Austria
Graz
Away-day guide
Graz is a compact, walkable away trip with a good-value student-bar scene and a direct tram from the old town to Merkur Arena. Base yourselves around Hauptplatz or Lend, then follow the visiting club's matchday instructions rather than approaching through Sturm's home-fan forecourt.
🚺 To Merkur Arena
From Hauptplatz, Jakominiplatz or Graz Hauptbahnhof, take tram 4 towards Liebenau/Murpark and get off at Stadion Liebenau. From the central stops the journey is roughly 10 to 15 minutes, followed by a short walk to the entrance shown on the ticket.
- Nearest stop
- Stadion Liebenau
- Lines
- Tram 4; nearby local bus services also serve the Liebenau district
- Walk from centre
- 40 min
- Parking
- Do not rely on the stadium underground garage on matchday; spaces and surrounding roads can be reserved or restricted. Murpark has a park-and-ride facility one tram stop beyond the stadium, but check event-day access and parking conditions. Public transport is much easier for away supporters.
Public transport
Graz is compact enough to walk around the centre, but trams are the easiest option for the station and Merkur Arena. Zone 101 covers the urban network: the standard €3.30 ticket is valid for one hour and allows changes, while a 24-hour ticket becomes better value from the third ride. Validate paper tickets immediately unless they are already time-stamped; mobile tickets are available through GrazMobil and BusBahnBim. ÖBB tickets cover S-Bahn journeys, but check that the chosen ticket includes the relevant local zone. Nightline buses run on weekend nights and nights before public holidays, with a limited timetable; do not assume there is a night bus every night.
Typical prices
- Beer (0.5L)
- EUR 5.2
- Coffee
- EUR 3.8
- Meal, mid-range
- EUR 32.5
- Taxi from airport
- EUR 35
- Single transit ticket
- EUR 3.3
✈ Airports & cheaper alternatives
- Graz Airport GRZ primary 10 km Walk about five minutes to Flughafen Graz-Feldkirchen station and take S-Bahn line S5 to Graz Hauptbahnhof (about 12 minutes). Bus 630 also serves the airport but only runs as far as Puntigam/Zentralfriedhof, so you must change there to reach the centre — it does not run directly to Jakominiplatz. Allow roughly 20 to 30 minutes by public transport. The obvious choice for a short trip, although direct flights can be dearer than Vienna.
- Vienna International Airport VIE alternative 200 km Use a direct Railjet to Graz where available; otherwise take a train to Wien Hauptbahnhof and change for Graz Hauptbahnhof. Book advance ÖBB tickets for the lowest fares. Often much cheaper and has far more flights, but the transfer takes around three hours and can wipe out the saving on a very short trip.
🍺 Supporters' pubs
SK Sturm Graz
Home fans: The main home gathering is the Stadionvorplatz fan zone outside Merkur Arena, with drinks and food stands. SportsBar – Das Eggenberg beside the stadium is firmly Sturm-oriented and requires both a booking and a valid match ticket. Café Jeden Tag on Schönaugürtel is known locally as a Sturmlokal, but it is more of a neighbourhood regulars' bar than a large fan meeting point.
Away fans: Hauptplatz and the surrounding Altstadt are the usual designated visiting-supporter area. Flann O'Brien on Paradeisgasse, roughly 200 metres from Hauptplatz, has hosted sizeable away groups. Steirerpub at Stadtpark has also been recommended to visiting Scottish supporters. Avoid lingering in colours on the Stadionvorplatz, beside the home curve or around the stadium underground garage. There is no reliable indication that the central away pubs normally check match tickets or colours.
Sturm are Graz's only senior men's club in a 2026/27 UEFA competition and are in Champions League qualifying. The area around the home curve is strongly black-and-white territory, so away fans are better drinking centrally and travelling to the correct away entrance shortly before kick-off.
Sourced from supporters' forums — always follow your club's and police advice for the fixture.
Nightlife
The Altstadt has the densest run of pubs, especially around Hauptplatz, Mehlplatz, Glockenspielplatz and Färberplatz; it is convenient but usually the dearest area. The university quarter around Zinzendorfgasse and Heinrichstrasse is cheaper and livelier during term time. Lendplatz, Mariahilferstrasse and Südtiroler Platz offer more relaxed bars, beer gardens and late food just across the Mur from the old town. Groups wanting straightforward Irish-pub territory can stay close to Hauptplatz and Paradeisgasse.
Food & drink
Try Styrian fried chicken, Backhendl, and Käferbohnensalat made with local runner beans, onions and dark pumpkin-seed oil. Brettljause is a cold board of cured meat, cheese, spreads and bread that works well for a group, while schnitzel remains the safe filling option. Puntigamer is the most obviously local mainstream beer; Styrian wine and Schilcher are alternatives if you are staying beyond one session.
Cheap eats & beer
For inexpensive pizzas, pasta and burgers, try Graz's student-focused Bausatzlokale, including Sägewerk near Jakominiplatz and Continuum on Sporgasse; a filling meal is commonly around 10 to 15. Area 5 above Jakominiplatz is useful for lunch, while the sausage stands around Hauptplatz and Dietrichsteinplatz work for a quick late bite. For cheaper beer, head towards the university quarter around Zinzendorfgasse and Heinrichstrasse; Bierbaron is a long-running student option. Brot & Spiele in the Lend district is handy for beer, food and pool without paying Altstadt cocktail-bar prices. Near the stadium, the Murpark shopping centre is the practical budget stop for its food court and supermarket; the stadium forecourt is more convenient but normally dearer. Visiting supporters generally use Hauptplatz and the surrounding Altstadt bars, particularly Flann O'Brien, rather than drinking beside the home curve.
Staying safe
Graz is generally straightforward, but use the normal precautions around Hauptbahnhof, Jakominiplatz and late-night tram stops: keep phones and wallets secure and do not leave bags unattended in bars. The main football issue is separation rather than general street crime. Do not wander around the home curve, stadium forecourt or garage in away colours, and avoid arguments with groups travelling to the home end. Use the away sector even if neutral tickets appear available, as rules on visiting-team clothing can be enforced inconsistently. Police checks and temporary barriers can slow the trip back, so leave time for a held exit after the match.
On matchday
Away supporters should use the sector and entrance printed on their ticket rather than entering neutral or home areas in club colours. Hauptplatz and nearby Altstadt bars are the established visiting-fan meeting area; arrangements for onward travel can include police-managed groups or altered tram access, so follow the visiting club's SLO instructions. Expect an initial ticket check, turnstile scan and search at the stadium. Police can close an approach road near the ground for home-supporter use, and access around the forecourt and underground garage may be restricted. Keep away colours covered around the Stadionvorplatz and home curve. Arrangements often change for higher-risk European ties, so check both clubs' updates shortly before travelling.