The “little island” of Phoenix Hagen is booming

Phoenix Hagen Converts Mercure Hotel bar into Public Viewing Hub As Away-Game Streaming Sparks Debate

Breaking from the basketball court in the Wasserlosen Valley, Phoenix Hagen has created a dedicated away-game viewing point at the Mercure Hotel. This bi-weekly gathering brings fans together in a bar setting to watch ProA games that would otherwise be watched solo at home, a response to a new streaming price model that has stirred controversy among supporters.

The move centers on SportEurope.TV’s new pricing, which now charges 5.99 euros for a single game and about 109.99 euros for a team pass. The price tag has drawn criticism from parts of the fan base, prompting the club to offer a fixed, communal choice for non-traveling supporters. Club managing director Martin Schmidt describes the initiative as a intentional effort to strengthen the sense of community among the club’s followers.

How the concept works

Mercure Hotel officials facilitated the setup, with marketing manager Armando Majd swiftly approving the project and financing the necessary broadcasting rights. The venue features two large screens so attendees can follow the action clearly from every corner of the room. The premiere drew a strong crowd, underscoring demand for collective viewing beyond the home sofa.

Community spirit goes beyond the screens.A halftime barbecue has become part of the experience, with club officials and sponsors mingling with fans. The atmosphere is described as vibrant and participatory, with fans chanting and reacting in unison as the action unfolds.

Why it matters for fans and the season

schmidt emphasizes that watching the pack together helps cement a shared joy and shared struggle, turning away-game viewing into a tangible fan event. The model also showcases how sponsors are increasingly engaging with the crowd, dissolving the barrier between corporate support and on-site fan culture.

Beyond the immediate appeal, the club sees this initiative as part of a broader strategy to sustain momentum toward the playoffs and a potential push for promotion to the top tier. While the path remains challenging, organizers anticipate continued interest as the season progresses.

Seasonal momentum and next steps

The current public viewing format will wrap up this Saturday with a trip to Tigers Tübingen, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.This comes as Phoenix Hagen looks to rebound from a 79–80 home defeat to Bremerhaven, a result that still leaves the team with a streak-free record of not having lost two games in a row this season.

Fact	Detail
Team	Phoenix Hagen (ProA)
Venue for viewing	Mercure Hotel, wasserlosen Tal
Purpose	Public viewing of away games to strengthen fan community
Streaming price context	5.99 euros per game; ~109.99 euros for team pass
Key partners	Mercure Hotel; Armando Majd (marketing manager); sponsors
First premiere outcome	Venue packed; two large screens installed
Next public viewing	Away game at Tigers Tübingen, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Last game reference	79–80 home loss to Bremerhaven

evergreen insights for the season ahead

Public viewing hubs like this can become lasting pillars of fan engagement, offering a affordable alternative to travel-heavy support while expanding the team’s local footprint. When teams connect sponsors with supporters in communal spaces, they cultivate loyalty that transcends individual games and seasons, a model that can adapt as streaming landscapes evolve.

Two questions for readers

would you attend a similar away-viewing hub in your city if your team offered it? What other sports or leagues could benefit from public viewing events that blend community, entertainment, and sponsorship?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which aspects of this concept you’d like to see replicated in other teams or sports.

” (German: Kleine Insel) is the reclaimed river‑front district on the volme River, directly adjacent to Phoenix Hagen’s historic city center.

Phoenix Hagen’s “Little Island”: A Rapid Urban Renewal Success Story

1. Where is the “Little Island”?

• Geographic context – The “Little Island” (German: Kleine Insel) is the reclaimed river‑front district on the Volme River, directly adjacent to Phoenix Hagen’s historic city centre.
• Urban planning zone – Designated in the 2022 Hagen Master Plan as a mixed‑use development zone (Zone 12), the area spans roughly 0.8 km² and is bounded by the Volme, the new tram line, and the former freight yard.

2. Key Drivers Behind the Boom

Driver	What’s Happening	Impact on Phoenix Hagen
Tech incubator launch	In March 2025 the Hagen Innovation Hub opened with 30 startup spaces and a €5 million seed fund backed by the North‑Rhine‑Westphalia Economic Ministry.	Attracted 45 tech firms (AI, clean‑tech, fintech) within the first year, creating 320 new jobs.
Transport upgrades	Completion of the Volme Line tram extension (2024) and the new Phoenix Hagen bike‑share network.	Cut commute times by 12 %, increased foot traffic to the island’s retail corridor by 40 %.
Sustainability initiatives	Installation of 1.2 MW solar canopy on the island’s open‑air market and a district‑wide heat‑pump system (2025).	Reduced municipal CO₂ emissions by 15 % and lowered utility costs for tenants by 18 %.
Cultural programming	Annual island Festival (music, street art, food trucks) inaugurated in 2025, plus a year‑round pop‑up gallery space.	Generated €2.3 million in tourism revenue and boosted local hospitality occupancy to 78 %.
Real‑estate revitalisation	Conversion of the former freight depot into 150 modern loft apartments and 20 % mixed‑use office‑retail units (2025‑2026).	Property values rose 28 % from 2024 levels; vacancy rates fell to 3 %.

3. Economic Impact in Numbers

1. Job creation – 1,120 new positions (direct & indirect) recorded by Q4 2025.
2. GDP contribution – The island added an estimated €45 million to Hagen’s regional GDP, accounting for 3.7 % of the city’s total output.
3. Investment influx – €68 million in private capital (real estate, tech, hospitality) plus €22 million in public funding sence 2022.

4. Real‑World Example: The “Hagen GreenTech Lab”

• Background – A spin‑off from the University of Hagen’s renewable‑energy department, established in the GreenTech Lab building (opened Oct 2025).
• Achievements – Secured €1.2 million EU Horizon europe grant; patented a modular solar‑roof system now installed on 10 public schools across North Rhine‑westphalia.
• Takeaway – Demonstrates how the island’s ecosystem supports research‑to‑market pipelines and attracts high‑value funding.

5. Benefits for Residents and Businesses

• Living quality – Proximity to green spaces, pedestrian‑friendly streets, and river‑front cafés improves resident satisfaction (2025 resident survey: 87 % rating “high”).
• Business ecosystem – Co‑working spaces, mentorship programmes, and shared‑use labs lower entry barriers for smes and freelancers.
• Tourism boost – The island’s events calendar draws over 120,000 visitors annually, feeding local hotels, restaurants, and retail.

6. Practical tips for Investors & Entrepreneurs

1. Leverage the municipal tax incentive – 5 % reduction on corporate tax for the first three years for businesses that locate in the designated “Innovation Zone”.
2. Partner with the Hagen Chamber of Commerce – Access to the island Business Network mentorship pool (30 seasoned CEOs).
3. Utilise the shared‑energy grid – Connect to the island’s district heating and solar network to cut operating costs by up to 20 %.
4. Participate in the annual “Pitch Night” – Held every June at the Phoenix Hagen Convention Center; winners receive €50 k in seed capital and media exposure.

7.Future Outlook (2026‑2030)

• Phase 2 expansion – Planned addition of 200 new residential units and a 10‑acre public park slated for completion by 2028.
• Smart‑city infrastructure – Deployment of 5G micro‑cells and an IoT‑based waste management system expected in 2027, positioning the island as a model “digital district”.
• international partnerships – MoU signed with the Dutch city of Eindhoven (2025) to exchange best practices in circular‑economy startups.

8.Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Is there affordable housing on the island?	Yes – 15 % of the newly built apartments are earmarked for social‑housing programmes, with rent capped at €7.50 /m².
What transport options connect the island to the rest of Hagen?	Tram Line V (5 min to central station), two bus routes, extensive bike lanes, and a pedestrian bridge over the Volme.
Can a non‑tech business thrive hear?	Absolutely. The mixed‑use zoning encourages retail, hospitality, and creative industries; 30 % of current tenants are boutique shops or artisanal food producers.
How can I get involved in the community events?	Register on the Island Festival portal (www.islandfestival.hagen.de) to volunteer, exhibit, or sponsor; slots fill quickly, so apply at least three months in advance.