FC Köln is a professional football club based in Cologne, Germany. The club was founded in 1948 through the merger of Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07. Over the decades, FC Köln has become one of Germany’s most recognized clubs, winning two German championships (in 1962 and 1964) and four DFB-Pokals (1968, 1977, 1978, 1983). The team has a long-standing presence in German football and is known for its passionate supporters.
The team plays its home matches at the RheinEnergieStadion, which holds approximately 50,000 spectators. The stadium is located near the Rhine River and is one of the iconic football venues in Germany. The club’s colors are red and white, and its nickname is “Die Geißböcke” (The Billy Goats), inspired by the team’s live mascot, Hennes, a goat that has been a symbol of the club since 1950.
FC Köln has a fierce rivalry with Borussia Mönchengladbach, with matches between the two clubs considered one of the most intense regional derbies in Germany. The club also maintains rivalries with other teams in the Rhine region, fostering a strong local football culture.
