The history of Borussia Dortmund
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
1900–1909
Ballspielverein Borussia 09 is founded
Eighteen young footballers establish BVB in Dortmund.
1940–1949
First Oberliga West title
BVB win the 1947/48 Oberliga West title for the first time.
1950–1959
First German championship
Borussia beat Karlsruher SC 4–2 to win their first German championship.
German title retained
Borussia beat Hamburger SV 4–1 and retain the German championship.
1960–1969
Third German championship
A 3–1 win over 1. FC Köln makes Borussia the last German champion before the Bundesliga begins.
First DFB-Pokal triumph
Borussia beat Alemannia Aachen 2–0 in the cup final.
Cup Winners' Cup victory
BVB beat Liverpool 2–1 after extra time to win their first European trophy.
1970–1979
Relegation from the Bundesliga
A 0–2 loss away to VfB Stuttgart confirms Borussia's first Bundesliga relegation.
Westfalenstadion opens
BVB open the Westfalenstadion with a friendly against Schalke 04.
Return to the Bundesliga
A 3–2 win over 1. FC Nürnberg seals Borussia's promotion.
1980–1989
Wegmann keeps the hope alive
A late 3–1 win over Fortuna Köln forces a third relegation play-off game.
Survival in the play-off decider
Borussia beat Fortuna Köln 8–0 in the deciding relegation play-off match.
DFB-Pokal triumph in Berlin
Borussia beat SV Werder Bremen 4–1 in the cup final.
1990–1999
First Bundesliga championship
A 2–0 win over Hamburger SV gives Borussia their first Bundesliga title.
Bundesliga title retained
A 2–2 draw away to TSV 1860 München secures BVB's second consecutive Bundesliga title.
2000–2009
German champions in 2002
Borussia win the Bundesliga with a 2–1 victory over SV Werder Bremen.
UEFA Cup final in Rotterdam
Four days after winning the league, Borussia lose the UEFA Cup final 2–3 to Feyenoord.
Fight for financial survival
A creditors' meeting and fan protests mark a turning point in BVB's rescue from heavy debt.
2010–2019
Young side wins the title
A 2–0 win over 1. FC Nürnberg makes Borussia German champions before the final matchday.
Bundesliga title retained
A 2–0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach secures the eighth German championship.
First league and cup double
Borussia beat Bayern Munich 5–2 in the DFB-Pokal final.
Champions League final against Bayern
Borussia lose 1–2 to Bayern Munich in the Wembley final.
Attack on the team bus
Explosions strike BVB's team bus before the Champions League match against Monaco.
DFB-Pokal 2017
Borussia beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2–1 to win the DFB-Pokal again.
2020–2029
Title narrowly missed
A 2–2 draw against Mainz 05 on the final day is not enough to win the league.
Third Champions League final
Borussia lose the Champions League final 0–2 to Real Madrid.
