Leipzig is the jewel of Saxony, a city of fairs, festivals, and beautiful architecture, located in the namesake lowland where three rivers merge: the White Elster, the Pleiße, and the Parthe. Its population is about 600,000 people, many of whom are immigrants. The city consists almost entirely of historical buildings, earning it the status of the architectural capital of Germany. Here, Gothic and Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau blend in an astonishing architectural diversity and richness. Great composers Bach and Mendelssohn created their masterpieces in Leipzig. The city is home to one of Germany’s oldest universities, where the great Goethe studied, and where traditional fairs and contemporary art festivals are held.
The "Red Bull Arena" is within walking distance from the city center. It was built for the 2006 World Cup and is the largest football stadium not only in Saxony but in all of East Germany. This stadium, opened in 2004, will host four matches of the upcoming European Championship: Croatia vs. Italy, Netherlands vs. France, Portugal vs. Czech Republic, and a round of 16 match where the winner of Group D will face the runner-up of Group F.
Sometimes, Leipzig is called the birthplace of German football, thanks to VfB Leipzig, founded in 1893, which became the first champion of Germany. Today, the city is represented in professional football by RB Leipzig. In the eyes of the fan community, this Bundesliga club embodies everything wrong with hyper-commercialized modern football, making it an outcast. It's a different story with "Lokomotive" (the successor of VfB Leipzig) and "Chemie", which playing in the Regionalliga (D4). These clubs have a rich history and traditions.
The derby between "Lokomotive" and "Chemie" has attracted intense interest from fans, the press, and the police since GDR times due to the fierce rivalry between the teams' supporters. Both fan bases are known for their creativity, particularly through their matchday fanzines – Orange Times by the Diablos group and Der Bahnwärter by Blue Side Lok, with the former surpassing 350 issues.
Leipzig blends historical charm and modern culture with stunning architecture, rich musical heritage, and an eye-catching football scene. Unlike other German cities, it offers an eclectic mix of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles. Its energetic atmosphere, enhanced by traditional fairs and contemporary art festivals, makes it a standout destination.
