FC Schalke 04 stages charity match in Bromskirchen, showcases iconic fan culture

On 19 July 2026, FC Schalke 04 traveled to the small town of Bromskirchen for a charity friendly match. The team, led by 1990 World Cup winner Olaf Thon, defeated the local side 15‑1 in front of roughly 500 spectators. The event featured club legends and the mascot Erwin, and all ticket revenue was pledged to the youth program of TSV Bromskirchen.

Schalke’s fan base is among the largest worldwide, with about 210,000 members and a network of fan clubs that extends across Germany and into the Netherlands, Switzerland and overseas. The club’s supporters are deeply tied to the Ruhr‑region’s industrial heritage, maintaining strong local identity and international friendships with clubs such as 1. FC Nürnberg, FC Twente Enschede and FK Vardar Skopje.