BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The start of the year is set to be an uncomfortable one in Bundesliga stadiums, with travel chaos looming and, in some places, Storm Elli could even lead to match cancellations. The DFL is on high alert. "We are monitoring the weather situation and are in contact with all relevant parties," a spokesperson for the German Football League (DFL) told the German Press Agency upon request.
On Friday and Saturday, severe winter weather with storms, snow, and freezing rain is expected, particularly in the north and in Berlin. As of Thursday afternoon, the DFL still expected all Bundesliga matches to go ahead over the weekend. However, officials are also preparing for possible cancellations.
Home Match Against Leipzig? Pauli Won't Make Any Guarantees
"Given the weather situation, we cannot guarantee that the match can take place under the current circumstances," FC St. Pauli wrote in a statement on its website. While the club is "doing everything possible" to ensure Saturday's home game against RB Leipzig (3:30 p.m./Sky) can be played, "the club must wait to see how the weather develops and whether there will be further heavy snowfall."
The situation is similar in Bremen, where Werder is scheduled to host TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon. The home club has hired 50 additional staff to ensure that the areas around the Weserstadion are cleared of snow and, if necessary, can be cleared even during the match. This is to guarantee safe arrival and departure for spectators.
Union Fans Shovel Snow
However, Werder has urged fans to use public transport if possible. They still expect the match to go ahead, said Bremen's media director Christoph Pieper: "I wouldn't want to speculate what happens if two meters of snow fall."
In Bremen and Hamburg, schools will remain closed on Friday due to the storm. The German Weather Service has issued an official severe weather warning because of the predicted snowfall and stormy conditions, with gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour.
At Union Berlin, fans pitched in to help ensure Saturday's home match against FSV Mainz 05 – and a reunion with former coach Urs Fischer – could go ahead as planned. After a fan club appeal, some supporters cleared the paths and entry gates of ice and snow.
Stadium staff used several excavators to help with snow removal. "As a precaution, feel free to bring your own snow shovel from home," read the appeal, according to "Bild."
Eintracht Sees No Issues for Match Against BVB
The first match of the 16th round will take place on Friday evening (8:30 p.m./Sky) in Frankfurt between Eintracht and Borussia Dortmund. "According to the relevant authorities, there is currently no reason to believe that the match on Friday cannot go ahead as planned," Eintracht announced. "Nevertheless, through the stadium operator, we have deployed additional staff as a precaution to clear snow, carry out gritting measures, and ensure safety on the stadium grounds."
VfB Stuttgart made a last-minute change to its travel plans due to the uncertainty. "We have decided to fly a day earlier to avoid any problems due to the weather," said coach Sebastian Hoeneß ahead of Saturday's match at Bayer Leverkusen (6:30 p.m./Sky).
Difficult Journeys for Fans
Match cancellations in the top division due to unplayable pitches have become rare thanks to mandatory under-soil heating. In such cases, the referee team on site must make the final decision. The main issue is travel for fans, who can expect icy roads and snow in the coming days. In addition, Deutsche Bahn has already announced delays and cancellations in long-distance rail services due to the weather.
Furthermore, stadium operators can close venues if there are safety concerns, for example, if snow avalanches could fall from the roof. For this reason, and due to safety risks and the traffic situation, the match between FC Bayern Munich and Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena was canceled in December 2023. In January 2024, Union Berlin's match in Mainz was also called off./jso/DP/nas
