"Concrete" evidence of a terror attack led to the Germany versus Holland football friendly being cancelled, police have said.
The stadium in Hannover was evacuated and local media reported a widely-circulated claim that an ambulance had been found with explosives in front of the 49,000-capacity HDI Arena.
But officials later said no explosives were found.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière told reporters the terror threat was high but did not elaborate on the nature of the threat to the game.
Story continues beneath slideshow
Germany v Netherlands
Germany Netherlands Soccer(01 of37)
Rescue workers stand outside the stadium as the soccer friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
FBL-EURO-2016-FRIENDLY-GER-NED(02 of37)
Police officers control a man outside the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. The football match was meant as a 'symbol of freedom' after the Paris attacks and was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
Germany vs Netherlands match called off(03 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: German Police stand outside the HDI-Arena in Hanover, Germany, on November 17, 2015. The match was called off at short notice due to security concerns and the stadium was evacuated. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-FRIENDLY-GER-NED(04 of37)
Police officers on horses survey outside the HDI Arena as supporters leave after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. The football match was meant as a 'symbol of freedom' after the Paris attacks and was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-FRIENDLY-GER-NED(05 of37)
Police survey the entrance of the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. The football match was meant as a 'symbol of freedom' after the Paris attacks and was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-FRIENDLY-GER-NED(06 of37)
Police survey the entrance of the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. The football match was meant as a 'symbol of freedom' after the Paris attacks and was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-GER-NED-CORRECTION(07 of37)
CORRECTING CITYPolice checks cars as supporters leave the stadium after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hannover on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-FRIENDLY-GER-NED(08 of37)
Police officers and rescuers stand at the entrance of the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hannover on November 17, 2015. The football match was meant as a 'symbol of freedom' after the Paris attacks and was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-FRIENDLY-GER-NED(09 of37)
Police survey the entrance of the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hannover on November 17, 2015. The football match was meant as a 'symbol of freedom' after the Paris attacks and was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(10 of37)
A police officer walks near the HDI-Arena stadium where Germany will play a soccer friendly match against the Netherlands in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(11 of37)
Police officers stand outside the HDI-Arena stadium as the soccer friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(12 of37)
Rescue workers stand outside the stadium as the soccer friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(13 of37)
Rescue workers stand outside the stadium as the soccer friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(14 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff leave the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(15 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff wait near an ambulance after leaving the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(16 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Fans lights candlesin rememberance of the dead killed by terorists in France, prior to the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(17 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff wait near an ambulance after leaving the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(18 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: A view of the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(19 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Fans leave the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(20 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff leave the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(21 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff leave the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(22 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff leave the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-GER-NED(23 of37)
Police enters the Interior ministry of Lower Saxony after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(24 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Emergancy service staff leave the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-GER-NED(25 of37)
Police secures the area around the stadium after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-GER-NED(26 of37)
Police secures the area around the stadium after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(27 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Armed Police by the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-GER-NED(28 of37)
Police secures the area around the stadium after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Germany v Netherlands - International Friendly(29 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Armed Police by the stadium after the cancellation of the International friendly match between Germany and The Netherlands at the AWD Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
FBL-EURO-2016-GER-NED(30 of37)
Police secures the area as supporters leave the stadium after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hanover on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Security Tightened In Hanover Before Germany v Netherlands Match(31 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Special forces secure the HDI-Arena after a bomb alert prior the match Germany against the Netherlands at the HDI-Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. The Match was cancelled, after unoffical sources said there is a bomb inside a car at the parking place at the front gate. Special Forces from other Cities are expected to arrive shortly at the scene. The German Federal Police raised the number of heavy equipped Police officers inside the main train station of Hanover, the airport of Hanover as well as at the HDI-Arena in order to increase the safety, after the attacks in Paris last week. German chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and members of the German Federal cabinet are expected to be among the guests at the match. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images) (credit:Alexander Koerner via Getty Images)
Security Tightened In Hanover Before Germany v Netherlands Match(32 of37)
HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Special forces secure the HDI-Arena after a bomb alert prior the match Germany against the Netherlands at the HDI-Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany. The Match was cancelled, after unoffical sources said there is a bomb inside a car at the parking place at the front gate. Special Forces from other Cities are expected to arrive shortly at the scene. The German Federal Police raised the number of heavy equipped Police officers inside the main train station of Hanover, the airport of Hanover as well as at the HDI-Arena in order to increase the safety, after the attacks in Paris last week. German chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and members of the German Federal cabinet are expected to be among the guests at the match. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images) (credit:Alexander Koerner via Getty Images)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(33 of37)
German flags are carried out of the stadium as the soccer friendly between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(34 of37)
Spectators leave the HDI-Arena stadiums as the soccer friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(35 of37)
German soccer fans stand outside the stadium as the soccer friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(36 of37)
A police officer walks near the HDI-Arena stadium where Germany will play a soccer friendly match against the Netherlands in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Germany Netherlands Soccer(37 of37)
German police officers search between the seats of the stadium prior to an international friendly soccer match between Germany and the Netherlands in Hannover, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. Following the attacks in Paris, security measures have been increased for the match. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
"I can not comment on the source of the information that led to the cancelation of the match tonight," he said at a press conference.
"Please understand that i won't give an answer on why we canceled the game. This answer could bring fear to the people, also the source could be revealed and the work for the police would be made more complicated in the future."
Volker Kluwe, president of Hannover Police, told the BBC "there were plans for some kind of explosion".
He added police had "concrete" evidence and warned that people should return home as quickly as possible.
The stadium was evacuated just before the England v France friendly kicked off at Wembley - France's first match since Friday's terrorist shooting and bombings attacks on Paris, including one on the stadium where the team was playing.
A German police statement said: "The game has been cancelled. Please go straight home but stay calm".
Bild reported that the warning of a terror threat in Hannover came from the French security services.
Chancellor Angela Merkel was scheduled to attend the event but had not made it to the stadium.
The evacuation began less than two hours before kick-off. Police anti-terror units are on their way to the stadium now.
Police officers (above) and rescue workers (below) outside the stadium
Ms Merkel had arrived in Hannover by the time of the evacuation but was not at the stadium. She was reportedly alerted at Hannover airport and returned to Berlin.
Mr de Maizière added there had been no arrests and said the police operation would continue into tomorrow morning.