Potsdam Royals fight against structural problems to defend their title!

Potsdam Royals fight against structural problems to defend their title!

On Saturday the Potsdam Royals start the GFL playoffs with the ambitious goal of defending their third title in a row. Despite an impressive record of 39 wins in their last 40 games, the Royals are under pressure as the quarterfinal against the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns will be played in a location already known for its structural problems: the Potsdam airship port. There are just 400 covered seats here, which is clearly not enough for a large number of fans. Given these circumstances, the club is seriously considering a move if the city does not create the necessary conditions as quickly as possible. Eberhard von Lobenstein, a board member, makes it clear that the GFL places higher demands on financial and personnel conditions that cannot be ignored. This situation remains tense, as the current economic situation in Potsdam makes the search for new sponsors even more difficult, as rbb24 reports.

On top of that, the Royals are facing another difficult situation: the usage agreement for the stadium has not yet been signed. As a result, they cannot sell season or individual tickets for their first home game. Jens Torsten Müller, President of the Potsdam Royals, has made it clear that they appear to have been forgotten when planning the stadium. The circular track in the airship port that was originally intended for home games is still unfinished, and current construction sites not only make access difficult for the expected 3,000 fans, but also affect the entire organization of visitor flows. The impassable tartan track and the relocated children's play area and catering area to an adjacent parking lot do not make the situation any easier. Müller expresses his concerns about possible loss of income and the potential damage to the club's image, while promises of a new stand seem a long way off. City officials are criticized for their poor communication and planning. According to [potsdamroyals.de](https://www.potsdamroyals.de/news/dramatische- Fehlschlage-im-sportbereich-der-landeshauptstadt-potsdam/), the Royals are facing a serious crisis, 14 days before the start of the season.

Challenges in the stadium and plan B

The situation around the stadium is anything but rosy. The number of seats is far too few, and covered seats are in short supply anyway. For a stadium that should hold 2,000 to 4,000 spectators, the reality is frightening. Access to toilets is also inadequate as they can only be reached outside the stadium. The Karl Liebknecht Stadium, which could serve as a possible alternative, remains closed, further complicating the situation for the Royals. Those responsible at SV Babelsberg 03 also refuse to use it, which makes planning even more difficult. A move is still “Plan X” and not the desired Plan B, but time is of the essence. Discussions are ongoing with city committees to clarify the situation and hopefully find long-term solutions.

At least when it comes to the media, the Royals are encountering positive developments: The GFL and Sports Illustrated Germany have launched a strategic media cooperation. This could potentially help increase the club's visibility and reach and therefore attract new sponsors. This understanding could also help bring the challenges facing the Royals to a broader platform, as described on gfl.info. But until concrete solutions are implemented, it will be exciting to see how the Royals will do in the playoff game and whether the necessary support will come from the city.