To research this blog article for you, for once I didn't go out into nature or to a time-honored landmark. - No, this time I'm taking you to a magical place that makes soccer fans' hearts beat faster: the MEWA Arena, the stadium of our Rheinhessen soccer team, which is firmly established in the 1st division. 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Loyal fans have accompanied the team to the old Bruchweg Stadium for many years, even in the second division. In 2011, they witnessed the move to the new stadium near the Europakreisel. No longer just known as a "carnival club", the team is now firmly established as a dangerous opponent in the first division. Discover the MEWA Arena with me from a professional's perspective, from the players' bus to the pitch.
Fan equipment is mandatory
Of course, solid fan equipment is a must at a soccer match, so make sure you are properly kitted out first. In the new fan store directly at the stadium, you can find everything that a real fan simply has to have: from key rings to home and away jerseys, caps and hats, scarves ... - even the first kit for small children with the logo can be purchased here. My personal favorite is definitely the garden gnome in the changing room!
On the way to the pitch
Stadium tours are offered several times a week. They last approx. 45 minutes on match days and approx. 90 minutes on non-match days.
Finn will show us all the accessible rooms today and will certainly reveal some insider information.
We start the tour at the point where the players leave the players' bus and enter the arena. We go straight down one floor into the catacombs, directly into the warm-up room. There are clear instructions on how the players should prepare themselves mentally and physically. Standing on one leg and reading letters on a Snellen chart (you know the ones from the optician or ophthalmologist). Of course, distractions from other players come from the side. The distractions are part of the exercise to focus and concentrate. Then a short cycling unit to loosen up the muscles, the actual warm-up then takes place on the green.
Now we move on to the heart of the team rooms: the dressing room, which is designed according to feng shui principles. This is where the 05ers spend their time before the game, during the break and after the game. This is where coach Bo Henriksen meets his boys, this is where they get motivated, the rest we can only imagine and remains hidden from us.
Each player has a fixed place, marked with a photo, comfortable and beautifully designed seating areas with a wooden look and plenty of space for all utensils. Integrating newcomers is a high priority, so the seating arrangement is always adapted and mixed accordingly.
Finn reveals the tactics of psychological warfare in soccer: the lucky number 3 according to Feng Shui can be found everywhere here. The bench consists of 3 slats; there are 3 coat hooks, 3 lamps in the direction of the pitch. All of this subconsciously prepares the players positively for the game.
As always, there are "busy hands" in the background who work diligently to ensure that the match days run smoothly.
Walter Notter is the "good soul" in the dressing room. He has been the kit man for over 25 years and fulfills every possible wish of the players. No matter how big the shoe selection should be, whether it's an undershirt or shorts, he provides everything individually for everyone.
The stadium tour begins with a welcome video from Walter and Bo - a funny introduction with a personal touch. Guests are welcome here and should identify with the club.
Of course, the guests take the seats of their favorite players and a souvenir photo is a must.
Thomas Tuchel's footsteps accompany victories
Thomas Tuchel was a pioneer in his time with the introduction of video analysis in the dressing room during half-time. He set an example that has become an integral part of half-time.
The visiting team in the MEWA Arena
The people of Rheinhessen are known to be very hospitable, and of course this also applies to a home game of the 05ers; but the points should of course stay at home. So it is not easy for the guests to move through the stadium corridors without marveling at the huge pictures showing exuberantly celebrating fans and jubilant scenes of victory for the home team. All signs point to victory for Mainz 05, and the opponents should feel that directly.
The visitors' cabin is much more functional, and the lucky number 3 is nowhere to be found. The aim is to make it difficult for the opponent to win in any way possible. To make it clear who is winning here, the logo of the home team is emblazoned in full size on the massage table and the catering is neatly draped on the 05 team's advertising boards. The only way to tell who is the guest here is to look at the parts that are not permanently installed.
We also learn from Finn that Frank Ribéry once had 17 pairs of soccer boots with him and holds the absolute record for choice of footwear, so it can get pretty crowded in the dressing room 😉
Mixed Zone - space for encounters
Now the time has come for everyone involved to meet! The 05 players, the visiting team, the four referees (whose dressing room we are not allowed to visit due to the risk of bribery) and, of course, the excited kids. A moment that the children will certainly not forget for a long time - running onto the pitch side by side with a professional footballer, with all eyes and cameras on them. What child doesn't dream of such a special event?
Not least after the game, the question of all questions is clarified here: What caused it?
Off through the player tunnel
The big moment: all eyes turn to the exit of the players' tunnel.
First and foremost the referees, followed by the 22 athletes who will give their all in the next 90 minutes to claim victory.
We are now also taking this route towards the lawn.
The new perspective on the vastness of the stands, which can accommodate a total of 33,305 fans, is sensational. We learn some background information about the stadium construction, where the family stand, the barrier-free seats, the guest block and the fan block are located (for those who have not yet been to a match).
Accessibility is a top priority at the MEWA Arena. The "Football for All Index 2025" shows that the MEWA Arena of 1. FSV Mainz 05 is the clear leader in points in the 1st Bundesliga. Up to 134 wheelchair users can take part as visitors, and a place is also reserved for a further 60 visually or hearing impaired people.
Incidentally, the Mainz stadium has one of the largest continuously accessible standing terraces in Europe with 11,500 seats.
Sitting on the edge of the pitch in the home team's seats and feeling the excitement - none of the tour participants will miss it. Eyes closed and head cinema on: An exciting game is in full swing and the coach calls for a warm-up ... dream of the young participants who have made themselves comfortable in the huge RECARO seat. - Also a popular photo motif.
We now continue up the entire staircase in the stadium to the VIP area. It will shine in new splendor in the new season. Delicious food and refreshing drinks to suit every taste will make a visit to the stadium a very special experience for VIP ticket holders.
During the stadium tour on the upper floor, we are also allowed to take a look into a private box. It is individually furnished. Here you can celebrate the game "among yourselves" and enjoy the view from a lofty height with the best view.
The day is far from over after the game...
Back to the famous question: What was the problem?
Hungry reporters pounce on the players in the mixed zone to get an exclusive interview, while the press conference takes place next door in the press conference room. Another popular photo opportunity on the tour: having your picture taken here.
The players now return to the dressing room, where a fixed ritual awaits them. A 2-10 minute cold water bath in a rain barrel is compulsory, followed by a hot shower. A round of cycling as regeneration is also part of the compulsory program.
Finn tells us: "They would have liked to have installed a hot/cold water pool in the new stadium, but the lifeguard duty put a spanner in the works; now the standard green rain barrels are doing their loyal duty. As a special "extra", the players have paid out of their own pockets for a spacious whirlpool to compensate.
For us, an entertaining and very informative stadium tour is now coming to an end.
By the way, a fun fact at the end: Did you know that as much wine as beer is consumed in the Mainz stadium? Unique in Germany ... Rheinhessen!
Information on the stadium tour is available on the Website. The tour is highly recommended for all ages and easy book online.
The fan store at the MEWA Arena is open Mon - Fri from 10:00 to 18:30 and Sat from 10:00 to 14:00. There are additional opening hours on match days.
If you want a cozy end to the day, you can stop off at the "Hasekaste" right next door. Delicious dishes are served here daily from 12 noon to 10 pm. (Tuesday day off)
