Union Berlin

The origin of FC Union Berlin can be traced back to 1906 when the club’s predecessor, FC Olympia Oberschöneweide, was founded. The club changed its name to SC Union 06 Oberschöneweide in 1910 and soon after it became quite successful, securing a number of local championships and even playing for a German championship in 1923.

Around this time, the club was nicknamed Schlosserjungs, which translates to “sons of workers.” This was due to the blue color of the teams uniforms, which closely resembled the uniforms of the iron workers in the Berlin industrial district of Oberschöneweide. This is when the famous phrase “Eisern Union” or Iron Union began to be used, and it is still used to this day. Since the beginning Union Berlin has been considered a working class club.

The Third Reich reorganized German football in 1933 and created a system of 16 tiers. Union Berlin managed to stay in the top flight of the Berlin region all but two seasons from 1933-1945. After the war, all organizations in Germany were discontinued, including organized sports like football leagues. A new system was put in place later that year, but Union Berlin was not able to make the top flight of the region until 1947, two years later.

In 1950, the club, now in Soviet-controlled East Berlin, performed very well and qualified to compete in the final rounds of the national playoff; however, due to high tensions from the Cold War, Soviet officials did not permit the club to travel to compete. Despite this, many players and coaches fled to the west to form Sport-Club Union 06 Berlin to compete in the national playoff.

From 1950 to 1966, the club went through a number of name changes before settling on todays name, 1. FC Union Berlin. In the 1970s and 80s the club performed well in the league and cup competitions, but they were still only competing in East German competitions.

The 90s were a tumultuous time for the club due to the reunification of Germany and the huge financial stress, which prevented them from gaining promotion to the German second division on two separate occasions during the decade. At times, the fans even launched blood drives to raise money for the club.

Many fans also used their support of Union as a way to push back against the East German state and the two big police-aligned East Berlin clubs, famously chanting “The wall must come down” before their team took free kicks. As one paper put it, “Not every Union fan is an enemy of the state, but every enemy of the state is a Union fan.”

During the 2000s the club began to yo-yo between divisions after being promoted to the second division, then falling to the fourth, before becoming a founding member of 3. Liga (tier 3). Union Berlin became the first East Berlin club and the sixth East German club to make it to the Bundesliga in 2019, where they have remained since, picking up several top 5 table finishes.

The club, true to its fan-first roots, marked the first Bundesliga game by encouraging fans to bring posters of their loved ones who died without a chance to see Union in the top tier.

After finishing fourth in last season’s Bundesliga, Union qualified for the Champions League in 23-24. They went out after getting only two draws and four losses, but hosting Real Madrid and Italian champions Napoli in a stadium built with your own hands must have truly been something.

2022–23 SEASON: 4th in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal quarterfinal

2023–24 SEASON: Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League Group Stage

Historically, Union Berlin has shared a rivalry with Berliner FC Dynamo, which goes back to the 1950s. BFC Dynamo had an incredible run of success in the late 70s and 80s, winning 10 consecutive league titles. Union Berlin was known as the working class club, while BFC Dynamo was associated with the upper-class, which only fueled this rivalry. Fights between supporters frequently occurred during these derby games, which grew more heated as BFC Dynamo won more titles. Following the reunification of Germany, Union Berlin began to gain success and move up the German football pyramid, while BFC Dynamo struggled to get above the 3rd tier, which ultimately led to this derby dying out.

During the modern Bundesliga era, Union Berlin’s most prominent rival has been Hertha Berlin. The rivalry really began to take shape in 2009 when the two clubs played a friendly in honor of Union Berlin’s stadium reopening following renovations. In 2010 the clubs met in competitive matches for the first time and some remarks were being made by each club fueling the rivalry further. In 2019 the two clubs met in the Bundesliga for the first time and their first match was temporarily suspended following a Union Berlin goal in the 87th minute, which led to fireworks being fired at Union supporters.

The Union Berlin women’s team was formed in 1969, making it the first women’s football team in Berlin. The club was combined with KWO Berlin’s women’s team in 1971. They currently compete in Regionalliga Nordost.

The club’s anthem was written in the 1990s by punk rocker Nina Hagen.

Union Berlin plays their home games at Stadion An der Alten Försterei (Stadium at the old forester’s house). In fact, walking through the forest to the stadium is a beloved game day tradition.

The stadium opened in 1920 after the club had to move from its previous stadium. After Union Berlin made the top flight in East German football in 1966, it was apparent that expansions were necessary. So in 1970s and again in the 80s the stadium was expanded to a new capacity of 22,500. In 2008 additional renovations were deemed necessary and due to a tight budget, thousands of Union Berlin supporters volunteered their time to create the largest football specific stadium in Berlin.

It is now 80% standing only and 100% fan-owned. Also, once a year, 20,000-plus gather on a non-game day to sing Christmas carols!

GETTING THERE: It’s about a 15-minute walk from the nearest train station. See the club’s website for more.

PUBS AND GRUB: We haven’t been there yet, but since it’s in Germany, it’s a safe bet that there wil be plenty of places around for a beer and a bratwurst.