Germany’s Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs have agreed on a framework to allow a limited number of fans back into stadiums as early as the 2020-21 season opener on September 18, 2020, pending approval from local health authorities in Germany’s 16 federal states.
The decision, finalized during a virtual meeting of the 36 clubs on August 4, comes as the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) navigates the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which reported an average of 1,156 new daily cases in Germany in early August, per the Robert Koch Institute.
Strict Health Measures
The DFL’s plan, led by CEO Christian Seifert, includes stringent protocols to ensure safety: no alcohol sales, no standing areas until at least October 31, no away fans until the end of 2020, and mandatory contact data collection for all attendees to aid in contact tracing. Seifert emphasized, “Professional football can only come back in steps. There is no magic switch for politicians to give the green light for full stadiums.”
The absence of alcohol and standing sections aims to enforce social distancing, while personalized tickets will track attendees, addressing concerns raised by Germany’s health minister Jens Spahn about the “practicability” of such measures during a pandemic.
Regional Discretion and Challenges
Local health ministers, set to meet on August 10, 2020, will determine the number of fans allowed, based on regional infection rates. Clubs like RB Leipzig secured approval for 8,500 fans (20% capacity) for their opener against Mainz, while Bayern Munich planned for season-ticket holder lotteries.
However, political resistance remains, with Bavaria’s premier Markus Söder deeming large crowds “hard to imagine” and Spahn cautioning against “unnecessary risks.” The DFL’s earlier optimism in March 2020 for a fanless season until 2021 underscores the cautious optimism now, with Seifert noting, “We don’t expect anything and don’t demand anything. We only prepare ourselves.”
Fan Culture at Stake
The Bundesliga, known for its vibrant fan culture and affordable tickets—averaging 38,656 spectators per game in 2024-25—faces a cultural shift. Standing terraces, a hallmark of German football, will be temporarily replaced by seated-only arrangements to ensure distancing, a move the DFL insists won’t undermine its commitment to fan traditions.
Fan groups like ProFans have raised concerns about data privacy with personalized tickets, fearing “surveillance and control.” Despite these hurdles, clubs like Union Berlin, which proposed mass testing for full capacity, remain hopeful for a gradual return to normalcy.
Football’s Broader Context
The Bundesliga’s proactive approach follows its pioneering restart in May 2020, setting a precedent for Europe’s top leagues. As Ghana considered barring unvaccinated fans from stadiums in 2021 amid Omicron concerns, Germany’s earlier measures reflect a similar balance between public health and football’s economic needs, with the league facing potential revenue losses of €650 million without fans.
The 2020-21 season, with fixtures released on August 7, 2020, and a transfer window open until October 5, promises a challenging yet hopeful chapter for German football.
