1. FC Kaiserslautern is considering opening the “fan column”, but is not opening it. At the same time, the FCK announced a membership record and the extension of a talent’s contract.
The members of the second division soccer team 1. FC Kaiserslautern once again discussed the possible opening of a so-called “fan column” at the four-hour annual general meeting on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) in the Fritz Walter Stadium. “The idea has not disappeared, but we are now at a different point in the club’s history than when it was spun off. We took a close look at the fan column in a specially formed committee and got a comprehensive picture,” said Kaiserslautern board member Thorsten Lill.
FCK still has almost four million euros liabilities
As the FCK announced during the meeting, the registered association is still plagued by almost four million euros in liabilities after the corporation’s insolvency proceedings in 2020. These must be repaid by 2028 at the latest.
That is why the current FCK managers have developed three theoretical scenarios for opening, which Lill presented in detail. The instrument of the “fan column” was presented by those responsible at the time in 2018 as part of the spin-off of the professional department into a corporation.
No money for the “fan column” in Kaiserslautern
This was intended to enable members to participate in the then newly founded company in the medium term. To date, the “fan column” has not yet been opened for various reasons – and according to Lill, that will not happen any time soon.
“Opening the fan column is currently not possible for economic reasons. We would have to go into pre-financing and we don’t have the money. We also have uncertainty as to who would actually buy the shares,” said Lill.
FCK has more members than ever before
However, CEO Gero Scira had something positive to report: The traditional Palatinate club currently has 39,100 members – a record.
FCK managing director Thomas Hengen also caused applause among the members present with some sporting news: Hengen announced the long-term contract extension of the 16-year-old young talent Dion Hofmeister.
Broadcast on Wed, December 10, 2025, 7:30 p.m., SWR Aktuell Rhineland-Palatinate, SWR RLP
Broadcast on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 4:35 a.m., SWR Aktuell Rhineland-Palatinate, SWR
