Borussia Dortmund expand global footprint with "World Street Series" initiative

Borussia Dortmund expand global footprint with "World Street Series" initiative

Building on recent outreach efforts such as the launch of the Spanish-language platform @ElDortmund and collaborative events in New York, Borussia Dortmund are now taking the next step in their partnership with Street Soccer USA. Together, they will host the “Street Soccer USA LA Cup” in Los Angeles later this month.

On April 18, 2026, L.A. Live will be transformed into a temporary street football venue, with a full-day event running from 8:00 to 22:00 local time. More than 300 participants aged 10 to 14, alongside adult and corporate teams, are expected to take part in small-sided matches on specially constructed pitches. A dedicated youth tournament presented by Dortmund will also form part of the programme.

Former BVB defender Patrick Owomoyela is set to represent the club on-site, engaging with fans and supporting participants throughout the day.

The initiative goes beyond sporting competition. Organised by Street Soccer USA, whose mission centres on combating poverty and strengthening communities through football, the LA Cup aims to combine European club identity with urban football culture and social impact. The event is free to attend, reinforcing its inclusive approach.

Marc Lingenhoff, Managing Director of BVB Americas Inc., emphasised the broader vision behind the project:

“Creating opportunities for children to play in environments like this is a core pillar of our partnership with Street Soccer USA. L.A. Live becomes more than just an iconic venue - it becomes a stage where young people can see themselves as part of the global game.”

Dortmund fans show their support before their Club World Cup clash with Fluminense in New Jersey (Photo: BVB Americas).

The Club World Cup eye-opener

The initiative is also part of Dortmund’s wider strategy to deepen engagement with Hispanic supporters. Lingenhoff had previously acknowledged in an exclusive interview with Bulinews.com back in March that the club needed to improve its connection with this audience, identifying last summer’s Club World Cup as a turning point in that reassessment.

“The tournament once again highlighted the level of interest from Hispanic communities in the United States, Mexico and beyond,” Lingenhoff told Bulinews.com.

Early indicators suggest progress: the @ElDortmund platform has already attracted a six-figure following, although the club views the project as an evolving process aimed at authentically reflecting diverse football cultures within a shared language space.

Looking ahead, Dortmund are also positioning themselves strategically for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Rather than operating in isolation, the club intends to collaborate with the German Football Association (DFB) and the Bundesliga to promote German football collectively during the tournament.

“Our perspective is not to try to break through the noise of the World Cup as an individual club,” Lingenhoff explained. “We tell the story through the lens of our players, but we also want to join forces with the German national team and the Bundesliga to help represent German football during the tournament.”

The long-term objective is clear: to convert growing international interest into lasting support.

“If German football is successful, it gets more eyeballs from new fans. We want to be there so that when they look at Germany after the tournament, we are their club of choice,” the BVB boss concluded.