BVB FanWelt
In Dortmund, the world is black and yellow; we give it a home.
  • Location
    Dortmund
  • Project
    New building and interior design, fan shop, exhibitions, café for BVB
  • Procedure
    1st prize invited competition
  • Client
    BVB Merchandising GmbH
  • Architect of record
    Caspar Schmitz-Morkramer
  • Project controlling
    TEAM Baumanagement, Cologne
  • Technical building equipment
    Ingenierbüro Nordhorn, Münster
  • Structural engineering;
    Building physics
    osd Ingenieure, Frankfurt a.M.
  • Fire protection
    Jung, Meyer & Partner, Kleve
  • Traffic planning
    Dipl.-Ing. Willi Hördemann, Castrop-Rauxel
  • Light planning
    AG Licht, Bonn
  • Planning and construction period
    2013–2014
  • Service phases
    1–5, 8 (artistic supervision), 1–3 (shop design)
  • Gross floor area
    3,420 m²
  • Photos
    HGEsch
  • This project is from the joint period of meyerschmitzmorkramer.

The Borussia Dortmund (BVB) fan club is fervently devoted, dressing head-to-toe in the team’s signature black and yellow. Soccer is more than a game for them; it’s an all-encompassing passion, a way of life. Recognizing this dedication, we created the BVB FanWelt (Fan World) adjacent to the stadium. While overshadowed in scale by the looming soccer arena, this two-story, 2,500 square meter complex allows fans of all ages to immerse themselves fully in the BVB universe within. Tickets are sold at up to 20 counters. The merchandise store offers over 1,000 branded fan items. On-site customization like jersey flocking is available. Additional highlights include a travel agency, a café with a terrace, a mini soccer pitch, children’s play zones with a ball pit, interactive exhibits, and even a stylized rendition of the famed “Yellow Wall” south stand. This is the essence of a truly dedicated fan base.

First impressions

Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park stadium boasts 81,365 seats and consistently nears capacity on match days as fans flood in. Fans approach the stadium from the surrounding parking lots and public transport stops along Strobelallee, guided by iconic yellow pylons that punctuate the skyline of the Ruhr metropolis. In designing the BVB FanWelt, we again employed a human-centered approach. Positioned parallel to Strobelallee, the building has a dynamic form. Its generously glazed long sides as well as the stadium-facing entrance showcase the black and yellow branded interiors. Clad in dark metal panels, the roof curves down to envelop the two levels, forming the west-facing facade toward the park. This visually separates the structure from the underlying parking deck. On the street side, the circular BVB logo serves as the focal point of the sweeping curve. This curve is echoed within, where it forms a scene reminiscent of the southern grandstand, complete with stadium seats and a photo wall. The upper floor cantilevers over the length of the facade, creating a sheltered forecourt area that extends toward the stadium. A recess on the south side creates space for the café terrace, offering panoramic views of the soccer pitch.

Immersive experience

In the design of the interiors at BVB FanWelt, we prioritized maximum transparency, consolidating all ancillary rooms (restrooms, meeting rooms, stairs, and elevators) to the south side. Two-story voids anchor either end, while a yellow escalator transports visitors upstairs, paralleled by a semi-spiral open steel staircase marking the midpoint of the building’s southern curve. Wood and dark steel along with exposed infrastructure imbue the space with an industrial character, while moveable fixtures enable flexible event programming for fan community gatherings. Key dates, numbers, and legendary personalities celebrating Borussia Dortmund’s history have been playfully integrated throughout the space, embodying the soccer club’s “Real Love” motto that resonates deeply with its fans. We trust that fans will embrace their new home with the same affection they hold for their beloved club.

Project team