2nd league
“17 free spins for everyone”: This is how the ticket revolution at Fortuna Düsseldorf should work
The CEO of Fortuna Düsseldorf, Alexander Jobst (left), and sports director Klaus Allofs explain the plans for the free tickets
© Oliver Berg / DPA
Fortuna Düsseldorf has presented a daring plan: From next season there should be at least three free home games for the fans. Later there will be free entry to all 17 home games. The competition is skeptical.
Fortuna Düsseldorf is attempting a football revolution and wants to give fans free entry to at least three second division home games in the coming season. With the help of sponsorship money of 45 million euros, the number of games free of charge for spectators should continue to rise in the future, and the strategic reorientation should also bring the club back into the Bundesliga. The slogan: “Fortuna for everyone”. “This is the beginning of a new journey for us. We are grateful that we have created an economic basis with our partners,” said CEO Alexander Jobst. The previous partners for the new model over the next five years are Provincial Versicherung, Targobank, the American information technology company Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the Common Goal initiative.
“We want to offer at least three games without entry fees in the new season. Our goal is 17 free games for everyone,” said Fortuna boss Jobst. How much time this goal will take is not yet foreseeable. So far, the second division club has had an average attendance of almost 30,000 visitors this season. The arena was sold out for the first time since 2019 in the home game against Hamburger SV with 52,200 spectators.
Club boss Jobst explained that there was also an economic need for the step. “We had stagnation in some business areas. This project gives us stability. We also want to put together a competitive squad,” said the 49-year-old.
“This is something that has never happened before and can really trigger a revolution in professional football,” said Düsseldorf Mayor Stephan Keller. The CDU politician wants to find other ways with the club to anchor Fortuna more firmly in the city. As the stadium owner, the city of Düsseldorf is also interested in a successful football club. “This unique concept shows what Düsseldorf can do and is a win for our sports city,” said Keller.
How are the sponsorship funds used?
In addition to investments in the professional squad, 20 percent should go to youth and women’s football. The digital infrastructure and the arena should also benefit with 20 percent. Popular sport in the city is funded with ten percent.
How do Fortuna Düsseldorf fans get tickets?
You have to register and apply on a digital platform. The guest contingent is handled by the respective clubs. Season ticket holders get their place, members have a head start when ordering. The goal is to give all fans free entry. “But demand will exceed supply,” Jobst said. There is then a raffle process for this.
How did fans take the news?
Fan spokesman Jost Peter sees Fortuna Düsseldorf’s plans, according to which spectators will be able to watch football games free of charge in the future, as consistently positive. “Football for everyone – we all welcome that. That’s our motto, too,” said the chairman of the “Our Curve” fan alliance on Wednesday. “We think it’s good that Fortuna Düsseldorf is setting an example.”
How is the competition reacting?
The reactions of other clubs to the campaign have so far been rather reserved. “This is undoubtedly an interesting, creative and not least headline-grabbing approach by the colleagues from Düsseldorf. There are numerous aspects to consider when it comes to implementation. In this respect, we will be watching Fortuna’s test closely,” said Frank Briel, Managing Director of Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim. Neighbor 1. FC Köln made it clear: “For a model that works in the long term, it’s ultimately a question of how the professional football and stadium experience is financed. We can’t do that without the ticket income from our great fans,” said FC Managing Director Markus Rejek.
The Düsseldorfer EG from the German Ice Hockey League followed the plans with great interest and appreciation. The eight-time German champion does not fear negative consequences for DEG in terms of its own viewership. “If it’s possible to make professional sport – whatever it is – available to fans free of charge, that’s a remarkable and highly commendable step,” said DEG Managing Director Harald Wirtz.