Roger Hampel
Photo Credit: 1. FC Union Berlin
1. FC Union Berlin has successfully completed the latest capital increase for its stadium holding company, "An der Alten Försterei" Stadionbetriebs AG, securing more than €30 million in capital and expanding its shareholder base to over 10,000 stakeholders. The development represents a significant milestone in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, the club’s historic home.
Following the official entry of the capital increase into the commercial register, Stadion AG is now positioned with a strong equity structure to finance future projects aimed at enhancing the stadium's infrastructure for the next generations of Union supporters.
Club Leadership on the Expansion Union Berlin Stadium
Union Berlin President and Chairman of the Stadionbetriebs AG Supervisory Board, Dirk Zingler, emphasized the significance of this step in the club's stadium development strategy:
"We have taken a very important step towards our goal of preparing the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for the next generations. Thanks to a very robust balance sheet and equity structure, the stadium AG is well equipped for the future. I am delighted that so many Union fans have chosen to take this route and personally invest in their stadium. We will continue to pursue this path and push ahead with plans for the new Alte Försterei."
Share Subscription and Ownership Structure
The capital increase process was structured in two phases:
• From November 26, 2024, existing shareholders had the opportunity to exercise their subscription rights.
• Between December 10, 2024, and February 5, 2025, members, sponsors, and partners of 1. FC Union Berlin were invited to become shareholders in the stadium.
During this process, approximately 49,000 new shares were applied for. The club itself subscribed to 40,000 shares, reinforcing its majority ownership stake, which had already included 6,847 shares. Meanwhile, 900 existing shareholders subscribed to around 1,500 additional shares. A significant development was the participation of 5,900 new shareholders, who together subscribed to 7,900 shares, demonstrating their direct investment and commitment to the stadium's future.
Updated Shareholder Distribution
After the capital increase, the ownership structure of Stadionbetriebs AG is expected to shift as follows:
• 1. FC Union Berlin e.V.: 75.75%
• Free float shareholders (existing and new): 24.25%
This reconfiguration solidifies Union Berlin's control over the stadium while increasing engagement from a broader shareholder base.
Next Steps for Stadion An der Alten Försterei
The next phase of this capital expansion includes:
• Official registration of new shares in the commercial register.
• Updating the shareholder structure to reflect the exact final distribution.
• Issuing the newly subscribed shares to shareholders.
This financial reinforcement will enable continued development projects at Stadion An der Alten Försterei, ensuring it remains one of Germany’s most fan-centric football venues while preparing for the club’s long-term ambitions.
With a growing fan-driven shareholder model, Union Berlin continues to demonstrate its commitment to community ownership and stadium self-sufficiency, reinforcing the club’s philosophy of sustainable and supporter-led growth.
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