The history of Eintracht Frankfurt

Key milestones in the club's history, in chronological order.

The key milestones at a glance.

Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
1899–1946

Roots, progress and persecution

  1. Victoria and Eintracht’s roots

    Frankfurter Fußball-Club Victoria is founded on March 8, 1899.

  2. The Eintracht name emerges

    Frankfurter Fußball-Verein merge with Frankfurter Turngemeinde von 1861 in May.

  3. First German championship final

    Eintracht reach their first German championship final, losing 2–0 to Bayern Munich in Nuremberg.

  4. Nazification and exclusion

    Under Nazi rule the club adopts the Führer principle and Jewish officials are forced from office.

1947–1969

Championship and the European stage

  1. First European Cup match

    Eintracht win their first European Cup match 4–1 away to Young Boys in Bern.

  2. First German club in a European Cup final

    Following a 6–1 first-leg victory, Eintracht also beat Rangers 6–3 away.

  3. The Glasgow final

    Eintracht lose 7–3 to Real Madrid at Hampden Park.

  4. A founding Bundesliga member

    One of the 16 founding members, Eintracht begin their Bundesliga history with a 1–1 draw against Kaiserslautern.

1970–1992

Cup triumphs and a missed championship

  1. Biggest Bundesliga victory

    The 9–1 win over Rot-Weiss Essen remains Eintracht’s biggest Bundesliga victory.

  2. Körbel’s 602nd Bundesliga appearance

    Karl-Heinz Körbel makes his final Bundesliga appearance in a 1–1 draw at St. Pauli.

  3. The title slips away in Rostock

    Eintracht begin the final matchday as leaders but lose 2–1 at F.C. Hansa Rostock.

1993–2016

Relegation, survival and promotion

  1. First Bundesliga relegation

    A 2–2 draw at Fortuna Düsseldorf mathematically confirms Eintracht’s first Bundesliga relegation.

  2. Return to the Bundesliga

    A 2–2 draw with Mainz clinches promotion with two matches remaining.

  3. The 5–1 survival miracle

    Eintracht Frankfurt
    5:1
    1. FC Kaiserslautern
    Match 1 · May 29, 1999 · Location: Frankfurt am Main Stadium: Waldstadion
    1. FC Nürnberg
    1:2
    SC Freiburg
    Match 2 · May 29, 1999 · Location: Nuremberg Stadium: Frankenstadion

    Eintracht beat Kaiserslautern 5–1 to stay in the Bundesliga as Nürnberg lose 2–1 to Freiburg.

  4. Second relegation

    VfL Wolfsburg
    3:0
    Eintracht Frankfurt
    Match 1 · May 12, 2001 · Location: Wolfsburg Stadium: VfL-Stadion am Elsterweg
    Energie Cottbus
    4:2
    Hamburger SV
    Match 2 · May 12, 2001 · Location: Cottbus Stadium: Stadion der Freundschaft
    VfB Stuttgart
    1:0
    Schalke 04
    Match 3 · May 12, 2001 · Location: Stuttgart Stadium: Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion

    A 3–0 defeat in Wolfsburg, together with wins for Cottbus and Stuttgart, confirms relegation.

  5. Promotion after a 6–3 victory

    Eintracht Frankfurt
    6:3
    SSV Reutlingen
    Match 1 · May 25, 2003 · Location: Frankfurt am Main Stadium: Waldstadion
    Eintracht Braunschweig
    1:4
    Mainz 05
    Match 2 · May 25, 2003 · Location: Braunschweig Stadium: Eintracht-Stadion

    Eintracht beat Reutlingen 6–3 and win promotion ahead of Mainz on goal difference.

  6. Relegated despite a home win

    Eintracht Frankfurt
    3:2
    VfL Bochum
    Match 1 · May 15, 2004 · Location: Frankfurt am Main Stadium: Waldstadion
    TSV 1860 München
    1:1
    Hertha BSC
    Match 2 · May 15, 2004 · Location: Munich Stadium: Olympiastadion München

    A 3–2 win over Bochum is not enough: Hertha’s 1–1 draw at 1860 München makes survival impossible.

  7. Immediate promotion back

    A 3–0 win over Wacker Burghausen sends Eintracht straight back to the Bundesliga.

  8. Fourth Bundesliga relegation

    A 3–1 defeat at champions Borussia Dortmund confirms a fourth relegation.

  9. Promotion in Aachen

    A 3–0 win at Alemannia Aachen clinches promotion with two matchdays remaining.

  10. Survival in the play-off

    Haris Seferović scores the goal that secures survival in a 1–0 win in Nuremberg.

2017–2026

European triumph and the present

  1. Denied a European final on penalties

    Chelsea FC
    1:1a.e.t. · 4:3 on pens
    Eintracht Frankfurt
    Location: London Stadium: Stamford Bridge

    After two 1–1 draws, Eintracht lose their Europa League semi-final against Chelsea on penalties.

  2. The night in Barcelona

    Eintracht beat Barcelona 3–2 at Camp Nou.

  3. Champions League debut

    Eintracht play their first match in the Champions League format introduced in 1992.

  4. First Champions League round-of-16 qualification

    A 2–1 win at Sporting secures Eintracht’s first Champions League round-of-16 place.

  5. First Champions League round-of-16 match

    Eintracht play their first Champions League round-of-16 match against SSC Napoli and lose 2–0 at home.

  6. Champions League qualification through the Bundesliga

    A 3–1 win in Freiburg secures third place and Eintracht’s first Champions League qualification through the Bundesliga.