FC Schalke 04 is still very popular with its supporters. Now a fan world record even beckons.
FC Schalke 04 could set a world record in the coming season. To do so, however, it needs the support of its spectators.
The devotion of S04 fans to their club remains unbroken even after relegation to the 2nd division. It is true that about 1500 supporters returned their season tickets for the new season. But these were literally snatched out of the hands of the Königsblauen. Within a very short time, it was “no more” and season ticket sales were stopped at 40,000 tickets, as in the previous year.
Added to this is the insane one-day ticket sales. All 50,000 tickets currently available for the eight home games in the first half of the season were sold within two hours. This means that for the first half of the season, excluding hospitality and VIP areas as well as guest fans, the Knappen already have an average of more than 46,000 spectators for the 62,271-seat arena.
If the visiting clubs do not use their allotment of 6,000 tickets, which is not to be expected for the first opponents, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, but is the case for other opponents, at least some of these tickets will also go on sale.
Previous record holder is Hamburger SV
If the boom continues in the second half of the season, which of course also depends on the results, Schalke would have a good chance of securing a world record in the coming second division season.
Because never before has a football club playing in its country’s second-highest division had a spectator average of more than 53,470. Schalke could crack that. This record was set last season by Hamburger SV. However, the Volksparkstadion only has a capacity of 57,000 fans. Incidentally, this mark put HSV in 16th place in Europe in the spectator table last season. Schalke came tenth with 61,133 fans.
The possible record could be disputed by fellow relegated team Hertha BSC. The “Alte Dame” welcomed an average of 53,652 fans in the relegation season. However, the capital city has a clear location advantage with the Olympiastadion. It has a capacity of 74,475 seats.