German FA fines Bayern Munich and Stuttgart after fireworks

The German Football Association (DFB) has imposed unprecedented fines of €260,000 on both Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart after the Cup final on 23 May 2026, where fans unleashed massive fireworks, while the match itself ended with a 3‑0 victory for Bayern thanks to Harry Kane’s hat‑trick.

Bayern Munich defeated VfB Stuttgart 3-0 in the German Cup final held on 23 May 2026 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Harry Kane scored all three goals, completing a hat‑trick. The match was briefly halted in the 55th minute when dense smoke from fireworks reduced visibility.

Supporters of both clubs ignited a massive quantity of fireworks on the terraces. The German Football Association reported roughly three hundred torches per supporters’ group. The smoke generated by the pyrotechnics forced officials to pause play.

The fireworks formed part of a broader protest organised by the fan groups. Banners bearing the slogan “Great rivals agree” were displayed by both Bayern and Stuttgart supporters. The messages targeted police violence, high ticket prices and stadium bans.

Following an investigation, the German Football Association imposed fines of €260,000 on each club. More than €80,000 of each fine may be allocated by the clubs toward safety measures or violence prevention.

The announcement was made today at 19:42, even though the final took place in late May. The delayed decision highlights the association’s ongoing focus on fan‑related security issues.

The penalties have been described as unprecedentedly severe for German football. Both Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart face the heaviest financial sanctions ever recorded for fan misconduct in a cup final.

The stark contrast between a spectacular on‑field triumph and the off‑field fallout underscores how fan behaviour can eclipse sporting success. The DFB’s heavy fines signal a firm warning to clubs about the consequences of uncontrolled pyrotechnics.