Discover 40 fascinating facts about Borussia Dortmund, the legendary German football club. Unearth its storied history, iconic players, and unique traditions that make it a favorite among fans worldwide
Foundation and History
- Foundation Date: Founded on December 19, 1909
- Formed By: Created by a group of young men unhappy with the church-sponsored team
- Original Members: Included Franz and Paul Braun, Henry Cleve, and others
- First Name: Named after Borussia beer from the nearby Borussia brewery
- Early Uniform: Initially played in blue and white striped shirts with a red sash
- Iconic Colors: Adopted the black and yellow stripes in 1913
- Nazi Opposition: Some members executed for anti-Nazi pamphlets during the Third Reich
- Financial Struggles: Avoided bankruptcy in 1929 thanks to a generous local supporter
Stadium and Fans
- Stadium: Currently play at Signal Iduna Park, formerly Westfalenstadion
- Capacity: The stadium has a capacity of over 81,000 spectators
- Stadium History: Moved to Westfalenstadion in 1974
- Nickname: Known as “Die Borussen” (The Prussians), “Die Schwarzgelben” (The Black and Yellow), and “Der BVB”
Achievements and Records
- German Championships: 8 Bundesliga titles
- DFB-Pokal Wins: 4 DFB-Pokal victories
- European Success: 1 UEFA Champions League and 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
- Intercontinental Cup: Won in 1997 to become world club champions
- Top Appearances: Michael Zorc with 572 appearances
- Top Goalscorer: Alfred Preissler with 177 goals
- Bundesliga Record: Worst loss was a 12–0 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Champions League Record: Most goals in a match during an 8-4 win versus Legia Warsaw
Recent History and Management
- Current President: Reinhold Lunow
- CEO: Hans-Joachim Watzke
- Head Coach: Edin Terzić
- Recent League Position: 2nd in Bundesliga for the 2022-2023 season
- Youth Development: Known for nurturing young talent, including players like Youssoufa Moukoko
Prominent Players and Managers
- Historic Players: August Lenz, Manfred Burgsmüller, Michael Zorc, and others
- Recent Stars: Mario Götze, Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Youngest Bundesliga Player: Youssoufa Moukoko debuted at 16 years and 1 day old
- Youngest Champions League Player: Moukoko played at 16 years and 18 days old
- Influential Managers: Ottmar Hitzfeld led Dortmund to success in the 1990s
Financial and Administrative Aspects
- Stock Market: Dortmund was the only German football club publicly traded
- Sponsorship Deal: Stadium name changed to Signal Iduna Park due to an insurance company sponsorship
- Member Count: Over 189,000 members in 2023, making it one of the largest sports clubs
Unique Aspects and Culture
- Yellow Wall: Nickname for the passionate fan section at Signal Iduna Park
- Rivalry with Bayern: Intense competition known as “Der Klassiker”
- Club Logo: Features the “BvB” initials and the year of establishment, 1909
- Club Timeline: Significant dates include first Bundesliga season in 1963 and Champions League win in 1997
- Cultural Impact: Dortmund is known for its commitment to the local community and its passionate fan base
Youth Academy and Talent
- Youth Academy: Produced players like Lars Ricken, who scored in the 1997 Champions League final
- Commitment to Youth: Continues to promote young talent to the first team
