flag
back Back
Dortmund to reward football supporters who don’t use phone during matches

Borussia Dortmund’s new scheme does not mean a ban on supporters using their phones and system is voluntary for fans.

Dortmund's fans during the UEFA Champions League football match between Sabah and Borussia Dortmund at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku on October 20, 2026. (Photo by Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE / AFP)
German football is famed for its vocal fanbase, especially Dortmund's vast and loud “Yellow Wall” standing section. [Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP]

A stadium selfie could soon be to a fan’s detriment at German football giant Borussia Dortmund after the club announced plans to reward those who leave their phones alone during the game.

Dortmund is offering signed jerseys and gift cards for club merchandise to fans who use an app which measures how often they unlock their phones at its stadium.

Arguing that “more and more fans are annoyed by selfies, streaming, and social media in the stands,” Dortmund says supporters can volunteer to use a “fan mode” in the club’s app, starting Saturday with a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Fan mode will measure how often the phone is unlocked during the game, not counting the halftime break, and award points to people based on how little they use the device, with prizes on offer for those with the most points. Each time the phone is unlocked, the user loses points.

“Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable,” Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer said in a statement late on Thursday.

The rewards scheme and app are voluntary, and there’s no ban on fans using their phones.

German football is famed for its vocal fanbase, especially Dortmund’s vast and loud “Yellow Wall” standing section.

The club’s stance is part of a backlash in German football against attempts to turn its stadium atmosphere into social media content, especially by influencers using professional camera equipment.

Second-division club Hertha Berlin said this month it was banning “commercially produced and monetised” video productions from its games, while allowing fans to take photos and videos for personal use.

Another club, Dynamo Dresden, said in August it would ban commercial filming for social media, saying it wanted to ensure fans felt comfortable at the game and to protect the club’s TV rights deals.

You may like

The 10 Highest Paid Soccer Players in 2026: Where Ronaldo, Messi, Yamal Rank

wjtv.com 19 hours ago

Over 300 Athletes Gather for 20th Copa Regatas Judo in Lima

archysport.com 1 week ago

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany hospitalized after collapsing at training

dailymail.com 22 minutes ago

Why do Man City fans boo pre-match anthems?

aol.com 2 days ago

Erling Haaland thanks Argentina players for introducing him to mate

archysport.com 7 hours ago

Jose Mourinho El Clasico Record Ahead of Real Madrid Return

archysport.com 2 hours ago

Dembele to miss Ballon d’Or event as PSG game moved amid protests in France

aljazeera.com 3 hours ago

Barcelona and Real Madrid combined XI: Who makes the cut ahead of El Clasico?

planetfootball.com 9 hours ago

Markus Söder und Oliver Kahn kritisieren Jürgen Klopp

archysport.com 13 hours ago

Mourinho reshapes Real Madrid’s lineup ahead of El Clásico

archysport.com 8 hours ago