Dortmund and Vodafone launch Fan Mode to curb stadium phone use

German club Borussia Dortmund has partnered with telecoms group Vodafone to roll out a new app called Fan Mode, which rewards supporters who keep their phones locked for the full ninety minutes of a match at Signal Iduna Park.

How the Fan Mode works

Fans activate Fan Mode in the club’s official app and earn a point for every minute the screen remains blocked. Points accumulate and can be exchanged for chances to win signed shirts or vouchers for the club shop. Halftime and extra‑time periods are excluded from the tally.

The initiative stems from a Vodafone survey of one thousand regular stadium visitors. The research revealed that roughly 63 percent of respondents frequently used their phones during games, prompting the development of the phone‑free solution. The findings were highlighted in Esporte and reported in News Mundo.

According to the club, the app is designed to enhance the live‑match experience and encourage fans to focus more on the action unfolding on the pitch.

Dortmund’s supporters are among the most engaged in Europe, having achieved a full‑capacity crowd throughout the previous season. The club will therefore reward fans who comply with the new Fan Mode during matches at Signal Iduna Park.