The City of Jena and the Police Provide Information on the Thuringia Derby

During the first preliminary meeting of security officials held yesterday, Friday, regarding the upcoming derby between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, it was decided that reducing the away ticket allocation to 800 people is not currently deemed necessary. This means that approximately 1,400 Erfurt fans are expected to be able to watch the game in person at the Jena stadium.

The city’s regulatory notice for the 2026–2027 season in the Northeast Regional League provides the legal framework for FC Carl Zeiss Jena to host its home games. It explicitly provides for the possibility of spectator limits—in accordance with the DFB’s guidelines for improving safety at soccer matches—as one of several measures for matches involving an increased (security) risk.

In contrast to the assessment made in May of this year regarding the last Thuringian derby between the two rival traditional clubs and their opposing fan bases—which was based on the sporting situation at that time—the licensing authority of the City of Jena, the Jena State Police Inspectorate, the fire department, the Federal Police, FC Carl Zeiss Jena, and the stadium operator currently have no information that, after proper consideration and in accordance with their official discretion, would make such a security measure appear necessary for the upcoming derby.

For the home section of the South Stand, the capacity remains at 800 seats, as stipulated in the security plan and the notice of conditions. Notwithstanding the change in the sporting situation since May, the match between FC Carl Zeiss Jena and FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt continues to be unquestionably classified as a match with an elevated security risk due to the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs and their hostile fan bases.

The city’s notice of conditions expressly allows for the flexible implementation of case-by-case measures to reduce security risks within the framework of a joint risk assessment conducted by all parties responsible for upcoming matches.

The public order and licensing authority, as well as the Jena Fire Department—including the emergency medical services—the Thuringia Police, the Federal Police, the private security service provider, and, of course, the club itself will continuously monitor and assess the security situation together leading up to match day and, naturally, on match day as well, and will take or adjust any necessary measures, in order to ensure, as comprehensively as possible, the safety of all spectators, those involved professionally and in sports, and, of course, the residents of Jena in connection with the match.

Furthermore, the City of Jena has not currently received any notification of a gathering or demonstration by Erfurt fans in connection with the Thuringian derby. The same applies to the local fans of FC Carl Zeiss Jena.

At the next security meeting to be held this coming Monday, those in charge will discuss further details and make fundamental preparations for the match day from a security perspective.