Borussia Dortmund

Founding and Early Years

Borussia Dortmund was founded on 19 December 1909 at the "Zum Wildschütz" pub on Borsigplatz, by 18 young members of a Catholic parish youth group frustrated with restrictions placed on their football activities. The name "Borussia" (Latin for Prussia) came from a nearby brewery, with no political meaning.

Club Evolution

Originally wearing blue and white with a red sash, the club adopted black and yellow in 1913, earning its players the nickname "Die Schwarzgelben." The Westfalenstadion, opened in 1974 and renamed Signal Iduna Park in 2005, houses the legendary south terrace, the "Südtribüne," nicknamed the Yellow Wall, Europe's largest free-standing single-tier stand.

Great Managers

Ottmar Hitzfeld won two league titles (1994-95, 1995-96) then the 1996-97 Champions League. Jürgen Klopp (2008-2015) returned the club to the summit with a domestic double in 2011-12 and a Champions League final in 2013. Thomas Tuchel added the 2016-17 DFB-Pokal.

Iconic Players

Michael Zorc, a player then sporting director for decades, embodies loyalty to the club. Marco Reus, the iconic captain from 2012 to 2024, remains a central figure of BVB's modern era, while Matthias Sammer, the 1996 Ballon d'Or winner, left his mark on the club's history in the 1990s.

Major Achievements

Borussia Dortmund have won eight German league titles, five DFB-Pokal titles, one Champions League (1996-97), and one Cup Winners' Cup (1965-66), the first European title won by a German club.

The Club Today

Led by Niko Kovač and chaired by Hans-Joachim Watzke, the club's long-time historic executive elected club president in November 2025, Borussia Dortmund qualified for the 2026-27 Champions League, confirming their status as one of German football's great clubs.