His voice is synonymous with FC Bayern and the Allianz Arena: Stephan Lehmann is the stadium announcer for the record-holding champions and has called more than 1,000 games live. Now he talks about his farewell.
It all began in 1996, back then, of course, at the venerable Olympic Stadium. That’s when he made his debut behind the microphone during a midweek match against VfL Bochum.
In an interview with the Abendzeitung München, Lehmann now explained that he was very nervous during his first appearance. “Markus Hörwick, who was the FC Bayern press officer at the time, went with me to the South Stand and introduced me. That was very kind of him—it really helped me. The fans in the South Stand applauded and chanted my name,” Lehmann said of his first game behind the microphone.
A Dream Farewell at the 2028 Champions League Final
Since then, however, the “new guy” behind the microphone has more than just established himself. Many Bayern fans know him as the only voice in the stadium. He has hosted season openers and championship celebrations, including those at Marienplatz.
Lehmann himself was part of a Bayern fan club and, before his time as stadium announcer, was also a regular in the stands. According to him, this helped him gain a certain level of acceptance because, to the fans, he was “one of them.”
Lehmann has experienced a lot during his time with FC Bayern. Many positive moments, but also difficult ones, such as the death of Franz Beckenbauer. The memorial service, which Lehmann also presided over, was one of the most emotional moments for him.
The stadium announcer is already thinking about his farewell. And he has a clear plan in mind. “I’m 64 now, and I’m not getting any younger. The ideal time for my last game would be the 2028 Champions League Final, which has now been awarded to the Allianz Arena. And then, unlike in that terrible 2012 final at home against Chelsea, we’ll win. That would be perfect,” said Lehmann.
