What Dusseldorfer EG does

Düsseldorfer EG (DEG), legally DEG Eishockey GmbH, is a professional ice hockey club headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, founded on November 8, 1935. The club fields a professional team that competes in the DEL2 (second-tier German ice hockey league) for the 2025/26 season following relegation from the DEL, and plays home games at the PSD BANK DOME in Düsseldorf's Rath district. It is one of the most decorated clubs in German ice hockey history with eight German Championship titles (1967, 1972, 1975, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996) and a German Cup victory in 2006. The organization is privately held by four shareholders (Stephan Hoberg, Harald Wirtz, Daniel Völkel, and DEG Eishockey e.V.) and operates with a small team (11–50 employees) under co-Managing Directors Richard Amann and Andreas Niederberger, who were appointed as part of a complete organizational rebuild in summer 2025.

DEG's business model is built on event-driven, in-arena revenue across four primary streams: (i) ticket sales (single-game, season tickets/Dauerkarten with a 30% discount plus free VRR transit benefits, and group bookings via the Schulen/Vereine program); (ii) corporate partnerships structured in tiers — Basis Partner, Premium Partner, and the Löwenclub membership program (Gold at €9,900/year and Silver at €6,800/year, annual billing) — sold by a dedicated sponsorship team; (iii) merchandise sold through a physical Fanshop at the PSD BANK DOME and an online shop; and (iv) the DEG Club 1935 annual fan membership running May–April. Pricing is publicly disclosed and tiered. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, supported by an owned media stack (website, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube/DEG TV, LinkedIn, Facebook, DEG Fanradio, DEG Magazin, email) and a partnership-driven B2B channel targeting local Düsseldorf and Rhine-Ruhr businesses.

The club's customer base is split between individual ice hockey fans (local Düsseldorf residents, regional supporters, families, schools, and amateur clubs) and corporate partners spanning banking (PSD Bank Rhein-Ruhr), defense/industrial (Rheinmetall), utilities (Stadtwerke Düsseldorf), public transit (Rheinbahn), gaming (Merkur/Gauselmann), logistics tech (TIMOCOM), sports media (D.Sports), and hockey equipment (CCM Hockey). Strategic partnerships extend to a player-development cooperation with Kölner Haie and community programs with Kinderschutzbund Düsseldorf and the Frauenberatungsstelle. Operationally, DEG is currently executing a full rebuild after 2024/25 relegation, with new coaching staff (Headcoach Rich Chernomaz), new performance leadership (Dr. Johan Merbah), and a renewed commercial pipeline targeting 2026/27 and beyond.

Name

Dusseldorfer EG

Legal name

DEG Eishockey GmbH

Website

https://deg-eishockey.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Düsseldorfer EG (DEG Eishockey GmbH) is a Düsseldorf-based professional ice hockey club founded in 1935, eight-time German champion, currently competing in DEL2. It serves individual fans through ticketing and memberships and corporate partners through tiered sponsorship and Löwenclub B2B programs at the PSD BANK DOME.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Ice Hockey Club Operations

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ice Rinks & Winter Sports Facilities (MPAKAEAG)

Keywords

• Professional ice hockey
• Game ticketing
• Sports merchandise
• Corporate hospitality
• Youth hockey development

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single-game tickets, season tickets (Dauerkarten), and group bookings for schools and clubs. Season ticket holders receive a 30% discount compared to single-game purchasers and additional benefits including free VRR public transit.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship: Multi-tiered partnership programs including Basis Partner, Premium Partner, and Löwenclub membership (Gold/Silver packages). Partners receive visibility through logo placement, ticket packages, hospitality access, and marketing activations.
3. Merchandise & Fan Shop: Sales of officially licensed merchandise including jerseys, apparel, and fan articles through the online shop and physical Fanshop located at the PSD BANK DOME.
4. Membership (DEG Club 1935): Annual fan membership program offering benefits such as ticket discounts, merchandise discounts, and exclusive access to events. Membership runs from May 1 to April 30 annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Düsseldorfer EG operates a professional ice hockey club competing in Germany's DEL2 league, hosting home games at PSD BANK DOME. The club sells matchday tickets (season and single-game), official merchandise through online and physical retail, premium VIP and Löwenclub hospitality packages for corporate clients, fan membership (DEG Club 1935), youth hockey development, and produces club media content (DEG TV, Fan Radio, Magazine).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dauerkarten (Season Tickets) Annual season ticket packages for all DEG regular-season home games, providing a 30% discount versus individual match ticket pricing, a free friend card for one game, priority playoff seating, exclusive prize draws, and complimentary VRR 2nd-class public transit within the Düsseldorf transit network for season ticket holders.
• Einzeltickets (Single Game Tickets) Individual match tickets for single DEG home games, sold via the online ticketshop, the PSD BANK DOME box office, and print-at-home options. Some designated 'Leuchtturm-Events' carry discounted special-event pricing.
• VIP & Logen (VIP Boxes) Premium hospitality seating and box experiences at PSD BANK DOME for corporate clients and high-end spectators, including premium seating, catering, and exclusive access.
• DEG Merchandising Onlineshop Online store selling officially licensed DEG-branded merchandise including jerseys, apparel, accessories, and fan articles, operated by a third-party retail partner under official licensing from the club.
• Fanshop PSD BANK DOME Physical retail store located at the PSD BANK DOME arena selling official DEG merchandise including jerseys, apparel, and fan articles, operating on game days and during standard arena hours.
• DEG Club 1935 (Fan Membership) Annual fan membership program running from May 1 to April 30, offering members ticket discounts, merchandise discounts, exclusive access to events, and benefits including partner discounts such as at L'Osteria fan restaurant.
• DEG Löwenclub (Business Partnership Program) Premium business partnership program offered in two tiers — Gold (EUR 9,900 annually, gross incl. VAT, including 2 Business-Club season tickets and playoff access) and Silver (EUR 6,800 annually, gross incl. VAT, with 34 tickets on demand excluding playoffs) — providing ticket packages, hospitality access, and B2B networking opportunities.
• Basis Partner Program Entry-level corporate sponsorship program offering website visibility and advertising benefits targeted at smaller local businesses seeking association with the DEG brand.
• Nachwuchs (Youth Hockey Development) Youth hockey development programs and junior team operations providing talent development pathways for young players, including cooperation arrangements that loan players from partners such as Kölner Haie for development licensing.
• Kids Club Children's fan club program providing young supporters with special activities, events, and engagement opportunities with the club.
• Schulen/Vereine Program (School & Club Group Tickets) Group ticket packages for schools and amateur sports clubs with discounted pricing, providing organized access to DEG home games for youth and community groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Season ticket holders receive 30% discount compared to single-game pricing plus additional benefits (free transit, friend cards, playoff priority)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, premium, standard and minor.

• BundelingcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 June 2026Digital communication and community platform partner. Bundeling provides a branded app for partner and sponsor communication, event management, and networking. Over 1,300 organizations worldwide use Bundeling. The partnership enables efficient B2B communication within the DEG partner ecosystem.
• Kölner HaiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Player development cooperation between DEG and Kölner Haie. In the 2025/26 season, three Kölner Haie players (Kevin Niedenz, Marco Münzenberger, Sten Fischer) played for DEG with development licenses, accumulating 59 appearances. The partnership allows young players to gain ice time while both clubs benefit from the arrangement.
• Getränke WeidlichmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2026One of the largest beverage wholesale companies in Düsseldorf, the Ruhr area, and Osnabrück. Already supplies the PSD BANK DOME and Merkur Spiel-Arena. New partnership includes VIP area presence and branding opportunities at DEG games.
• L'OsteriamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2026Italian restaurant chain with three Düsseldorf locations, including one directly on Theodorstraße near the PSD BANK DOME. Official fan restaurant partner with exclusive member discounts for DEG Club 1935 members. Provides pre and post-game dining for fans.
• TIMOCOMpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerLogistics and digital platform company. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• Stadtwerke Düsseldorf (SWD)premiumGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal municipal utility company. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• RheinmetallpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerDefense and industrial technology company based in Düsseldorf. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• RheinbahnpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic transit authority for Düsseldorf and surrounding region. Premium partner with logo displayed. Provides free transit for season ticket holders (VRR 2nd class).
• PSD Bank Rhein-RuhrpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerStadium naming rights holder. The home arena is officially named PSD BANK DOME. Long-term sponsorship commitment.
• CCM HockeypremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey equipment manufacturer and sponsor. Logo displayed on the website.
• Völkel Threading SolutionsstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturing/industrial company. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• D.SportsstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerSports media company. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• Merkur (Gauselmann Group)premiumGTM or Marketing PartnerGaming and entertainment company. Active in social engagement projects with the club. Logo displayed on website.
• ADELTA.FINANZ AGstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services company. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• Effecten SpiegelstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial/media company. Logo displayed as sponsor on the website.
• DEG Club 1935coreOthersOfficial fan club organization for supporters and benefactors of the eight-time German ice hockey champion. Provides member benefits including ticket discounts, merchandise offers, and exclusive events. The club dates back to the founding year 1935.
• Kinderschutzbund DüsseldorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild welfare organization. DEG supports through donations, stadium collections, and visibility campaigns. Long-standing social partnership.
• Frauenberatungsstelle DüsseldorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's counseling center. DEG supports the 'Luisa ist hier!' safety campaign, providing safe spaces and assistance for visitors who feel threatened or unsafe at games.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eisbären Berlin: Multiple-time German champion and one of the most successful ice hockey clubs in Germany. Comparable to DEG as a top-tier professional ice hockey franchise competing in the DEL with similar ticketing, sponsorship, and merchandising models.
• ERC Ingolstadt: DEL ice hockey club from Ingolstadt, comparable in club size, regional sponsorship orientation, and arena capacity profile. Models similar B2B partnership-driven economics to DEG.
• Kölner Haie: Historic German ice hockey club and current DEL opponent of DEG. Direct peer in elite German hockey, and active cooperation partner via player development loans, making it the closest comparable franchise and strategic counterpart.
• Straubing Tigers: DEL ice hockey franchise operating in a mid-sized Bavarian city. Closely comparable to DEG in scale, regional-revenue focus, and ticketing/partnership-led monetization with limited national footprint.
• Löwen Frankfurt: Frankfurt-based DEL ice hockey club. Directly comparable as a German professional ice hockey franchise with similar corporate partnership and membership models; also the prior employer of DEG's new Performance Director Dr. Johan Merbah.
• Nürnberg Ice Tigers: Long-established DEL ice hockey club from the Nuremberg metro. Comparable to DEG as a historic German franchise with 12,000+ arena capacity, traditional sponsorship-heavy revenue mix, and a strong regional identity.
• Iserlohn Roosters: German ice hockey club competing between DEL and DEL2 over recent seasons, closely comparable to DEG's current second-tier position and operating scale. Relevant peer for understanding DEL2 economics.
• Augsburger Panther: DEL ice hockey club from Augsburg. Comparable franchise model with regional sponsorship dependence and arena-based revenue; similar mid-tier DEL positioning to where DEG operated historically.
• Adler Mannheim: Historic DEL club and long-time German ice hockey powerhouse. Comparable to DEG in championship pedigree, arena-driven revenue model, and large regional fan base built around corporate partnership ecosystems.
• Krefeld Pinguine: Traditional NRW-based ice hockey club currently in DEL2, directly comparable geographic and competitive peer to DEG post-relegation. Provides clearest like-for-like benchmarking for German second-tier ice hockey operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DuesseldorferEG
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf1VgVDH_OEIpzeHVOB1BUA
• Facebookfacebook.com/DEG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deg-eishockey-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/duesseldorfereg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dusseldorfer EG