Dortmund rewards fans who avoid phones during matches

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

Borussia Dortmund is offering signed jerseys and merchandise vouchers to fans who minimize phone use during games.

Borussia Dortmund has launched a scheme to encourage supporters to put away their smartphones during matches. The club is offering signed jerseys and merchandise gift cards to fans who use a 'fan mode' in its app, which measures phone unlocks during games. The voluntary feature starts on Saturday with a home fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The app tracks how often a phone is unlocked during play, excluding halftime, and awards points to users who keep their devices locked. Each unlock costs points, with prizes available for those scoring highest. CEO Carsten Cramer said the initiative reflects fan feedback, stating: 'Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable.'

Dortmund emphasizes that the rewards scheme is entirely voluntary and does not impose a ban on phone use. The initiative reflects a wider backlash across German football against transforming stadium atmospheres into social media content. Hertha Berlin announced this month it was banning 'commercially produced and monetised' video productions from matches, while Dynamo Dresden similarly restricted commercial filming in August. The Independent Sport reports that Dortmund's players will not face matchday phone restrictions.

How it is being reported

• Borussia Dortmund launch anti-phone initiative for fans in stadiumBorussia Dortmund have launched a new initiative to protect the atmosphere at their iconic stadium.Independent Sport · 23 Oct, 15:53
• Dortmund to reward football supporters who don’t use phone during matchesBorussia Dortmund's new scheme does not mean a ban on supporters using their phones and system is voluntary for fans.Al Jazeera · 23 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Borussia Dortmund · Eintracht Frankfurt · Carsten Cramer · Hertha Berlin · Dynamo Dresden · Niko Kovac

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