich's New Arena in Olympiapark
SAP Garden is Munich's newest arena, opened in September 2024 on the site of the 1972 Olympic cycling stadium at the northern edge of Olympiapark (Toni-Merkens-Weg, 80809 Munich). It's the home venue for two pro teams: EHC Red Bull München (ice hockey, up to 10,796 seats) and FC Bayern's Basketball team (up to 11,500 seats for around 20 home games a season, mostly EuroLeague matches), with match tickets sold through the clubs and München Ticket. But it's also a genuine public facility for families: the arena runs three public ice surfaces that took over recreational skating, figure skating, and ice dance sessions from the now-closed Olympic Ice Sports Centre, with public skating tickets around 9.50 EUR for adults, 4.50 EUR for ages 4-12, and 6.50 EUR for ages 13-17. Getting there matters more than at most Olympiapark venues: the nearest U-Bahn, Gern (U1/U7), is a genuine 15-minute walk, while tram lines 20 and 21 stop at Olympiapark West just a few hundred meters from the entrance, the far more practical option with kids in tow. If you'd rather explore than attend a game, you don't need to wait for a rare open day, bookable Arena-Touren run regularly through the official ticket shop, individually or as a group.
The Official Rule
SAP Garden is Munich’s newest major arena, and understanding what it actually offers beyond professional matches, plus the least obvious but most useful transit detail, makes a first family visit far less confusing.
It opened in September 2024 on the site of the 1972 Olympic Games’ cycling stadium, at the northern edge of Olympiapark. Wikipedia’s SAP Garden entry confirms the arena seats up to 10,796 for ice hockey and up to 11,500 for basketball, and muenchen.de’s official venue page confirms the address as Toni-Merkens-Weg, 80809 Munich.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opened | September 2024, former 1972 Olympic cycling stadium site |
| Address | Toni-Merkens-Weg, 80809 Munich (north edge of Olympiapark) |
| Home teams | EHC Red Bull München (ice hockey), FC Bayern Basketball |
| Capacity | Up to 10,796 (ice hockey), up to 11,500 (basketball) |
| Public skating | ~9.50 EUR adults, 4.50 EUR ages 4-12, 6.50 EUR ages 13-17 |
| Nearest U-Bahn | Gern (U1/U7), ~15-minute walk |
| Nearest tram | Olympiapark West (lines 20/21), a few hundred meters away |
Two professional teams call it home, but that’s not the whole story for families. FC Bayern Basketball’s official club information confirms the team plays around 20 home games a season at SAP Garden, mostly top-level EuroLeague matches, alongside EHC Red Bull München’s ice hockey schedule. Match tickets go through the clubs directly or München Ticket, and popular fixtures do sell out.
Three public ice surfaces genuinely replaced a facility families used to rely on. The official muenchen.de venue page confirms SAP Garden now hosts the recreational skating, figure skating, and ice dance sessions that used to run at the Olympic Ice Sports Centre, which has since closed. Public skating tickets run around 9.50 EUR for adults, 4.50 EUR for children aged 4 to 12, and 6.50 EUR for teens 13 to 17, with a five-person group rate also available, and the sessions are open to anyone, not just members of a training club.
Getting there with kids is genuinely easier by tram than by U-Bahn. SAP Garden’s official arrival page confirms the nearest U-Bahn station, Gern on lines U1 and U7, is a real 15-minute walk from the arena. Tram lines 20 and 21 stop at Olympiapark West, just a few hundred meters from the entrance, which is the far more practical route if you’re managing a stroller or young children. Drivers can use the 3,500-space Parkharfe directly in front of the arena, reachable via Toni-Merkens-Weg or directly off the B2R.
What Real People Say
Families who’ve used the public skating sessions describe the tram route via Olympiapark West as the clear winner over the U-Bahn walk from Gern, several specifically mention it being the difference between an easy outing and a long trek with young kids and skating gear.
Visitors who’ve attended a FC Bayern Basketball or EHC Red Bull München game describe the arena as noticeably more modern and family-comfortable than older Munich sports venues, several note that popular EuroLeague fixtures sell out well in advance, so booking early matters if you want a specific date.
Step by Step
- Decide what you’re actually going for: a professional game (book through the club or München Ticket well ahead), public skating (check current session times), or just to see the building (book one of the regular Arena-Touren through the official ticket shop).
- Plan your route around the tram, not the U-Bahn, tram 20 or 21 to Olympiapark West is a few hundred meters from the entrance, versus a genuine 15-minute walk from U-Bahn Gern.
- If you’re driving, head for the Parkharfe, the 3,500-space car park directly in front of the arena, accessible from Toni-Merkens-Weg or the B2R.
- For public skating, confirm current session times and prices before you go, ice time is shared with training clubs and figure skating schools, so public hours vary.
- For match tickets, book early, especially for EuroLeague basketball fixtures, which regularly sell out.
Compliance Note
This page explains SAP Garden’s general facilities, public skating offering, and transit access as published by the venue and the City of Munich, current as of mid-2026. Game schedules, public skating hours, and ticket prices change regularly. Confirm current details directly on the SAP Garden, FC Bayern Basketball, or EHC Red Bull München official sites before you go.
FAQ & Common Pitfalls
Is SAP Garden only for people who follow ice hockey or basketball?
No, that's the part newcomers most often miss. Alongside EHC Red Bull München's and FC Bayern Basketball's home games, SAP Garden runs three public ice surfaces open for recreational skating, figure skating, and ice dance, the same public skating function the now-closed Olympic Ice Sports Centre used to serve. You don't need to follow either pro team to use the rinks.
What's the actual best way to get there with kids?
Tram, not U-Bahn. The nearest U-Bahn station, Gern on lines U1 and U7, is a genuine 15-minute walk from the arena. Tram lines 20 and 21 stop at Olympiapark West just a few hundred meters from the entrance, which is the far more practical option if you're managing young kids or a stroller.
How much does public skating cost for a family?
Tickets run around 9.50 EUR for adults, 4.50 EUR for children aged 4 to 12, and 6.50 EUR for teens 13 to 17, with group rates also available. Confirm current prices and public skating session times before you go, since ice time is shared with training clubs and figure skating schools.
Can we just show up to look around without buying a game ticket?
Not without a ticket to a match itself, that requires going through the clubs or München Ticket, but you don't have to attend a game to see the building. Since early 2025, SAP Garden has sold regular, bookable Arena-Touren through its official ticket shop, both for individuals and groups, running independently of the match schedule, so it's no longer a matter of catching a rare open day, you can just book one.