Thursday, 05. June 2025 |
SAP Garden: Behind the scenes at the home of EHC Red Bull Munich
Just a few meters behind our Red Bulls' locker room, the paths diverge. While the ice rink glistens on one side, a corridor leads to a less visible world on the other. There, hidden behind numerous logistical aids and equipment carts, is an inconspicuous white door marked “POLICE.” Behind it lies a place that all spectators at SAP Garden would be wise to avoid.
While professionals are sent to the penalty box or have to leave the playing area for fouls or rule violations on the main playing field, spectators also face consequences if they do not follow the rules. Behind the door, troublemakers are met by a police station set up specifically for the SAP Garden, with prison cells, interrogation rooms, and computers for quick and efficient processing of incidents.
Rule breakers will be sent to a prison cell in the SAP Garden
In extreme cases, this means detention in one of the stadium's own cells for rule breakers. These cells are bare, with plain tiles and minimal metal furniture. Solid metal bars block any means of escape.
Since opening in September 2024, the police have had to intervene several times at SAP Garden, although such incidents remain fortunately rare in ice hockey and other events. The offenses mainly include insults, damage to property, and occasional minor bodily harm. According to police information, stays are usually not long because the perpetrators are quickly transferred to the nearby police station on Ettstraße for further processing after their personal details have been taken. However, depending on the situation and the offense, the stay in the cells can also last several hours.
To ensure the safety of guests and to deal with such situations quickly, the police also have a strategic operations center high up on the second level of the SAP Garden, close to the fan curve of our Red Bulls. This command center comprises several workstations with state-of-the-art computer and video technology, giving officers access to over 130 cameras throughout the arena. This allows potential problems to be identified early on and responded to immediately. Together with the approximately 160 employees of Securitas, Germany's largest private security service provider, the police ensure a safe and enjoyable event experience.
The SAP Garden, together with the Munich police, relies on proven concepts from large sports venues and the Oktoberfest, where such facilities are also used successfully. At the SAP Garden, the ice hockey atmosphere and the fan experience are always at the forefront – but if necessary, order can be restored quickly. Or to put it another way: a little bit of hell so that heaven remains the most important thing at the SAP Garden, the palace of dreams.
Mit Galerie
Only a few standing room season tickets left – Category 1 sold out// NEWS
Your ideas are needed: Design our new fanshirt!// FANS
“Success is at the top of my list”// INTERVIEW