The history of 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
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 and Europe
A founding member of the Bundesliga
One of the Bundesliga’s 16 founding members, Kaiserslautern begin with a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.
FCK had finished the final season of the top-flight Oberliga Südwest as champions.
The 7-4 victory over Bayern Munich
Trailing 4-1, Kaiserslautern turn the match against reigning champions Bayern Munich into a 7-4 victory.
Six second-half goals make it one of the Betzenberg’s most famous games.
Biggest Bundesliga victory
Kaiserslautern beat Karlsruher SC 7-0.
By goal margin, this is the club’s biggest Bundesliga victory.
Cup triumphs and championships
Third German championship
A 6-2 victory at 1. FC Köln secures Kaiserslautern’s third German championship and their first in the Bundesliga era.
A year after winning the cup, Karlheinz Feldkamp’s side completes another unexpected triumph.
First Bundesliga relegation
A 1-1 draw away to fellow strugglers Bayer 04 Leverkusen is not enough for survival.
After 33 uninterrupted Bundesliga seasons, founding member Kaiserslautern are relegated for the first time.
Returning with victory at the champions
Kaiserslautern mark their Bundesliga return with a 1-0 victory at Bayern Munich.
Michael Schjønberg scores at the Olympiastadion to give Otto Rehhagel a win against his former club.
German champions as a promoted club
1. FC Kaiserslautern4:0
VfL WolfsburgMatch 1 · May 2, 1998 · Location: Kaiserslautern Stadium: Fritz-Walter-StadionKaiserslautern beat Wolfsburg 4-0 while Bayern Munich draw 0-0 in Duisburg.
The fourth championship is thereby secured with a game to spare. For the first time, a newly promoted club wins the Bundesliga title in its first season back.
European nights and setbacks
Second Bundesliga relegation
A 2-2 draw in Wolfsburg is not enough in the direct battle for survival.
FCK are relegated from the Bundesliga for the second time.
Relegation despite an away victory
Hertha BSC1:2
1. FC KaiserslauternMatch 1 · April 21, 2012 · Location: Berlin Stadium: Olympiastadion BerlinKaiserslautern win 2-1 at Hertha BSC but are nevertheless relegated.
Köln’s simultaneous 1-1 draw with Stuttgart puts the relegation play-off place beyond reach with two matches remaining.
Lowest Bundesliga finish: 18th place
After a 5-2 defeat by Dortmund, Kaiserslautern can no longer reach even the penultimate position.
Eighteenth place is thus confirmed as the club’s lowest Bundesliga finish. The season ultimately ends with 23 points.
