Borussia Dortmund rewards fans who don’t use smartphones

In the heart of Signal Iduna Park, where the hum of chants blends with the buzz of phones, Borussia Dortmund announces a new feature: FanModus, which rewards fans who, during home matches, keep their smartphone in their pocket.

FanModus: points for digital silence

The German club has added the new feature called ‘FanModus’ to its app, which awards one point for each minute spent without touching the phone during home games. The system records the time the screen remains locked and pauses the count during halftime, then allows the mode to be re‑activated for the second half. At the final whistle, the highest scores will entitle fans to prizes, including signed jerseys and purchase vouchers for the official store.

Borussia Dortmund, already featured in programmes on Sportmediaset, XXL, and in Live broadcasts, Video, Highlights, official News and Photos, uses the visibility to promote mutual respect in the stands. Within the context of German football, the proposal sits alongside initiatives linked to Tennis, Formula E and other sports featured in the Sport programming.

The club reminds supporters that, besides the Bundesliga, fans also follow the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana, competitions that have fueled the passion for football in Italy and the European league titles. These competitions demonstrate the club’s interest in international football.

Dortmund’s pressing tactics, celebrated in the Drive UP videos, become a metaphor for the digital pressure that FanModus aims to reduce. The concept of ‘digital pressing’ seeks to push fans to focus on the game.

Fans’ reactions

"More and more fans are annoyed by selfies, streaming and social media in the stands," the club said in the press release.

"Leave the smartphone in your pocket at the stadium and enjoy the match with all your senses," is the invitation to supporters.

According to data provided by Borussia Dortmund, almost two‑thirds of spectators regularly use their smartphone in the stands. The information is available in the Personal Area section, with Help, FAQ, Info, Cookie and Policy updated to Oct 2026, and in the Lifestyle section of the website.

The feature will be operational from the next Bundesliga match, Saturday against Eintracht Frankfurt, with the option to follow its Highlights live and in video.