Hansa Rostock's management team has taken decisive action following an incident of fan vandalism during a recent away match at Alemannia Aachen. In the aftermath of this chaotic event, where Hansa supporters caused significant damage, the club is limiting the sale of tickets for upcoming away games. This measure will be felt immediately by fans at Rot-Weiss Essen's home game against Hansa Rostock on April 6, 2025, at 19:30.
As a result of the recent disturbing events, only 1,900 tickets will be available for away fans, and these will be exclusively standing room tickets. In a bid to control the situation, Block G2, which offers seating, will remain empty, creating a buffer zone that means around 600 fewer spectators will attend the match. This decision comes after Hansa's fans ravaged the guest area in Aachen, ripping out approximately 700 seats and severely damaging sanitary facilities, amounting to roughly 50,000 euros in damages.
During that match on March 16, 2025, Hansa's supporters were reported to have destroyed toilets and hurled seat shells into the pitch area. In response, the police have filed charges against the fans for property damage, and investigations are currently underway. Alemannia Aachen intends to recover repair costs from Hansa Rostock, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
“It simply disgusts me that we are dealing with issues like destroyed sanitary facilities on a weekly basis,” remarked Sebastian Eggert, chairman of Hansa's supervisory board, in a club statement. This sentiment illustrates the desperation felt by club officials who are under increasing pressure to curb such vandalism.
In a proactive response, Rot-Weiss Essen's board is also considering unconventional measures to mitigate potential future damage. Amid concerns that Hansa's fans could cause similar chaos during their upcoming visit, Essen's management is exploring the use of Dixi toilets at the stadium.
RWE board member Alexander Rang expressed that if damage, particularly in sanitary areas, becomes routine, it would make attending matches less attractive for everyone. “If such damages become standard, we must consider alternative ideas. For instance, using mobile toilets creates additional issues for all stadium visitors,” he stated, emphasizing the broader impact on the fan experience.
Past encounters between Hansa Rostock fans and opposing supporters have not been without incident. In October 2024, prior to a match against Rot-Weiss Essen, a special train carrying RWE fans was ambushed by about 200 Hansa hooligans, resulting in substantial damage that ran into six figures. The situation escalated to the point where federal authorities have conducted nationwide raids to investigate the involved parties, ensuring safety ahead of future matches.
“This must end now,” Eggert concluded strongly, urging not just the club's officials but also the fan scene to take responsibility for their actions and bring an end to this cycle of violence.
As a means to ensure order and accountability, Hansa Rostock has restricted ticket sales for away games exclusively to club members, permitting only one ticket per member. This policy change aims to limit access to the rowdy elements within their supporter base and will be enforced on a match-by-match basis, with a maximum advance sale period of three days.
In addition to its focus on immediate responses, the club's strategy appears to take a long-term view on fan behavior and interaction with opposing clubs. The board members recognize the need for fans to behave respectfully within stadiums and at away matches to prevent further repercussions.
With the upcoming match at Rot-Weiss Essen looming, all eyes will be on both the Hansa supporters and the club's measures to prevent further incidents. The safety of all fans remains a priority as Hansa Rostock and Rot-Weiss Essen prepare for this clash with more than just sporting implications.
