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

What the report says

German club Borussia Dortmund has announced a voluntary rewards scheme aimed at fans who limit phone use during matches at its stadium. According to Al Jazeera, the program is set to begin on Saturday at Dortmund’s home game against Eintracht Frankfurt and will be run through the club’s app.

The app’s “fan mode” tracks how often a supporter unlocks their phone during the match, excluding the halftime break. Fans earn points for keeping their devices tucked away, and those with the highest totals can receive prizes such as signed jerseys and gift cards for club merchandise. Dortmund said the idea is meant to encourage people to stay focused on the atmosphere in the stands rather than on selfies, streaming, or social media.

Club chief executive Carsten Cramer said the experience of tens of thousands of fans singing and cheering together is something that cannot be replaced by a screen. The club stressed that the scheme does not ban phone use and that participation is optional.

The move fits into a broader discussion in German football about how stadium crowds should be shared online. Al Jazeera noted that other clubs, including Hertha Berlin and Dynamo Dresden, have recently taken steps to restrict certain kinds of filming for commercial or social media use, while still allowing ordinary personal photos and videos.