Fortuna Düsseldorf plans to allow fans in for free

German Bundesliga 2 club Fortuna Düsseldorf is planning to allow all fans to attend games for free in a bid to boost attendances. The "Fortuna for all" initiative is to begin with a three-match pilot phase next season. Second-division German football club Fortuna Düsseldorf are set to launch a novel campaign to boost attendance at their home games: letting all fans in for free. According to an internal memo distributed to sponsors and partners this week, the "Fortuna for all" initiative will aim to "enable all fans to attend home league games for free — whether members, season ticket holders, organized support, regular visitors or away fans." The campaign, which is set to be officially announced by the club at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, could begin with a three-match pilot phase as early as next season, according to local media, before being rolled out to cover all home games. According to the memo, the financial cost of the planned giveaway — ticket revenues account on average for around 15% of clubs' revenues in Bundesliga 2 — is to be offset by a network of "strategic partners who share our conviction that football belongs to the fans and who want to accompany us on our new path for the long term." The as yet unspecified increased sponsoring revenues are set to be split between investment in the first team, women's team and youth team. 20% is earmarked for digital infrastructure in the club's Merkur-Spiel-Arena, while 10% will flow into grassroots sport and sustainability projects in the city. According to the local Rheinische Post newspaper, the initiative will not include the sale of shares in Fortuna Düsseldorf to investors — often a red flag for many German football fans who are protective of their member-controlled clubs. Still, Kessen is wary of what sort of influence potential new sponsors might want in return for their support. Reports stated that the test stage for free entry will be held in three matches on the team’s land in the 2023-2024 season, and if everything goes well, the fans will be able to attend the matches for free from the following season. According to reports, club members and season ticket holders will get first-choice free tickets, while VIP tickets and hosting are not part of the scheme.