Borussia Dortmund launches 'Modo Torcedor' to curb phones at Iduna

At Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund – currently second in the Bundesliga – unveiled the ‘Modo Torcedor’ scheme in partnership with Vodafone, rewarding fans who keep smartphones unused during the 90‑minute home match. The initiative aims to curb distractions and boost stadium atmosphere.

The Alemão club signed the deal with Vodafone to roll out the Modo Torcedor across all Bundesliga fixtures at its home ground. By incentivising supporters to switch off their devices, Dortmund hopes to improve concentration on the pitch and restore the famed atmosphere of the Yellow Wall.

Reward structure

Fans who keep their smartphones untouched for each minute of the 90‑minute match earn entries into exclusive draws. Prizes include official jerseys signed by players and vouchers redeemable in the club’s merchandise stores.

The minute count stops at full‑time; stoppage time and extra periods are ignored. During halftime supporters may use their phones freely, then reactivate the app for the second half to continue accumulating minutes.

Fan response and registration

Vodafone’s survey of a thousand stadium‑goers revealed that 63 percent regularly use phones during games, leading to excessive filming and selfies that disturb traditional fans. The club launched the initiative after complaints from the Yellow Wall community.

Participation is voluntary and open to supporters aged sixteen or older who have a Dortmund fan profile in the club’s system. Registrants must enable real‑time GPS location, and the app works on Android and iOS devices throughout the season.

If successful, the programme could set a precedent for other German clubs seeking to curb digital distraction and revive the collective match‑day experience across the Bundesliga.

At halftime, supporters are free to browse social media or any phone content without penalty, resuming the app only when the second half kicks off.

The club warns that any breach of the usage terms will be reported and may lead to removal from the programme.