Dortmund's sponsorship with arms maker ends in 2027

Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund will not extend its sponsorship deal with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, which has drawn strong criticism from fans. The club announced that the contract, which expires on June 30, 2027, will not be renewed by mutual agreement of the parties.

The agreement with the Düsseldorf-based company was signed in May 2024 for three years and was the focus of debate from the start. Reactions to Rheinmetall advertisements on the pitch-side boards during matches went so far that some fans withdrew their support for the club.

Chief Executive Officer Carsten Cramer said that the ongoing criticism from fans and club members was decisive in the decision. Cramer recalled that at the annual general meeting in November 2024, members voted that the agreement should not be extended beyond 2027.

Cramer said that with the end of the sponsorship, the club will lose the income it has earned from this agreement from summer 2027 onward. German press reported that the deal was worth 9 million euros per year. Cramer said planned investments will be reprioritized and feasible solutions must be carefully examined.

Meanwhile, it was noted that Rheinmetall, founded in 1889, was one of Germany's largest arms manufacturers in both world wars and made use of forced laborers during World War II.