Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart supporters staged a coordinated protest at Saturday's DFB Cup final in Berlin, uniting against the German Football Association over soaring ticket costs. The demonstration saw fans from both clubs exchange coordinated chants and unfurl large banners criticising the DFB's pricing structure, marking a rare moment of solidarity between rival supporters.
The Banner Statement
During the second half at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, Stuttgart fans displayed a massive 15-metre-wide banner featuring a crossed-out DFB logo, which they passed across the stands toward the Bayern section. Stadium stewards subsequently removed the federation's emblem from the main stand, though the protest message "Plaintiff, Judge, Executioner" remained visible. Bayern supporters countered with their own banner reading "Great rivals unite: F**k you, DFB," while Stuttgart fans displayed "We fight against everything you stand for." For several minutes, chanting echoed through the stadium as supporters from both sides joined in unified opposition.
Ticket Pricing Row
The protest centred on the DFB's ticket allocation and pricing strategy. Club No. 12, representing Bayern's active fan community, outlined the grievance in a pre-match statement. The federation offered tickets across four categories: €45 for the cheapest category, €80, €150, and €195 for premium seating. Club No. 12 criticized the disproportionate allocation toward expensive Category 1 and 2 seats whilst limiting affordable options.
The fans' argument highlighted inconsistency in the DFB's approach. Whilst the federation typically provides discounts for schoolchildren, students, and other groups at regular competitions, the Cup final—marketed as a prestige event—showed no such consideration. This disconnect sparked accusations that the DFB prioritized revenue over social responsibility.
Match Disruption
Following the protest demonstrations, pyrotechnics ignited in both supporter sections around the 60-minute mark, forcing a temporary match stoppage due to reduced visibility. The incident underscored the intensity of feeling surrounding ticket accessibility in German football, a long-standing tension between governing bodies and fan communities seeking to maintain the sport's inclusive traditions.
