Dynamo Dresden Crack Down on Stadium Vloggers

German football club Dynamo Dresden has issued a stern reminder to content creators and influencers that recording inside its Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion for public distribution is strictly prohibited, citing the need to protect the media rights of the club and its television partners.

The 2. Bundesliga side, crowned champions of the former East Germany on eight occasions, re-emphasised its stance in a statement released on Wednesday, making clear that the practice of filming the matchday experience with the intention of sharing content on social networks or video platforms would not be tolerated without "express prior permission" from the club.

The club was blunt about the financial implications of unauthorised content creation. "If content is monetized, the respective creators primarily benefit, while our club receives nothing," the statement read, underlining that the possession of recording equipment with the intent of in-stadium filming would only be permitted with explicit club approval.

Special Guidance for Ultra Section

Dresden also singled out the K-block of the stadium — home to the club's ultras, the hardcore supporters renowned for choreographing massive stadium visual displays and rhythmic chanting — urging those fans to continue using recording devices such as smartphones "sensitively and responsibly."

The nuance reflects a balancing act: the club recognises that ultras have long used phones to document their tifo displays and choreographies, but wants to ensure that such recording does not extend to monetised vlogging that infringes on broadcast rights or makes fellow supporters uncomfortable.

"Mutual Respect" in the Stands

Dynamo Dresden, whose first home game of the new campaign is against Darmstadt on Sunday, framed the policy as a matter of fan comfort and collective enjoyment.

"We want to contribute to ensuring that all visitors feel comfortable in the stadium and can experience the game together," the club said. "Many fans wish to enjoy their stadium experience without constant cameras or recordings in their immediate vicinity. Consideration and mutual respect are therefore essential prerequisites for a positive atmosphere in the stands."

Not the First Club to Push Back

Dynamo Dresden are not alone in their stance. Hansa Rostock, who compete in Germany's third tier (3. Liga), issued a similar warning in December, noting that vlogging had "increased significantly" and would no longer be tolerated by security staff at the DKB-Arena.

Rostock drew a clear line between personal memories and commercial content, stating that any recording intended to "go beyond private memories" and end up on monetised platforms was unacceptable. The club signed off its statement with a blunt instruction: "Leave your cameras in your backpack."

The growing trend of matchday vlogging — where influencers film their journey to and experience inside stadiums for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram — has become an increasingly visible presence at football grounds across Europe. While clubs have generally tolerated casual smartphone use, the rise of professionalised, monetised content shot from the stands has begun to test the boundaries of stadium regulations and broadcast rights agreements.

With Dynamo Dresden now joining Hansa Rostock in publicly drawing a line, it remains to be whether other German clubs — and indeed clubs across Europe — will follow suit as the tension between fan-generated content and commercial rights continues to grow.