Struggling 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 have secured a notable financial boost after a supporters’ cooperative acquired a minority stake in the club’s Veltins-Arena stadium company, giving the historic German club both a capital injection and deeper fan involvement in its operations.
This move is expected to help Schalke stabilise their finances that have been poor in recent years following relegation and mounting liabilities.
The Auf Schalke eG cooperative, formed by club members, fans and local partners, has completed the purchase of approximately €7.5 million (£6.5 m) worth of stadium shares from Schalke’s operating company, granting it a co-ownership stake in the Veltins-Arena.
While the club retains strategic control, the transaction both injects fresh equity and strengthens the bond between supporters and the club’s infrastructure.
Schalke originally launched the cooperative venture with the intention of mobilising fan-based capital to help reduce debt and improve financial flexibility, a move inspired in part by similar models seen in German football, such as FC St. Pauli’s fan initiatives.
The share sale follows years of financial strain for Schalke, whose relegation from the Bundesliga in 2022-23 contributed to rising liabilities and a pressing need for balance sheet relief.
What the stake acquisition means for Schalke
Under the terms of the deal, the cooperative now owns a minority share in the Veltins-Arena’s operating company, the business responsible for managing Schalke’s home stadium.
While the proportion is limited, the move has practical and symbolic value: supporters now have a direct financial and participatory interest in the venue that has been Schalke’s fortress for decades.
Club board member Christina Ruhl-Hamers, who oversees finances, said the transaction will help reduce liabilities and rebuild financial leeway, giving Schalke greater “room for manoeuvre” as it works toward longer-term stability.
“The supporters’ cooperative makes it possible to inject fresh equity into the club. Thanks to this transaction, we can continue to reduce liabilities and, step by step, regain more room for manoeuvre in our decision-making,” Ruhl-Hamers said, according to The Stadium Business.
Proceeds from the sale are expected to support ongoing debt reduction efforts and compliance with DFL equity requirements imposed by German football’s governing body.
Part of the funding will also be used to buy back stadium shares previously held by municipal partners, meaning Schalke can incrementally increase its ownership and influence within the arena’s corporate structure.
The Veltins-Arena, one of Germany’s most recognised venues, remains central to the club’s identity and revenue generation strategies.
FGG Says
Schalke’s fan-funded stake sale is a refreshing example of grassroots involvement helping a club navigate modern financial pressures.
Rather than relying solely on external investors or costly credit, the cooperative puts supporters at the heart of strategic decision-making while delivering much-needed capital. This is a statement about identity, community and shared responsibility.