Insult hurled viciously: "You're a worthless, contemptible individual!"
**"Whoa, what a ripoff!" some grumbled, others just sighed, shaking their heads in disbelief. The issue at hand? After the Nations League semi-final match between Germany and Portugal on Wednesday night, folks were expected to pay an outrageous sum to exit the Allianz Arena parking garage – a whopping 40 euros!
No retreat, no relief - everyone was bunker-bound, forced to pay up. Funny enough, several journalists, who hadn't been issued parking tickets by UEFA, were also caught in this pocket-draining squeeze. Many, including from AZ, had opted for their own set of wheels due to the chilling weather warning.
The Lowdown: Munich City Guide
Enter the gritty details of Munich's hustle and bustle.
So, why such exorbitant prices? UEFA exonerates themselves, arguing they have no control over the parking garage - not their domain, you see. The garage, after all, belongs to the Allianz Arena, which unfortunately remains silent on the subject.
Sky-High Parking Costs at Allianz Arena: A Silent City
Much like the Allianz Arena, neither Munich's Third Mayor Verena Dietl (SPD), in charge of sports and social affairs, nor the CSU, Munich's self-proclaimed champions of car-lovers, were open to comment. The city has no jurisdiction over the prices, they claim.
Stefan Jagel, the leader of Munich's Left Party, wasn't so hesitant. "Well, at least the city owns the land," he quipped. The city handed over the stadium's land on a perpetual lease, and the owner of the arena is none other than FC Bayern. But Jagel ponders if the city could potentially meddle with the parking fees. The answer? Unclear.
"A bit pricey," Lagel expressed, regarding the parking fees. Ulrike Feicht, president of the Munich Automobile Club (Munich's oldest in the ADAC), echoes his sentiment. With families and out-of-town fans opting for vehicles over public transportation, the hefty parking costs can be quite a challenge.
Wise drivers who'd done their homework before the Wednesday game could dodge the bill. Those who'd registered on the arena's website a day prior were only slapped with a more affordable hit – 24 euros.
- Despite the high parking costs at the Allianz Arena, which have become a hot topic, neither Munich's Third Mayor Verena Dietl, nor the CSU, Munich's self-proclaimed champions of car-lovers, have made any comments.
- Stefan Jagel, leader of Munich's Left Party, suggests that the city could potentially intervene with the parking fees, as they own the land on which the stadium is built, although it is owned by FC Bayern.