Borussia Dortmund Offers Merchandise to Fans Who Leave Phones Alone
Borussia Dortmund is launching a rewards program starting Saturday to combat stadium phone distraction, offering signed jerseys and merchandise gift cards to fans who avoid unlocking their devices during home matches, the Associated Press reported. Supporters can voluntarily activate a “fan mode” feature within the club’s official mobile application during the fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The software tracks screen interaction by counting how many times a user unlocks their phone while the match is underway, excluding the halftime interval. Users accumulate points based on minimal device usage, losing points with each unlock. The voluntary scheme imposes no actual restrictions or bans on mobile phone usage inside the stadium, distinguishing itself from punitive measures seen elsewhere in German football.
“Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable,” Borussia Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer said in a statement released Thursday.
Growing Backlash Against Stadium Social Media Content Across German Leagues
Borussia Dortmund’s initiative arrives amid a wider pushback within German soccer against turning traditional matchday atmospheres into social media content, particularly by influencers utilizing professional camera equipment in the stands. The club’s famed “Yellow Wall” standing section exemplifies the vocal and traditional fan culture that clubs are seeking to protect from digital distraction.
Other German clubs have taken direct regulatory steps to curb commercial filming in recent weeks. Second-division club Hertha Berlin announced a ban on “commercially produced and monetized” video productions at its matches this month, while still allowing personal photos and videos. Dynamo Dresden implemented a similar policy in August, restricting commercial social media filming to safeguard its television rights agreements and maintain spectator comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dortmund Fan Mode App
How does the Borussia Dortmund fan mode app calculate points?
The app measures how often a user unlocks their smartphone during live match action, explicitly excluding the halftime break. Participants lose points each time they unlock their device, and those with the highest point totals at the end of the match qualify for prizes including signed jerseys and merchandise gift cards.
Is using the fan mode app mandatory for Borussia Dortmund fans?
No, participation in the rewards scheme is entirely voluntary. Borussia Dortmund has instituted no official ban on mobile phones inside the stadium for the match against Eintracht Frankfurt.