Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
Stop the selfies! German soccer club rewards fans who avoid their phones during games

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) - A stadium selfie could soon cost fans of German soccer giant Borussia Dortmund after the club announced plans to reward those who leave their phones alone during the game.

Dortmund is offering signed jerseys and gift cards for club merchandise to fans who use an app which measures how often they unlock their phones at its stadium.

Arguing that "more and more fans are annoyed by selfies, streaming, and social media in the stands," Dortmund says supporters can volunteer to use a "fan mode" in the club's app, starting Saturday with a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Fan mode will measure how often the phone is unlocked during the game - not counting the halftime break - and award points to people based on how little they use the device, with prizes on offer for those with the most points. Each time the phone is unlocked, the user loses points.

"Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable," Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer said in a statement Thursday.

The rewards scheme and app are voluntary and there's no ban on fans using their phones.

Borussia Dortmund's fans hold up their team scarfs prior to the start of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Borussia Dortmund's fans hold up their team scarfs prior to the start of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

German soccer is famed for its vocal fanbase, especially Dortmund's vast and loud "Yellow Wall" standing section.

The club's stance is part of a backlash in German soccer against attempts to turn its stadium atmosphere into social media content, especially by influencers using professional camera equipment.

Second-division club Hertha Berlin said this month it was banning "commercially produced and monetized" video productions from its games, while allowing fans to take photos and videos for personal use.

Another club, Dynamo Dresden, said in August it would ban commercial filming for social media, saying it wanted to ensure fans felt comfortable at the game and to protect the club's TV rights deals.

___

See AP´s full soccer coverage here

Borussia's fans cheer during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sabah FK and Borussia Dortmund in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo)
Borussia's fans cheer during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sabah FK and Borussia Dortmund in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo)

You may like

The 10 Highest Paid Soccer Players in 2026: Where Ronaldo, Messi, Yamal Rank

wjtv.com 19 hours ago

Why do Man City fans boo pre-match anthems?

aol.com 2 days ago

Cristiano Ronaldo Given 30-Day Ban and Fine by Portuguese FA

archysport.com 2 days ago

Dembele to miss Ballon d’Or event as PSG game moved amid protests in France

aljazeera.com 3 hours ago

Erling Haaland thanks Argentina players for introducing him to mate

archysport.com 8 hours ago

‘I want it so badly’: PSG heartbreak fuelling Arsenal, says Arteta

freemalaysiatoday.com 2 days ago

Jose Mourinho El Clasico Record Ahead of Real Madrid Return

archysport.com 2 hours ago

Manchester United fans invited to shape design of new 100,000-capacity stadium

aol.com 7 hours ago

Barcelona and Real Madrid combined XI: Who makes the cut ahead of El Clasico?

planetfootball.com 9 hours ago

Transfer Rumors: Man Utd Eye Emergency Striker; Real Madrid’s Mbappe, Vini Jr Sale Plan

wjtv.com 1 day ago