Football is more than just a game: it gives rise to countless stories about society, politics, art and identity. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in exploring these cultural dimensions of football on a scholarly basis and making them accessible to a wide audience, the University of Wuppertal is awarding Manuel Neukirchner an honorary doctorate.

Neukirchner studied General Literary Studies, Modern German Literary History and History at the University of Wuppertal. Following a career as a print and radio journalist, he worked for the German Football Association (DFB) and, as founding director from 2009 to 2015, was responsible for establishing the German Football Museum in Dortmund, which he has headed since its opening in 2015.

Under his leadership, the museum has developed into a venue that not only presents football in the context of sporting history but also explores it as a social and cultural phenomenon: through highly acclaimed exhibitions, publications and interdisciplinary projects, Neukirchner combines historical research, literature, art and public education.

He has also made a name for himself as an author. His documentary football drama*Die Nacht von Sevilla* (TheNight ofSeville) reconstructs the legendary 1982 World Cup semi-final between Germany and France using documentary sources. Actor Peter Lohmeyer will read from the work during the ceremony.

“The honorary doctorate recognises Neukirchner’s outstanding contributions to the cultural history of football and his role in bringing perspectives from the humanities and cultural studies to the wider public,” said Dr Matías Martínez, Professor of Modern German Literary History at the University of Wuppertal and the initiator of the award.