Together for Black & Yellow: the fan club new year's reception 2026 | OneFootball

“Who wants another one?” Niko Kovac asks the Black & Yellow fans, while he reaches under the bar. His movements at the tap are routine-like. “It has to be really foamy,” says the BVB coach, adjusting the glass with a well-trained eye. The foam rises perfectly to the rim – and that’s no coincident. “I used to work in a pub.” For a moment, Kovac isn't the head coach, but a publican – right in the thick of things and completely approachable.

“We are entering a crucial phase of the season – with three important home games against Mainz, Bergamo and Bayern Munich in the coming days and weeks. It is precisely in moments like these that the importance of our fan clubs becomes clear,” said Carsten Cramer, spokesperson for the Borussia Dortmund management. “This New Year’s reception for the fan clubs demonstrates that the team can count on the full support of the fans during this time. The atmosphere that our supporters create in Dortmund can make all the difference in the upcoming matches.”

The supporting programme included a large Black & Yellow line-up: players from Borussia Dortmund's current first team were present, as well as the players from the BVB women's team, representatives from the handball department, and BVB legends such as Günter Kutowski, Giovanni Federico and Siggi Held. Mascot EMMA added to the atmosphere, tirelessly mingling with the guests.

Numerous other departments of BVB and its communities also presented themselves at the event with several with information stands: the BORUSSEUM offered insights into the club's history, the BVB fan and support department demonstrated its work, the Diocese of Paderborn provided updates on the plans for the BVB founders' church at Borsigplatz, and the “leuchte auf” foundation demonstrated its social commitment. The Dortmund Fan Project (registered association) was also present, reporting on its programmes, including the North City League and the BVB Learning Center.

The evening's hosts were Nobby Dickel and Danny Fritz, who jointly guided the audience through the program. Guests were treated to a diverse program: a large raffle with attractive prizes, an extended autograph session, and sporting challenges between fans and players – whether at the ping-pong table, Kicker, darts, or on the video game console. A traditional part of the evening was pouring Brinkhoff's beer together behind the bar. This year, the task fell to Niko Kovac, women's coach Marcus Högner, and professional players Jobe Bellingham, Alex Meyer, Marcel Sabitzer, Patrick Drewes, and Julian Ryerson.

For Niko Kovac, it was already his second Black & Yellow fan club reception. “We feel the support of our fans at every game. That’s why it's truly special to meet these people in person, to talk to them and hear their stories. You can tell how much heart and passion each and every one of them has. That gives us an incredible amount of energy for what lies ahead in the sporting arena.”

BVB captain Emre Can also enjoyed the New Year's reception: “Of course, we have a lot to do on an evening like this and are on duty the whole time, but that's exactly what makes it special – we do it with all our hearts. Being so close to the fans here, talking to them, taking photos and feeling their enthusiasm, shows us what tremendous support we have as a team. That means a lot to us.”

With the momentum of this evening, the focus now shifts to the future. The upcoming home games against Mainz, Atalanta, and Bayern Munich will be pivotal for the Black & Yellows in the coming weeks. The fact that the team, management, and fans were united so strongly at the fan club's New Year's reception should be the starting point of a successful and decisive phase of the season – a spirit supported by the 1400 Borussia Dortmund fans who gathered in Dortmund on Tuesday, representing the entire BVB family.