FC Schalke 04 is increasing the public offering of its new corporate bond to up to 75 million euros.
Strong interest in FC Schalke 04’s new corporate bond: Due to very strong demand, the club is increasing the public offering of the 2025/2030 bond (ISIN: DE000A460AT6 / WKN: A460AT) from up to 50 to up to 75 million euros.
The Luxembourg Financial Market Authority (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, CSSF) approved the corresponding prospectus supplement for the increase in the issuance volume of the 2025/2030 bond on Tuesday (November 11), and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) was notified.
“We are pleased with the strong demand we’ve seen over the past few days. Our primary goal was to fully redeem the 2021/2026 bond; beyond that, our focus was on at least partially refinancing the 2022/2027 bond,” explains Christina Rühl-Hamers, member of the Executive Board and responsible for finance. “Given the volume subscribed to so far, it is realistic to exceed the volume of up to 50 million euros originally specified in the securities prospectus. The fact that we are likely to exceed both targets provides Schalke 04 with a strong strategic option.”
The increase to up to 75 million euros in the public offering enables the club, depending on the final subscription volume, to offer a higher allocation and exchange ratio to all interested investors. Interest from professional investors is also significantly exceeding expectations. According to the prospectus, bonds may be offered outside the prospectus to so-called qualified investors—or, in short, institutional investors. The private placement is not part of the public offering and can further increase the issuance volume beyond the public offering of 75 million euros. The strong interest from professional investors underscores the high level of trust and credibility that Schalke 04 enjoys on its path to financial stabilization.
“Ultimately, this potential offers the opportunity to restructure the financing framework in key areas,” explains Rühl-Hamers, “thereby significantly increasing our freedom of action and allowing us to pursue our overall course even more consistently.”
The use of the proceeds has already been determined and is set forth accordingly in the securities prospectus. The proceeds from the 2025/2030 bond will be used to: refinance the 2021/2026 bond with a remaining principal amount of 15.9 million euros, refinance the 2022/2027 bond, which has a remaining principal of 34.1 million euros; and repay other financial liabilities—particularly senior secured ones—depending on the final volume achieved after the end of the subscription period.
“One message is very important to us: We will, of course, continue on our consistent course of reducing the financial burden of liabilities over the long term. Our debt will not increase permanently as a result of the new bond. This is exclusively about repaying existing liabilities. In this way, we gain financial planning security and new freedom of action in our decisions over the long term,” explains Rühl-Hamers. The costs—such as interest and guarantee fees—remain roughly at the same level for the existing financing, the new corporate bond, and when viewed as a whole.
Subscriptions for the 2025/2030 bond are still open until November 18, 2025, via the club’s website at s04.de/anleihe2025. The bond carries a fixed annual interest rate of 6.50%, matures on November 26, 2030, and includes a Bundesliga bonus—a one-time bonus payment of 1.50%—should the “Königsblauen” be promoted through and including the 2029/2030 season. The issuance is taking place under the motto “Shaping the Future—for Schalke’s Opportunities.”
Face value of 1,000.00 euros each
The 2025/2030 bond is being issued at a face value of 1,000.00 euros each. Holders of the 2021/2026 and 2022/2027 bonds will receive a voluntary exchange offer so they can benefit from the higher interest rate of the new bond. FC Schalke 04 notes that, in the event of an exchange, the information may be provided by the custodian financial institution via mail and/or electronically (email or digital mailboxes). If this has not yet occurred, it is recommended that you actively contact the relevant institution. The securities prospectus for the new 2025/2030 corporate bond, as well as the approved prospectus supplement, are available for download at s04.de/anleihe2025.
