St. Pauli Fans have successfully raised over €27 million ($29.1 million) to secure a majority stake in their home ground, Millerntor Stadium. This marks the first-ever fan cooperative in German soccer, showcasing the club’s strong community spirit.
Over 21,000 St. Pauli Fans Join the Cause
More than 21,000 people participated in the five-month-long fundraising campaign, which closed just before midnight. Fans could buy shares for €850 ($917) each, with €100 ($108) covering fees and contributions. The final hours saw a huge rush of people eager to become part-owners of the stadium.
Exciting Rewards for Supporters
Each share purchase also entered fans into a prize draw, offering rewards such as a dinner with team captain Jackson Irvine, VIP experiences, and signed jerseys. Among the new stakeholders is Bayern Munich legend Uli Hoeness, who previously helped St. Pauli by organizing a benefit match in 2003.
Club Sees Bright Financial Future
St. Pauli’s commercial director, Wilken Engelbracht, emphasized that this move would help the club clear its financial liabilities faster than expected. The cooperative’s board will now process remaining orders and finalize details before officially acquiring the majority stake. Final results will be presented in May, with the first general meeting scheduled for June.
Focus Now on Bundesliga Survival
Having been promoted last season, St. Pauli currently sits just three points above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining. Club president Oke Göttlich hopes this historic achievement will boost their efforts to secure Bundesliga survival.
