Borussia Dortmund to Reward Fans for Phone-Free Match Experience

Borussia Dortmund, the German football giant, is introducing an innovative initiative to reward supporters who refrain from using their phones during matches. This move comes as the club aims to enhance the in-stadium atmosphere, citing growing fan dissatisfaction with excessive phone usage for selfies, streaming, and social media.

Starting with the home game against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, fans can opt into a "fan mode" within the club's app. This mode will track how often a phone is unlocked during the game, excluding halftime. Points will be awarded based on minimal phone usage, with the highest point earners eligible for prizes such as signed jerseys and gift cards for club merchandise. Each phone unlock will result in a point deduction.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer emphasized the value of shared, present experiences in the stadium, stating, "Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable." The program is entirely voluntary, and there is no ban on phone usage.

This initiative by Dortmund is part of a broader trend in German football to counter the increasing commercialization of stadium atmospheres for social media content, particularly by influencers using professional equipment. Other clubs have also implemented similar measures. Second-division club Hertha Berlin recently banned "commercially produced and monetised" video productions while still permitting personal photo and video capture. Dynamo Dresden also announced in August a ban on commercial filming for social media, aiming to ensure fan comfort and protect the club's broadcasting rights.