Media Visits bring global journalists to Germany to experience the Bundesliga
22 November 2022 – Since the start of the 2022-23 season, the DFL has once again been working with clubs and partners to deliver bespoke Media Visits for its network of global journalists.
Taking place over the course of a regular Bundesliga Matchday, journalists are presented with a range of opportunities to interview league and club senior executives, coaches and players as well as Bundesliga Legends. In addition, media attendees are able to go behind-the-scenes at the clubs to see first-hand how the teams, as well as their youth academies, operate. The highlight of each media visit is the opportunity to experience Football As Its Meant To Be, soaking up the Matchday atmosphere before watching and reporting on the match from the press tribune.
Sporting and cultural aspects
Over the course of the current season, media from the US, South America, China, India, South-East Asia and across Europe have been able to attend one of four Media Visits. Most recently, Japanese journalists were invited to Germany to watch Eintracht Frankfurt against Borussia Dortmund, as well as Schalke 04 versus SC Freiburg. The media spent the first two days learning more about Eintracht, particularly relevant due to the club’s participation in the “Bundesliga Japan Tour” in November. The journalists gained knowledge about the history of the team and its international approach, as well as the club’s technology subsidiary Eintracht Tech.
Media visitors from South East Asia and India visiting the Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach.1 / 3 Photo: DFL/Vera Loitzsch
Media visitors from Japan visiting the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.2 / 3 Photo: Neil Baynes
Media visitors from the US and Brazil visiting the training facilities at Borussia Dortmund.3 / 3 Photo: Neil Baynes
Each media visit is created with the journalists’ audience in mind, highlighting local stars that are lighting up the Bundesliga and inspiring the next generation. In the case of the Japan Media Visit, journalists were provided with press opportunities to interview Bundesliga Legends Yasuhiko Okudera and Makoto Hasebe, ahead of the weekend’s action. Furthermore, the DFL worked with the respective home clubs to create exclusive mixed zones for the Media Visit, so delegates could pose their questions to Daichi Kamada, as well as Ritsu Doan and Maya Yoshida after the match in Gelsenkirchen.
In addition to the footballing aspects of the visit, media representatives were also taken on a tour of the city and invited to a reception hosted by the Japanese Consulate, to complete a full programme which incorporated both sporting and cultural aspects.
Journalists and media have an important job in telling these stories in a way that is locally relevant.
Peer Naubert, Bundesliga International CMO
Bundesliga International CMO Peer Naubert said: “Millions of fans around the world follow the action of the Bundesliga each weekend, experiencing the best football culture in the world, keeping up to date with the latest transfers and team news, obsessing over the most up-to-date stats, and of course watching Matchdays and highlights to follow unique clubs, stars and local heroes.
Journalists and media have an important job in telling these stories in a way that is locally relevant, and these visits ensure that they are able to expertly convey the emotion, drama and excitement that the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 deliver throughout the season.”