Welcome to the big stage: Taking Borussia Dortmund's international marketing to the next level

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SPORTFIVE has been at BVB's side since 1999. Our outstanding national and international sales work has helped BVB grow into one of the leading Bundesliga and top European clubs.

Real love. Only BVB. Borussia Dortmund has always been a club that moves people - in Dortmund, in Germany and in the world. Founded in the Ruhr region in 1909, the club has embarked on an international triumphant march from there over the past 15 years. Borussia Dortmund is the No.1 popular club in Germany with the highest average attendance in world football - 80,230 fans provide the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park, above all the iconic yellow wall. Once Erling Haaland, now Jude Bellingham: BVB's brand ambassadors are football's hottest prospects.

SPORTFIVE has been at Borussia Dortmund's side since 1999 and has not only accompanied the club on its triumphal march around the world since then, but has - through excellent marketing - also played an important part in this success.

A true success story

Together, we have managed to increase our revenues in all areas each year.

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increase in revenues in the last four years

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Followers at international social media club channels (+21% in 2021)

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brand awareness of BVB’s main sponsor Evonik Industries in 12 years

Challenge

Borussia Dortmund has always been a "people club" - with fans that stand by their club no matter what. It is this special down-to-earthness with its origins in the former industrial city of Dortmund that, coupled with the unique emotions, make the BVB experience so unique and attract fans worldwide.

Football clubs like BVB are increasingly competing globally for fans' attention. They are competing against clubs that can fall back on investments worth millions. In order to keep up with this competition, strong partners and innovative, holistic, global sales solutions are needed to win them over. 

SPORTFIVE solution

SPORTFIVE's global network is the core driver of the partnership. In addition to the SPORTFIVE team in Dortmund, an additional Global Partnerships team in Düsseldorf as well as SPORTFIVE offices in USA, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea , etc. are helping BVB to better leverage international sales potential.  

Results

01

Continuous sales increase

In the last 4 years, we have been able to increase sales from under € 88 million to the current € 140 million (with further growth potential). 


02

Invented and brokered by SPORTFIVE

First Bundesliga club with national (1&1) and international jersey partner (EVONIK)


03

Innovations along the way

BVB as the first Bundesliga club with virtual advertising technology in the market, in cooperation with SPORTFIVE (since 2018)

Development of international BVB fan app


BVB eFootball: Joint product development with SPORTFIVE. Now the leading Twitch channel of all Bundesliga teams.

04

Successful social media management

SPORTFIVE is responsible for building and managing BVB's highly successful English-language @blackyellow channels (Twitter, Instagram). In 2020, BVB won the Football Content Award. 

"We value SPORTFIVE as a strong and trustworthy partner who has helped BVB move forward with its innovative strength. Together, we have managed to increase our revenues in all areas every year. Thanks to SPORTFIVE's global distribution network, we can continue to drive our international growth."


Carsten Cramer, Managing Director Borussia Dortmund

Football as real as it gets

No matter what: Borussia Dortmund thrills fans in Germany and worldwide

"SPORTFIVE is making a significant contribution to achieving BVB's ambitious national, international and digital growth targets. We gain partners who contribute to Borussia Dortmund's brand promise, strengthen its national position and raise its international profile."


Hendrik Schiphorst, Managing Director SPORTFIVE Germany

Beyond the Match
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