Sportarena Olympiapark Munich SAP Garden by 3XN

The completion of SAP Garden marks a defining architectural addition to Munich’s historic Olympic Park, bringing together cutting-edge arena design, community-focused programming, and a sensitive approach to a protected landscape. Designed by 3XN in collaboration with CL MAP and Latz + Partner, the 62,500 m² venue officially opened on 27 September 2024, establishing itself as a new home for major sporting events while remaining deeply connected to the democratic ideals that shaped the surrounding 1972 Olympic masterplan.

Designing with Respect for an Iconic Landscape

Introducing a contemporary arena into Behnisch & Partner’s celebrated park demanded a strategy rooted in restraint, integration, and topographical intelligence. Instead of dominating the site, the architects positioned SAP Garden as an extension of the landscape itself.
To achieve this, three auxiliary ice rinks were hidden beneath an artificially sculpted hill, allowing the surrounding green terrain to flow uninterrupted across the site. Above ground, the main arena takes on an oval, asymmetrical form that complements its environment rather than imposing upon it. The green roof further dissolves the building into the rolling terrain, creating a visual continuity that maintains the spirit of the original Olympic design.

The façade reinforces this organic presence through 260 individually shaped pilaster strips—some reaching over 18 meters in height—that rise and curve upwards to frame the transparent entrances. Each pilaster responds to the building’s geometry, giving the arena a rhythmic expression that feels both dynamic and inviting. The result is a structure that naturally blends into its cultural context while offering a bold, contemporary identity.

A Multifunctional Arena Designed for Community Life

SAP Garden is not only a venue for professional teams such as EHC Red Bull Munich and FC Bayern Munich Basketball; it is a year-round public destination. The main bowl holds 10,700 spectators for ice hockey and 11,500 for basketball, supported by three levels of VIP suites, lounges, merchandise shops, a gaming room, conference facilities, and a large restaurant.

Crucially, the three additional ice rinks serve schools, community leagues, and amateur teams, strengthening the region’s grassroots sports culture. When no major events are scheduled, the arena remains active through public skating, training sessions, and recreational programs. This openness transforms SAP Garden into a civic anchor—a place where everyday activities coexist with elite sport.

Elevating the experience further, a public rooftop terrace offers expansive views of the surrounding park and cityscape, introducing a new gathering space for visitors independent of arena events.

Crafting Intensity and Atmosphere for Spectators

Inside the bowl, 3XN focused on creating a high-energy, immersive experience. The architectural form balances clarity with drama: circulation routes are intuitive, while the bowl itself is shaped to cultivate a sense of intensity. As Senior Partner Jan Ammundsen notes, the architecture aims to support the emotional and collective nature of live sport—allowing the building to “fade into the background” so the game becomes the center of attention.

A central innovation is the flexible stand system, designed to shift between ice hockey and basketball configurations. Stands can adjust their height and slope, while mobile seating platforms are added for basketball to create the court’s ideal proportions. This adaptability ensures every event benefits from optimal visibility and crowd engagement.

The interior design integrates digital media, programmable lighting, and variable atmospheres, creating spaces that can shift tone depending on the team, event, or brand. Although each zone has its own character, subtle recurring design elements maintain unity across the venue.

A New Standard for the Future of Sports Architecture

With SAP Garden, 3XN delivers an arena that is as focused on community value as it is on elite performance. By preserving the character of Olympic Park, enhancing local sports infrastructure, and offering flexible facilities that adapt to changing needs, the project establishes a model for contemporary urban arenas—one where architecture supports both emotional spectacle and everyday civic engagement.

As Munich continues to evolve its cultural and recreational landscape, SAP Garden stands as a forward-looking landmark, balancing innovation, context, and human experience within one cohesive, landscape-integrated design.

Photography: Angelo Kaunat, Franco Casaccia