The ball hits the back of the net. The Allianz Arena explodes into a sea of red and white. Before the roar even subsides, a jaunty, high-energy orchestral tune kicks in. It’s the kind of music you’d expect at a 19th-century Parisian cabaret, not a modern football cathedral. But for anyone following the Bundesliga, that specific FC Bayern goal song is the sound of pure, unadulterated dominance.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a psychological weapon. Imagine you’re a defender for a visiting team. You’ve just spent eighty minutes chasing shadows, and then—bam—Harry Kane or Jamal Musiala slots one home. Suddenly, you’re forced to listen to Jacques Offenbach’s "Galop Infernal" (more commonly known as the Can-Can) while 75,000 people bounce in unison. It is upbeat. It is frantic. To the opposition, it is deeply, deeply annoying.
Why Does FC Bayern Play the Can-Can?
You might think a club as massive as Bayern Munich would go for something "cool" or modern. Maybe some heavy techno or a gritty rock anthem? They actually tried that. For years, the stadium speakers blasted "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes. It’s the safe choice. Every stadium from Madrid to Michigan uses that riff. It’s basically the default setting for sports worldwide.
But in 2019, things changed. The fans wanted something that felt more like "home."
The club sat down with the Schickeria and other major fan groups in the Südkurve to discuss the stadium atmosphere. The result was a return to tradition. The Can-Can wasn't new; it was a throwback to the days at the old Olympiastadion. Bringing it back was a way to reclaim the club’s identity. It’s unapologetically Bavarian in its quirkiness—a "Schmankerl" (a delicacy) for the locals that reminds everyone else exactly where they are.
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The Anatomy of the Goal Celebration
The music isn't the only part of the ritual. If you’ve never been to the Allianz Arena, the sequence is pretty rigid.
- The Goal: Pure chaos.
- The "Yabba Dabba Doo": A quick blast of Fred Flintstone’s famous catchphrase usually precedes the music.
- The Can-Can: The main melody of the FC Bayern goal song takes over.
- The Call and Response: Stadium announcer Thomas Müller (the legendary voice, not the player) shouts the goalscorer’s name. The fans scream the surname back.
- The Mockery: Müller asks for the score. He announces Bayern's tally, then always credits the opposition with "Null" (zero), regardless of what the actual scoreboard says.
- The "Danke/Bitte": Müller says "Danke" (Thank you), and the crowd bellows "Bitte" (You’re welcome).
It’s a choreographed piece of theatre.
The Love-Hate Relationship with Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach, the composer behind the "Galop Infernal," was actually born in Cologne, but he became the king of the French operetta. His music is satirical and fast. By using his most famous work, Bayern leans into a certain "arrogance" that the rest of Germany loves to hate.
Some fans find it "cringe." Go on any Reddit thread or Bayern forum, and you’ll see the divide. Younger fans who grew up with the heavy bass of modern stadium anthems sometimes find the circus-like vibe of the Can-Can a bit embarrassing. They want something that sounds like a battle cry.
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But the old guard? They love it. To them, the Can-Can represents the "Mia San Mia" (We are who we are) attitude. It says: "We’re winning, we’re having a party, and we don't care if you think our music is silly." There’s a certain power in being so good that you can celebrate your goals with a 150-year-old dance tune and still be the most feared team in the country.
Beyond the Goal: Other Bayern Anthems
While the FC Bayern goal song gets the most airtime during a blowout win, the stadium’s musical DNA is built on "Stern des Südens" (Star of the South).
Written by Willy Astor, this is the true anthem. It’s what the fans sing at the top of their lungs before kickoff. If the Can-Can is the party music, "Stern des Südens" is the hymn. You’ll also hear "Mia san die Bayern" and occasionally "Forever Number One," though the latter has fallen out of favor compared to the more traditional German tracks.
The club also celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025, which has seen a resurgence in playing "Mia san Mia" themed tracks produced by local artists and fan groups. The goal is always the same: keep the atmosphere distinct from the "commercial" feel of the Premier League or other global brands.
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Comparing the Vibes
| Element | Song Title | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| The Goal Tune | Can-Can (Galop Infernal) | Chaotic, taunting, traditional |
| Pre-Match Anthem | Stern des Südens | Emotional, unifying, epic |
| The Classic | Mia san die Bayern | Pure Bavarian folk-rock |
How to Experience the Allianz Atmosphere
If you want to hear the FC Bayern goal song in its natural habitat, you’ve got to get to Fröttmaning. But don't just show up at kickoff. To really feel it, you need to be in the stands at least 20 minutes early when the scarves go up for the pre-match songs.
When a goal goes in, don't just stand there. Follow the lead of the Südkurve. The clapping rhythm during the Can-Can is infectious. It’s a double-time beat that follows the melody. If you're in the middle of the crowd, you'll likely find yourself being bounced around by several thousand happy Germans. It’s part of the charm.
Next time you’re watching a match on TV and you hear those frantic violins start up, remember it’s not just a random song choice. It’s a deliberate nod to the club’s history and a cheeky middle finger to anyone who isn't wearing the red of Munich.
To truly understand the culture, look up the lyrics to "Stern des Südens" and learn the call-and-response routine for the goalscorer. Knowing when to shout "Null" is the difference between being a tourist and being part of the 12th man.