Borussia Dortmund is taking steps to enhance the match-day experience for fans at Signal Iduna Park by encouraging greater focus on the game and the team. To minimize distractions from smartphones and social media, the club has introduced a new reward system for supporters who spend less time on their devices during matches.
Fans can now activate the “Fan Mode” feature in the BVB app. When turned on, this mode tracks the time the phone’s screen is locked, allowing fans to accumulate points for every minute they refrain from using their devices.
“Fan Mode” can be deactivated during half-time, and participation is voluntary. However, it requires access to the device’s location to verify the fan is present at the stadium.
After each game, the points total will be calculated, and participants with the highest scores will have the chance to win prizes such as Borussia Dortmund jerseys and fan store vouchers. This initiative will kick off during the upcoming league match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening.
Top Scorers Will Compete for Borussia Dortmund Merchandise and Fan Store Vouchers
A recent survey conducted by Borussia Dortmund found that 63% of football fans frequently use their smartphones while in the stands. The primary goal of this initiative is to foster more real moments and emotions within the stadium, as stated in the reports.
Club president Carsten Cramer noted, “With over 81,000 people in the stadium singing, celebrating, and cheering together, this ‘here and now’ experience is irreplaceable. This is exactly what we are focusing on together.”
He added, “Fan Mode” sends a strong signal, leveraging innovative technology to protect an experience that cannot be replaced by anything else.”
Journalists from BILD ponder whether Borussia Dortmund can genuinely convince more fans to keep their phones in their pockets. They suggest that the team’s engaging play and high-scoring matches could be crucial in this effort.
