Jena/Erfurt, 28.03.2026. Ahead of the high-stakes Thüringenderby in the Cup semi-final, FC Carl Zeiss Jena has issued detailed travel instructions for its supporters. Since a large-scale fan march is taking place in Erfurt, the usual pre-match shuttle buses will not be operating. Those who do not wish to join the march should avoid traveling by train.
- Match: FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt vs. FC Carl Zeiss Jena (Thüringen-Pokal, semi-final)
- When: Sunday, 29.03.2026
- Where: Steigerwaldstadion, Erfurt
- Special feature: No shuttle service from the Hauptbahnhof to the stadium before the start of the match.
- Tickets: Sold out, box offices will remain closed (approx. 200 remaining tickets in general sale).
Fan march replaces pre-match shuttle
Around 2,000 fans of FC Carl Zeiss Jena are expected in Erfurt for the Thüringen-Pokal semi-final on Sunday. The biggest organizational change affects those arriving by rail: there will be no shuttle bus from Erfurt Hauptbahnhof to the Steigerwaldstadion before the match. The reason is an officially registered and authorized demonstration march by the Jena fan base. This leads directly from the station to the away section.
For supporters wishing to join this fan march, the club recommends traveling by train on Sunday morning from the station Jena-West. After the final whistle, the regular shuttle service from the stadium to Erfurt Hauptbahnhof will be available for a safe return journey.
Club advises against rail travel for individuals
FCC has a clear message for all fans who do not wish to be part of the collective demonstration march: these individuals are “strongly advised” against using the train to travel to Erfurt. Instead, individual travel by car or the formation of carpools is recommended.
Those arriving by car should take the motorway exit Erfurt-Ost and follow the signs through the city area. As parking capacity for visiting fans is very limited, the club explicitly points to the parking garage in Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Straße. In general, it is advised to allow sufficient time for the journey and admission checks. Traveling without a valid ticket is futile, as the local box offices will remain closed.
Background: The Thüringenderby
The encounter between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt is the most traditional and high-stakes football duel in Thüringen. The rivalry between the two clubs has shaped the sporting landscape of the Free State for decades. Due to the immense emotionality, these matches are always classified as high-risk games by the security authorities. A strict spatial and temporal separation of the two fan groups – starting with the journey by rail and road through to stadium entry – is the central element of the police operational concepts. The station Jena-West serves as the most important bottleneck for Jena rail travelers, as the direct connections of the Mitte-Deutschland-Linie to the state capital run from here.
Source:
Carl Zeiss Jena “strongly advises against”! FCC with clear message to fans ahead of Thüringenderby
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.