As the latest German soccer league championships get underway, OSRAM and the German recordholding football club FC Bayern München are embarking on an extensive lighting partnership which promises to be of mutual benefit to both players – on and off the pitch: OSRAM is to equip all sections of the planned FC Bayern theme world with the latest lighting technology. In the course of the current season, OSRAM will be creating unique, emotive lighting effects in all sections of the theme world, fitting cutting-edge LED technology in successive stages up to May 2012. To this end, a range of different LED components, intelligent light control systems and OLED lamps are to be installed throughout the theme world.

The floodlight system of the Allianz Arena is to be converted to OSRAM products by as early as mid- July. A total of 224 metal-halide lamps, each with an output of 2,000 Watt, will add a very special luster to what is currently one of the most attractive soccer stadiums in the world. With a light output equal to that of 16,000 car headlamps, the new OSRAM lamps will throw 10 percent more light onto the pitch, thus saving energy in comparison with the previous illumination and at the same time perfectly meeting the requirements for TV transmission in HD quality, but without dazzling the spectators or the players in the stadium.

One of the most spectacular features of the Allianz Arena – the outer membrane, which bathes the stadium in vibrant red light during home matches of FC Bayern München – has been illuminated with lamps and EVGs from OSRAM and special luminaires from the OSRAM subsidiary Siteco since as early as 2005.

Martin Goetzeler, Member of the Managing Board of the OSRAM AG, said: "The partnership between FC Bayern München and OSRAM marks the alliance of two Munich brands which stand for performance, success, quality and emotions worldwide. With our products, we will be directly contributing to the enhancement of the soccer experience in the Allianz Arena. This project at what is now one of Europe's best-known structures testifies to our competence in the lighting domain."

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of FC Bayern München AG, said: "It gives FC Bayern very great pleasure to have gained a new, strong partner in OSRAM. Thanks to its innovative lighting solutions and our skill on the pitch, we can now make the Allianz Arena shine in more ways than one and the new theme world will create a very special highlight in Munich."