He spent the entirety of his professional playing career at Bayern Munich, winning the West German Championship four times and the European Cup three times in succession. Between 1966 and 1977 he played in an uninterrupted sequence of over 400 matches.

Maier was selected in four World Cupss for West Germany, beginning in 1966 where he was a non-playing deputy to Hans Tilkowski. His greatest triumph came in 1974 when he helped his national side to victory in the World Cup final in his home city of Munich.

As well as his goalkeeping exploits, Maier was famous for his overlong shorts and outsize gloves, and, despite his undoubted talent, was seen in some circles as somewhat of a clown.