Arminia Bielefeld

Arminia Bielefeld
Full nameDeutscher Sport-Club Arminia Bielefeld
Nickname(s)Die Arminen,[1] Die Blauen (The Blues)[2]
Founded3 May 1905; 119 years ago (1905-05-03) as 1. Bielefelder FC Arminia
GroundBielefelder Alm (SchücoArena),
Bielefeld
Capacity27,332[3]
PresidentRainer Schütte[4]
Head coachMichél Kniat
League3. Liga
2023–243. Liga, 14th of 20
WebsiteClub website
Current season

DSC Arminia Bielefeld (pronounced [ˌdeːʔɛsˈtseː ʔaʁˈmiːni̯a ˈbiːləfɛlt]; full name: Deutscher Sportclub Arminia Bielefeld e.V. [ˈdɔʏtʃɐ ˈʃpɔʁtklʊp ʔaʁˈmiːni̯a ˈbiːləfɛlt]; commonly known as Arminia Bielefeld (German pronunciation: [aʁˌmiːnia ˈbiːləfɛlt] ⓘ), also known as Die Arminen [diː ˈʔaʁmiːnən] or Die Blauen [diː ˈblaʊən]), or just Arminia (pronounced [aʁˌmiːnia] ⓘ), is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia is most well known as a professional football club, having participated in the first tier of German Football, the Bundesliga, for a total of 19 seasons. In addition to football, the club offers field hockey, figure skating, and cue sports departments. The club has over 15,000 members and the club colours are black, white and blue.[5] Arminia's name derives from the Cheruscan chieftain Arminius, who defeated a Roman army in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.

The club currently participates in the 3. Liga, the third tier of German Football. Arminia has earned a reputation as a Yo-yo club, or Fahrstuhlmannschaft in German, for its regular promotions and relegations. The club tied the record for most promotions to the Bundesliga in 2020 with their eighth promotion, a record they hold jointly with 1. FC Nürnberg.[6] In the 2010s, the club primarily participated in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier, with two relegations into the third tier. Notable successful periods for the club include the 1980s and 2000s; two separate eras when the club played for five consecutive years in the Bundesliga. In addition, the 1920s were successful for the club, during which two West German Championships were won in 1922 and 1923. Unsuccessful eras for the club include the 1950s and early 1990s, wherein the club participated in the regional third tier of German football for eight and seven consecutive seasons, respectively.[7][8]

Arminia has played their home games at the Bielefelder Alm Stadium since 1926. The stadium has been entirely rebuilt since the club first played there, with the last major renovations being completed in 2008.[9] The stadiums current capacity of 27,332 consists of space for 7,940 in terracing and 19,392 seats. Since 2004, the stadium has been named SchücoArena through a sponsorship deal.[10]

Arminia's fans primarily originate from the Eastern Westphalia and Lippe regions, or Ostwestfalen-Lippe region in German. As of 2020, the club had 241 active Supporters' groups. The first organized supporters group formed in 1974, influenced by similar groups in English Football. Organized support from such groups at home matches is provided by fans in the south stand of the stadium.[11]

  1. ^ "ARMINIA BIELEFELD PRESENTS THREE NEW SHIRTS FOR THE 2023-2024 SEASON". Macron. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  2. ^ Chaffer, Alex. "Five facts about Arminia Bielefeld". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Arminia Bielefeld - Stadion". Kicker. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  4. ^ "DER DSC". Arminia Bielefeld E.V. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Unser Verein". DER DSC. Arminia Bielefeld E.V. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Bundesliga club-by-club historical guide: Arminia Bielefeld". Bundesliga.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Alle Ligaplazierungen seit Gründung des Vereins". Blaue Daten (in German). Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Der DSC - Historie". Arminia Bielefeld (in German). Arminia Bielefeld E.V. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Neue Haupttribüne fertiggestellt". Neue Westfälische. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  10. ^ "SCHÜCOARENA". Arminia Bielefeld. Arminia Bielefeld E.V. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Fanclubs". Arminia Bielefeld. Arminia Bielefeld E.V. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.