Dortmund offers rewards to encourage fans to put phones away

Dortmund wants the shared experience in the stands to give supporters a reason to keep their phones away. The club has announced a rewards programme for fans who refrain from using their devices during matches, built around the idea of “an irreplaceable moment”. Selfies could therefore cost supporters the chance to enjoy those benefits, rather than bring an announced penalty.

The scheme uses a dedicated app to count how often a phone is unlocked while its owner is inside the stadium. Eligible supporters can receive shirts signed by the players or gift cards to spend on club merchandise. The aim is not simply to discourage repeated phone checks: the club is also offering a tangible incentive to those who limit their use of their devices.

Dortmund says that “a growing number of supporters are bothered by selfies, live streams and the use of social media in the stands”. The club’s app will allow fans to activate “fan mode”, which is due to be available from Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt. Executive director Carsten Cramer defended the approach in a statement issued on Thursday: “More than 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering and sharing the moment together — this present moment is irreplaceable.”

The emphasis on a shared experience comes as stadium atmospheres are also captured and circulated online. German football has seen a wider push against turning the stands into social-media content, particularly when influencers bring professional filming equipment. In Berlin, second-division side Hertha announced this month that it would ban videos made for commercial purposes or profit at its matches, while still allowing supporters to take photos and videos for personal use.

Dortmund’s approach centres on encouragement rather than a blanket ban: the club is linking reduced phone use to rewards while making the case for the value of experiencing a match together in the stands.