Bayern Munich Reveal Plans to Increase Allianz Arena Stadium Capacity

Bayern Munich are planning to increase the capacity of the Allianz Arena in order to make it eligible to host games at Euro 2020.

Muenchener Merkur (h/t Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC) quotes Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge telling a fan club meeting that plans are in place to increase the capacity from 71,137 to 75,000.

For international matches and UEFA competitions, the capacity is reduced to 67,812, as standing is not permitted, but the increase would take the stadium beyond 70,000 as a requirement for participation in the tournament.

It is also reported that Bayern could introduce a further 2,000 standing seats as part of the renovation process.

As reported by Reuters via Yahoo! Sports, Munich is Germany's candidate city for Euro 2020, which will take place across Europe. The city will bid for Category A and B matches in the tournament.

Category A would see the stadium host three group matches and one game from the last 16, while Category B would give the Allianz Arena both semifinals and the final.

The Allianz Arena, which was opened in 2005 ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, has since undergone two increases in capacity:

The expansion would see the Allianz Arena become the second biggest stadium in Germany, behind Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, which has a capacity of 80,645. The Olympiastadion in Berlin is currently ahead of the Allianz Arena with a capacity of 74,064, per their official site.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

The move would be another significant step to put Bayern further ahead of their rivals domestically and globally.

After winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal last season, the club are mounting a strong challenge to retain both trophies this term, as well as the Champions League.

But they are not satisfied with success on the pitch, and positive moves such as the stadium expansion will help the club cement their status on a global scale as one of the game's giants.