Jena city responds to court ruling on FC Carl Zeiss Jena matches

The Administrative Court of Gera has issued a ruling regarding the requirements for FC Carl Zeiss Jena home matches during the 2026/2027 season. For high-risk matches, the court determined that capacity reductions for standing areas must adhere to the association's limit of 90 percent of the permitted capacity, an increase from the previous threshold of approximately 80 percent.

The City of Jena stated it will fully implement the court's procedural and reasoning requirements and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis. Beyond the capacity limits, the ruling provides legal clarity regarding the placement of the active fan scene within the stadium. While a 2018 compromise allowed the active home fans to occupy the south stand, the court found that there is no legally binding contract or guarantee ensuring the fans' right to a specific block. The court ruled that occupying a specific stadium block does not constitute a legally protected position that overrides general administrative freedom, provided that relocating the fan scene is done to reduce danger based on individual assessments.