The history of Arminia Bielefeld
Key milestones in the club's history, in chronological order.
The key milestones at a glance.
Categories
Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
Bundesliga, scandal and dramatic swings
Bundesliga football for the first time
A 2–0 win away to Tennis Borussia Berlin settled the promotion group in Arminia’s favour.
Returns and setbacks
Back in professional football
A 4–0 win at Borussia Neunkirchen secured Arminia’s return to the 2. Bundesliga.
Back-to-back promotions completed
VfB Leipzig3:2
SpVgg UnterhachingMatch 2 · June 2, 1996 · Location: Leipzig Stadium: Bruno-Plache-StadionDespite losing 0–2 in Bochum, Arminia secured a second consecutive promotion.
A seventh Bundesliga promotion
VfL Osnabrück0:0
Arminia BielefeldMatch 1 · May 16, 2004 · Location: Osnabrück Stadium: osnatel ARENASpVgg Unterhaching2:0
Energie CottbusMatch 3 · May 16, 2004 · Location: Unterhaching Stadium: Sportpark UnterhachingA goalless draw in Osnabrück secured immediate promotion.
Hille’s header delivers promotion
Sebastian Hille scored the only goal against Osnabrück.
Cup surprises and new beginnings
Promotion one year after the heartbreak
Arminia Bielefeld2:2
Jahn RegensburgMatch 1 · May 16, 2015 · Location: Bielefeld Stadium: SchücoArena
MSV Duisburg3:1
Holstein KielMatch 2 · May 16, 2015 · Location: Duisburg Stadium: Schauinsland-Reisen-ArenaA 2–2 draw against Jahn Regensburg, together with Duisburg’s 3–1 win over Holstein Kiel, confirmed immediate promotion.
An eighth Bundesliga promotion, watching from home
Arminia Bielefeld4:0
Dynamo DresdenMatch 1 · June 15, 2020 · Location: Bielefeld Stadium: SchücoArenaHamburg’s 1–1 draw against Osnabrück confirmed Arminia’s eighth Bundesliga promotion.
The road to Berlin and a hundred years of the Alm
Promotion confirmed by the challengers’ results
F.C. Hansa Rostock1:3
Energie CottbusMatch 2 · May 10, 2025 · Location: Rostock Stadium: OstseestadionSaarbrücken’s 2–4 defeat in Aachen and Rostock’s 1–3 loss to Cottbus confirmed Arminia’s return to the 2. Bundesliga.
