Women's sports games, initially organised by DFB, receive criticism due to their less welcoming atmosphere for spectators.
The 2025-26 Frauen-Bundesliga season is set to kick off for 1. FC Union Berlin, with the team's first home game scheduled at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei against fellow promoted team 1. FC Nuernberg. However, the initial four games of the season have raised concerns among fans due to an unpredictable schedule that some find audience-unfriendly.
The schedule, published by the German Football Association (DFB), has the team playing on different days each week - Friday, Monday, Saturday, and Tuesday. This unpredictability might confuse fans and make it difficult for them to plan their schedules.
Moreover, the first game is technically an away match for Union Berlin, but it is played earlier than their official home opener, which could reduce the excitement of the first home game. In the first four matches, Union Berlin only plays one home game, limiting the opportunities for fans to support them live at home.
The effects on the fan base could be significant. Fans may struggle to keep up with the varying matchdays and times, potentially leading to reduced attendance. The lack of consecutive home games in the early part of the season might deter fans from building momentum and attending matches. Additionally, the unpredictable schedule could impact fan engagement and excitement, as fans might find it harder to plan and participate in matches.
The drive from the Stadion An der Alten Foersterei to the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in Jena, where the team must play on a Tuesday evening, takes about three hours by car. Many fans may once again turn to streaming services like Dazn and Magentasport due to evening kick-off times, which could be a challenge for families with children who have work or school the next day.
Despite these challenges, the captain of 1. FC Union Berlin, Lisa Heiseler, expressed excitement about the home game. The Iron Ladies' travel group to Leverkusen is likely to be very small, and the team will play away at Bayer 04 Leverkusen on September 15th, a Monday, at 6 PM. The game on September 7th has a kick-off time of 6:30 PM, which is less audience-friendly.
The second round of the Iron Ladies does not have a scheduling conflict with the men's team. The kick-off for the game against FC Carl Zeiss Jena is at 7 PM. The DFB is scheduled to handle the scheduling for the next matchdays for 1. FC Union Berlin.
As the new season begins, fans are encouraged to stay supportive and adaptable, hoping for a more fan-friendly schedule in the coming weeks.
- The irregular schedule of the 2025-26 Frauen-Bundesliga season, with its unpredictable matchdays, may cause challenges for fans to plan their attendance, potentially leading to reduced attendance and fan engagement.
- The mixed schedule of sports, science, health-and-wellness, and women's health events might not align with some fans' interests, as the upcoming football matches conflict with the already existing commitments.
- The significant travel distance and varying kick-off times, including on weekdays that might be a challenge for families, may prompt fans to resort to streaming platforms, affecting both the team's fan base size and overall support.
