A phone-free Yellow Wall: are Dortmund urging fans to be present or policing them?
Summary
Borussia Dortmund offered rewards to fans who used its app’s “fan mode” to track how often they unlocked their phones during a match against Eintracht Frankfurt. The club says it wants supporters to focus on the game and shared atmosphere, while the initiative raises questions about how far teams should go in shaping fans’ behavior.Key Facts
- Dortmund’s home match against Eintracht Frankfurt drew 81,365 fans.
- Max Beier scored the only goal in Dortmund’s win over Frankfurt.
- Before the match, Dortmund offered the chance to win signed jerseys and earn merchandise gift cards to fans who limited phone use.
- The club’s app feature tracked how often participating fans unlocked their phones and awarded points for time spent off them.
- Dortmund chief executive Carsten Cramer said the club wanted to highlight the shared, in-person experience of attending a match.
- Vodafone Germany chief executive Marcel de Groot also urged fans to use their phones less and focus on the action.
- Hertha Berlin and Dynamo Dresden have banned commercial influencer-style videos in their stadiums, citing concerns about media rights and the fan experience.
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