1. FC Köln

Founding and Early Years

1. FC Köln was founded on 13 February 1948, from the merger of Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07. A founding member of the Bundesliga, they won the league's very first title in the inaugural 1963-64 season.

Club Evolution

Nicknamed "Die Geißböcke" (The Billy Goats), after the club's live mascot tradition, a goat named Hennes paraded at matches since the 1950s, the club wear red and white. They play at the RheinEnergieStadion, formerly the Müngersdorfer Stadion.

Great Managers

Georg Knöpfle led Köln to the Bundesliga's inaugural title in 1963-64. Hennes Weisweiler, who arrived after his successes at Borussia Mönchengladbach, delivered the league-and-cup double in 1977-78.

Iconic Players

Wolfgang Overath, the playmaker of the 1960s-70s and a 1974 World Cup winner, remains the club's ultimate legend. Hans Schäfer, a forward of the 1950s-60s, and Toni Schumacher, the iconic goalkeeper of the 1970s-80s, are among Köln's other great names.

Major Achievements

1. FC Köln have won two Bundesliga titles (1963-64, 1977-78), one title before its creation (1962), and four DFB-Pokal titles (1968, 1977, 1978, 1983), having also reached the 1986 UEFA Cup final, lost to Real Madrid.

The Club Today

Led by René Wagner and chaired by Jörn Stobbe, 1. FC Köln, promoted as second-division champions in 2024-25, finished 14th in the Bundesliga in their first season back in 2025-26, true to their historic reputation as a "yo-yo club."