AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V.

What AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V. does

AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V. is a registered amateur American football club (eingetragener Verein / e.V.) founded in 1991 and officially registered on January 11, 1992, in Paderborn, Germany. The organization operates seven teams across all age groups — senior men's (Herren), U20, U16, U13, U10, Flag Football, and the Cheerleader Dolphinets squad — competing in the German Football League (GFL) and Regionalliga West systems. The club leverages a partnership with the Sportinternat Paderborn, a boarding school operated by Forum Paderborner Spitzensport gGmbH, to develop elite youth talent combining education, sport, and personal development; five Dolphins players are currently enrolled among the program's 45 athletes. Home games are played at Hermann-Löns-Stadion in Paderborn's Schloß Neuhaus district, a 4,000+ capacity venue with a covered main grandstand.

The club's technology stack is built entirely on standard third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: Shopify for merchandise e-commerce, Vivenu for ticketing, Google Maps for venue directions, and Facebook/Instagram/YouTube plugins for community engagement. No proprietary software, AI systems, or technical IP are disclosed.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: tiered corporate sponsorship packages (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Business Partner) targeting local Paderborn and Ostwestfalen businesses; ticket sales via Vivenu (season tickets priced €65-85 for eight home games); merchandise through a Shopify storefront; and annual membership fees. In-kind medical partnerships (dental, physiotherapy, orthopedic) reduce operating costs but are not monetized. The club is governed by a volunteer board — President David Schmidtmann, Vice Presidents Jens Langrehr and Lars Kühne — and, as a registered e.V., is not investable through conventional equity instruments.

Name

AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V.

Legal name

AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V.

Website

https://paderborn-dolphins.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V. is a registered amateur American football club in Paderborn, Germany, founded 1992. Operating seven teams from U10 youth through senior men's plus Flag Football and Cheerleading, the club competes in the German Football League and Regionalliga West while developing talent through Sportinternat Paderborn.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur American Football Club

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKACAE

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

SECONDARYCRAMAOAF

Team & League Branded Merchandise Retail (Non-Apparel)

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Sports Collectibles, Fan Gear & Licensed Merchandise Retail

Keywords

• American football club
• Youth football development
• Sports club membership
• Football league competition
• Sports event ticketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Paderborn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Partnerships: The club generates revenue through tiered sponsorship packages (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Business Partner) that provide sponsors with logo placement on the website, at home games, and in social media channels.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single-game tickets and season tickets (Dauerkarten) sold through the vivvenu platform. Season tickets are offered at reduced early-access prices and regular prices.
3. Merchandise Sales: The club operates an official Shopify-based online store selling Dolphins merchandise and gear.
4. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees are collected from club members. The 2026 membership fee documentation is available for download on the club's media page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V. is an amateur American football club (registered association under German law) operating seven teams — Herren, U20, U16, U13, U10, Flag Football, and Cheerleader Dolphinets — that compete in the German Football League (GFL/Regionalliga West) and youth leagues. It sells tickets to home games at Hermann-Löns-Stadion, membership subscriptions, branded merchandise through an online Fanshop, and corporate sponsorship packages to regional businesses. Supporting services include an elite-athlete Sportinternat Paderborn boarding program and a Medical Partner network for player welfare.

Product overview

AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V. is an American football club based in Paderborn, Germany, operating as a multi-team organization with a comprehensive youth-to-senior development pathway. The club's core products include seven football teams across age groups (Herren, U20, U16, U13, U10, Flag Football) plus the Cheerleader Dolphinets squad. Supporting services include the Sportinternat Paderborn boarding school program, Hermann-Löns-Stadion gameday experiences, Shopify-based Fanshop merchandise, Vivenu ticketing, corporate sponsorship packages, Medical Partner network, and the Fins Club membership program. The unified offering integrates competitive football operations, youth development, venue management, and community engagement into a cohesive club structure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dolphinets: Cheerleading team of the Paderborn Dolphins
• Fins Club

Products and services

• Herren (Senior Men's Team) The senior men's American football team competing at the highest level of the club in the German Football League (GFL/GFL2) and Regionalliga West, coached by Head Coach Jason Irmscher.
• U20 (Juniors) Team The under-20 junior team competing in the GFL Juniors (Youth Bundesliga) Nord group, providing a pathway for young athletes to develop into senior-level players.
• U16 Youth Team Under-16 youth team providing structured American football training and adolescent competition.
• U13 Youth Team Under-13 youth team competing in 9er Tackle format in the NRW-Liga, developing fundamental football skills for younger players.
• U10 Youth Team Under-10 youth team preparing young players for 5er-Tackle competition, focusing on foundational football skills and team values.
• Flag Football Team Flag football team for players aged 16 and older, competing in 5v5 format without body contact, playing in the Oberliga and training on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Cheerleader Dolphinets The official cheerleading squad of the Paderborn Dolphins, providing entertainment and team spirit at home games and events.
• Sportinternat Paderborn (Sports Boarding School) A joint initiative of nine elite sports clubs in Paderborn, operated by Forum Paderborner Spitzensport gGmbH; currently houses 45 young talents aged 14+ across various sports, with five Paderborn Dolphins talents currently accommodated in the program.
• Hermann-Löns-Stadion Gameday Experience Home stadium venue experience at Hermann-Löns-Stadion with 4,000+ capacity and covered main grandstand; gameday services include catering, official Fanshop merchandise, cheerleading entertainment, and live moderation for family-friendly themed events.
• Dolphins Fanshop (Official Merchandise Store) Official online merchandise store selling Dolphins-branded apparel and gear, operated through the Shopify e-commerce platform.
• Gameday Ticketing (Season and Single-Game) Digital ticketing for home games and events via Vivenu, including 2026 season tickets (Dauerkarten) covering 8 home games (2 preparation matches plus 6 regular-season games) at 65 EUR early-access or 80–85 EUR regular, plus single-game tickets at Hermann-Löns-Stadion.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Tiered corporate sponsorship packages (Platin, Gold, Silber, Bronze, Business Partner) offering logo placement on website, social media, and at stadium events in exchange for financial support.
• Medical Partner Program Network of medical partners — Dental Aesthetics (DA-MVZ), Pro-Physio Schloss Neuhaus, and Orthopaedicum Paderborn — providing comprehensive dental, physiotherapy, and orthopedic care for athletes.
• Club Membership (Annual Dues) Annual membership of the eingetragener Verein with downloadable application forms and a published 2026 membership fee schedule for formal supporters and stakeholders.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LobbecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor providing main game day sponsorship. The LobBE Gameday is a branded event featuring their logo and support.
• Rosenthal-RustemeiercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor from the real estate/property sector in Paderborn.
• LVM VersicherungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor (insurance company) through their agency representation.
• effect ENERGY (MBG Group)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSix-year partnership with this brand, a leading brand and distribution company for energy drinks. One of the longest-running sponsor relationships.
• MTS BodenmarkierungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor specializing in floor marking services.
• Haus-ITminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor providing IT services and support.
• Kraemer (Kraemer24.com)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor from the automotive/equipment retail sector.
• Ganic WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater brand sponsor through Novado distribution.
• Jolmes GruppecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term partner from Paderborn providing building cleaning, crafts, energy, and personnel services. Multi-year partnership renewal announced in 2026.
• Frey NutritionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNutrition and supplements sponsor for the team.
• Thiele Werbung GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner providing advertising technology, outdoor advertising, and vehicle wrapping services. Over 40 years in business with wrap-MASTER premium division.
• LiftkontorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner with 4 locations in Germany supporting Dolphins Herren and Dolphins Jugend with lifting equipment/hoists.
• Senne CleanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCleaning services business partner.
• ReMaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor - real estate franchise.
• Stadtwerke PaderbornminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor - local public utility company.
• REWE Markt (Driburger Str.)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor - local supermarket chain.
• Spieker MetallbauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for the Flag Football team, providing metal construction services.
• Dental Aesthetics (DA-MVZ)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDental partner providing dental care services to players. Multi-year partnership continued in 2026 with Dr. Claudius-Horatius Moldovan and team.
• Pro Physio Schloss NeuhauscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPhysiotherapy partner providing rehabilitation and physical therapy services for players.
• Orthopaedicum PaderborncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical partner providing orthopedic care and treatment for athletes.
• Forum Paderborner Spitzensport gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperator of Sportinternat Paderborn, a joint initiative of nine elite sports clubs in Paderborn. The club leverages this boarding school to develop youth talent combining education, sport, and personal development. Currently houses 45 young elite athletes.
• ERIMAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial equipment and apparel partner for the German Football League (GFL).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hamburg Pioneers: GFL club that played Paderborn in the 2025 relegation match. Comparable as a top-tier German American football club with full youth program and professionalized operations.
• Cologne Crocodiles: GFL club currently competing against PBD in the 2026 RegioWest season. Directly comparable as a fellow German American football club with similar tier structure and league participation.
• Münster Phoenix: Currently leading RegioWest 2026 and directly competing against the Dolphins in the same league. Comparable as a German American football club of similar scale with regional fan base and sponsorship structure.
• Berlin Adler: Historic GFL club that defeated Paderborn in the 1997 promotion playoff. Directly comparable as a long-established German American football club with competitive history at the top level.
• New Yorker Lions Braunschweig: One of the most successful GFL clubs in Germany, multiple-time German champion. Direct competitor in German American football with comparable club-based structure, youth development, and sponsorship model.
• Dresden Monarchs: GFL club that played the Dolphins in the 2025 White-Out-Game. Operates a similar club-based structure with men's and youth teams competing in the top German American football leagues.
• Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns: Top-tier GFL club with a strong youth academy and multiple German championships. Directly comparable as a structured German American football club competing at the highest national level with a focus on player development.

Broad incumbents

• Frankfurt Galaxy (ELF/GFL): High-profile German American football organization operating in the European League of Football and historically in the GFL. Comparable as a top-flight American football brand in Germany, though at a substantially larger scale than the Dolphins.

Others

• ERIMA: Official equipment and apparel partner of the German Football League and Paderborn Dolphins' supplier. Comparable as the GFL's official outfitter and a key ecosystem partner for all German American football clubs.

Regional players

• Bielefeld Bulldogs: American football club based in nearby Bielefeld, playing in the same RegioWest league. Directly comparable as a regional NRW-based amateur American football club with similar structure and scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afc-paderborn-dolphins-e.v.

Compliance1 record

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 AFC Paderborn Dolphins e.V.