The history of Schalke 04
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
Kreisel, championships and European football
First German championship final
Schalke reach the German championship final for the first time.
The first double in German football
Schalke beat Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 in the delayed 1937 cup final.
Record victory in the championship final
The 9-0 win over SK Admira Wien is the biggest victory in a German championship final.
The first European match
Schalke make their European debut away to Kjøbenhavns Boldklub.
Reaching a European quarter-final
After drawing 2-2 in Wolverhampton, Schalke win the return against Wanderers 2-1.
Bundesliga, cup triumph and the Parkstadion
A founding Bundesliga member
Schalke begin life in the newly founded Bundesliga with a 2-0 win over Stuttgart.
Seven goals away to Bayern
Schalke win 7-0 away to Bayern Munich.
Relegations and promotions
Third relegation and eventual lowest finish
The 3-1 defeat in Cologne confirms Schalke’s third Bundesliga relegation.
Eurofighters, heartbreak and a new arena
The first European final
Schalke beat Inter 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Cup final.
Jens Lehmann heads Schalke level in the derby
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann rescues a 2–2 draw for Schalke at Borussia Dortmund with a stoppage-time header on December 19, 1997.
Bundesliga debut at the new arena
Five days after the opening ceremony, Schalke play their first competitive match at Arena AufSchalke.
The first Champions League match
The attacks in the United States overshadow Schalke’s Champions League debut.
European highlights and Ruhr derbies
First qualification for the Champions League round of 16
A 3-1 win over Rosenborg takes Schalke into the Champions League round of 16 for the first time.
The first Champions League round-of-16 match
Schalke win their first Champions League round-of-16 match 1-0 against Porto.
Neuer takes Schalke into the quarter-finals
After a 1-0 defeat in Porto, the tie goes to penalties.
Reaching the Champions League semi-finals
A 2-1 return-leg win over Inter confirms Schalke’s first Champions League semi-final appearance.
Crisis and recovery
Relegation after 30 Bundesliga seasons
A 1-0 defeat in Bielefeld confirms relegation on matchday 30.
