Borussia Dortmund rewards fans who put their phones away during matches

Borussia Dortmund has introduced a new measure aimed at limiting phone use in the stands during matches. The German club wants to protect the atmosphere at its stadium and is rewarding fans who keep their phones locked during games, as reported by The Independent, RMC Sport, Voetbal International, Mundo Deportivo, Der Spiegel, kicker, TuttoMercatoWeb, ESPN, Voetbalprimeur, ElDesmarque and So Foot.

A fan mode to cut distractions

The club has launched a "fan mode" that fans can activate during matches, according to Voetbalprimeur. This feature, developed in partnership with Vodafone, aims to reduce phone use in the stands. The initiative is part of a campaign to keep spectators focused on the action on the pitch and in the stands, as TuttoMercatoWeb notes.

Rewards for phone-free fans

Fans who do not use their phones during a match earn points for every minute they stay off their devices, according to ElDesmarque. These points can be used to enter draws for signed shirts and vouchers. The club has described the experience of attending a match without a phone as "irreplaceable," according to the same source.

A growing concern for the club

Borussia Dortmund is tired of seeing fans constantly reaching for their phones during games, as Voetbal International reports. The club wants to change this behavior and has decided to take action. The initiative has been widely covered across Europe, with outlets in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom reporting on the move.

Official confirmation and next steps

The club has not yet issued a formal statement, but the initiative has been confirmed by multiple media sources. The fan mode is now available for supporters to use at the stadium. Further details on how the rewards system will work in practice are expected in the coming weeks.