Second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf has officially presented its plans for a ticket revolution in German professional football with big words. The concept of the Rhinelanders is to grant all spectators free entry to the club’s home games in the future. Questions and answers about the unique pilot project.
Free tickets: What is Fortuna up to?
With the “Fortuna for everyone” concept, the second division club would like to grant all spectators free entry to its home games in the future. Even guest fans should no longer have to pay. The project is to be implemented in a pilot phase in at least three home games in the coming season. In the season after next, according to the vision, all home games should then be “free”. But: “When we finally give 17 games free entry depends on how things develop. We have now laid the foundation,” said CFO Arnd Hovemann.
Free to the stadium: how does the club plan to finance it?
This revolutionary approach is made possible by “strategic partners who, together with us, are convinced that football primarily belongs to the fans and will accompany our new path in the long term,” said a letter to sponsors. Three companies (Hewlett-Packard, Targobank, Provinzial) and the Common Goal initiative are behind the project and will provide an “economic foundation” of around 45 million euros over the next five years. The future sponsoring income generated via the new method is to be distributed according to a specific formula.
What does this key look like?
In addition to investments in the professional squad, 20 percent should flow into young people and women’s football. A further 20 percent is earmarked for the digital infrastructure and the arena, in which EM games will also take place in 2024. With ten percent, mass sport in the city and sustainability projects are to be funded.
Fortuna Düsseldorf: How should the tickets be distributed?
Fans can apply for tickets via a digital platform. According to Fortuna, members get a head start compared to non-members to access the tickets – a maximum of five tickets per person is possible. The distribution takes place according to the “raffle principle”. Season ticket holders are still entitled to their original seat. The distribution of the prescribed contingent for away fans continues to be carried out via the visiting club.
Free tickets: what are the reactions?
The “Our Curve” fan alliance welcomed the plans – and warned at the same time. “We have been of the opinion for years that football should be there for everyone. Of course it’s also about ticket prices. According to the current status of the facts, the idea of Fortuna is therefore to be welcomed,” spokesman Thomas Kessen told SID: “It stays, however It remains to be seen whether and what influence sponsors will get from the commitment. Benefits such as the white letter in the Munich Arena would seriously damage what is actually a good idea.”
And what do the other professional clubs say?
Initially, several clubs from the Bundesliga and 2nd division did not want to comment, numerous clubs left an inquiry on the subject unanswered. Managing Director Frank Briel from TSG Hoffenheim described the approach as “interesting, creative and, last but not least, making headlines”. The test will be “observed carefully” and compared with “our own ideas that we have developed in terms of ticketing”.