Search
Login
Please log in with your user data.
Registered Cooperative Society: Shares for everyone who is a part of us
Shaping the future of our club independently and positively – that is the goal of the Registered Cooperative Society at Schalke. During an extended, intensive process, the club's leadership engaged in strategic discussions on how the Royal Blues can proactively address the changing challenges within the world of football and make the club fit for our objectives. The result of this is the founding of the Registered Cooperative Society at Schalke. As part of the overall process, there was also an exchange with members of the Schalke family on these very questions.
What is the fundamental idea?
FC Schalke 04 continues to be burdened by significant liabilities, which limit the club’s ability to act. In 2023 alone, €16 million had to be spent on interest and repayments. This is money that first has to be earned and is missing in other areas. This means that in order to shape the future, legacy debts must be reduced step by step. The Registered Cooperative Society at Schalke is intended to support and accelerate this process.
Why a Registered Cooperative Society?
Together with all of the club’s members, S04 wants to actively work on breaking the shackles of the past and strengthen our club’s competitiveness in the long term, meaning we are collectively working towards our Schalke of tomorrow. The Registered Cooperative Society provides the perfect framework for this, as it aligns with S04 and its values: tackling a challenge together, independently, and courageously, namely strengthening the sustainability of our club without becoming dependent on an external financial backer.
How does it work in practice?
The purpose of the Registered Cooperative Society is to strengthen FC Schalke 04. It operates independently of the structures of our registered club (e.V.). With the combined strength of all cooperative members, the club aims to be freed from financial legacy burdens and positioned for an independent future. The first project involves the VELTINS-Arena. In short: by issuing cooperative shares, the Registered Cooperative Society raises capital, which will then be used to purchase stadium shares. The e.V. will use the funds generated to reduce its legacy debts. This immediately reduces costs, specifically interest and repayments, and gives the club more room to manoeuvre.
The great part is that the stadium will remain in Schalke’s hands in the future. It is important to emphasise that this project is just the beginning, ideally the start of a series of further ideas and benefits. Information on this will be communicated after the ordinary general meeting of FC Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e.V., which will take place on 16th November 2024 at the VELTINS-Arena.
Who can become a member of the Registered Cooperative Society?
All of the nearly 190,000 members of FC Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e.V. will be eligible to become part of the Registered Cooperative Society – only they can purchase shares. Regardless of the number of shares, each member has one vote – this is the core principle of solidarity in the cooperative idea.
Non-members can find all information about club membership HERE.
Companies, as so-called legal entities, can also purchase shares and have one vote as well.
When can I buy shares and become a member?
The exact date for when shares can be purchased will be announced at a later date. Details on how Schalke members can join the Registered Cooperative Society will be provided at the ordinary general meeting of FC Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e.V.
What is a Registered Cooperative Society?
A Registered Cooperative Society is an association of individuals (both natural and legal persons) who engage economically to support a common interest. It is based on the principles of self-help, self-responsibility and self-governance. Each member has one vote, regardless of the size of their shareholding.
The cooperative idea is founded on the notion of collectively achieving economic, social, or cultural goals that would be more difficult to accomplish individually.
The aim is to strengthen the needs and interests of the members by enabling them to benefit from working together.
