1. FC Union Berlin

Union Berlin
Full name1. Fußballclub Union Berlin e. V.
Nickname(s)Die Eisernen (The Iron Ones)[1]
Founded20 January 1966; 58 years ago (1966-01-20)
(preceded by FC Olympia Oberschöneweide, founded 1906)
GroundStadion An der Alten Försterei
Capacity22,012[2]
PresidentDirk Zingler[3]
Head coachBo Svensson
LeagueBundesliga
2023–24Bundesliga, 15th of 18
Websitefc-union-berlin.de
Current season

1. Fußballclub Union Berlin e. V., commonly known as Union Berlin (pronounced [ˈeːɐ̯stɐ ʔɛfˈt͡seː ʔuˈni̯oːn bɛʁˈliːn] ⓘ), is a professional German football club based in Köpenick, Berlin.

The club's origins can be traced to 1906, when its predecessor FC Olympia Oberschöneweide was founded. During the Cold War, Union was based in East Berlin, joining the German league structure upon the reunification of the city and country in 1990.[4] From 2009 until 2019, they competed in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of German football. In 2019, Union won promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history. In 2021, Union finished seventh in the league to qualify to the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. In 2022, the club qualified for the UEFA Europa League by finishing fifth. The following season, the club qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history, by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga.

The home ground of the club is the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. It is the second-largest in the German capital and has been home to Union Berlin and its forerunners since it opened in 1920.[5] The stadium also hosts concerts and the annual Weihnachtssingen Christmas carols event.[6]

As of October 2024, Union Berlin has 67,638 official members.[7] The club has become well known for its enthusiastic and creative fan base and its chant "Eisern Union" (Iron Union).[8][9]

  1. ^ Freiberg, Robert (2 February 2024). "Union Berlin - VfL Wolfsburg Vorschau: Bleibt FCU gegen Wölfe zu Hause ungeschlagen?" [Union Berlin - VfL Wolfsburg Preview: Will FCU remain unbeaten at home against Wolves?]. Eiserne-Unioner.de (in German). Eisener Unioner. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  2. ^ "1. FC Union Berlin". Bundesliga.com (in German). Bundesliga. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Executive Committee". FC-Union-Berlin.de. 1. FC Union Berlin. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  4. ^ Ames, Nick (17 August 2019). "'Things are quite special here': Union Berlin prepare for the Bundesliga". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  5. ^ Stadium at the Old Forester's House. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  6. ^ Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Football Tripper. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  7. ^ [1] Archived 3 October 2024 at the Wayback Machine, Kicker.de. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  8. ^ Bundesliga and beyond – Union Berlin. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  9. ^ Inside Union Berlin's miracle. Retrieved 19 October 2022.