Bayern Munich are a club based in the city of Munich, and are one of the most successful clubs in Europe, as well as the most successful club in Germany. They currently feature in the top tier of German football, known as the Bundesliga, and have won the competition a record 34 times, with their most recent triumph coming in the 2024-25 season. They also boast six UEFA Champions League (previously European Cup) titles, and are recognised as one of the most decorated and highly professional clubs in the world. Apart from the German top-tier league and Champions League, Bayern, who are also referred to as the Bavarians, have clinched 20 domestic cup titles and hold the feat of winning 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles from 2013 to 2023.
The club was founded in 1900 by eleven players, including Franz John, and won their first national championship back in 1932. However, they were not included in the inaugural Bundesliga season in 1963. They are currently owned by FC Bayern München AG, where FC Bayern München EV has a share of 75%, and the remaining stockholders are adidas AG (8.33%), AUDI AG (8.33%), and Allianz SE (8.33%). Former Belgian footballer Vincent Kompany currently manages the team, and it features in the Bundesliga (domestically) and the Champions League (in Europe).
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1900 |
| Current Owner | FC Bayern München AG |
| Country | Germany |
| City | Munich, Bavaria |
| Nickname | Die Bayern (The Bavarians), Stern des Südens (Star of the South), Die Roten (The Reds), FC Hollywood |
| League | Bundesliga |
| Stadium | Allianz Arena |
| Capacity | 75,024 |
| Manager/Head Coach | Vincent Kompany |
| Squad Size | 30 |
History of Bayern München
Bayern Munich was formed by eleven players in 1900, with one of them being Franz John, who was also their first president from 1900 to 1903. But who were those players? They were members of the Munich gymnastics club. On February 27, 1900, when a group of the gymnastics club decided that the players wouldn’t be allowed to join the DFB (German Football Association), 11 members from the football division quit the group and formed the club, which went on to be known as FC Bayern München.
In the very first year, they reached the semi-finals of the South German Championship and later won numerous trophies. Finally, in 1910-11, they joined Kreisliga, the newly founded regional Bavarian league, a first of its kind. They won the league in the inaugural edition but couldn’t taste success till the beginning of World War I, which paused football in the country. In the first decade, the club had one national team player in the form of Max Gablonsky, and by 1920, they had 700 members, which made them the largest football club in Munich. They won their first national championship in 1932, but the rise of Adolf Hitler brought a halt to the development of the club, as the president Kurt Landauer and the coach Richard Kohn had to flee the region due to their Jewish identities.
After World War II, Bayern joined Oberliga Süd, the southern conference of German first division. However, they went through a period of struggle between 1845 and 1963, when they had to fire 13 coaches. In 1963, the Oberligas were consolidated into one league - the Bundesliga, and five teams from the southern conference found a place there. Bayern couldn't qualify as the criterion was that the top five teams with the best accumulated record in the last 12 years would make it to the newly founded top-tier competition, and the Bavarians saw themselves ranked sixth. Finally, in 1965, after the inclusion of young players like Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, and Sepp Maier, they made it to the Bundesliga, and have to date, have remained the most successful club with 34 titles.
Bayern München: Sponsors, Net Worth, and Value
Bayern Munich have 35 sponsors, which are divided into five categories, namely main partner, platinum partner, gold partner, official partner, and regional partner. The club’s net worth is reportedly €4.5 billion, and the valuation stands at €903.50 million.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | €4.5 billion |
| Valuation | €903.50 million |
| Sponsors | Main Partners: Telekom Deutschland GmbH, adidas AG, Allianz SE, AUDI AG Platinum Partners: Bitpanda, Einhell, HypoVereinsbank, Konami, Libertex, Paulaner, Rwanda, SAP, Saskia, tipico, Viessmann Gold Partners: Celonis, Coca-Cola Zero, Nexen Tire Official Partners: Adyen, Breitling, Champions Travel, Get Your Guide, Hylo Eye Care, Istrien, MAN, Miele, Milka, PRIME, REPLAY Regional Partners: 188BET, Afficionados, BIG Hit, Global66, Tiger Balm, Versusbet |
| Revenue Sources | Advertising, Sponsorships, Merchandising, Broadcast Rights, Matchday Revenues |
Bayern München Derbies
Bayern Munich indulges in two big games. One is the Munich Derby, which they play against 1860 Munich, who hail from the same city as Bayern. The other one is the Der Klassiker, also known as the Clasico of German football, a game which is played between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern München Trophies and Achievements
The Bavarians are considered one of the best clubs in the world, and definitely the best in Germany, considering their track record. They have won the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Champions League among the big trophies, and also other sensational accolades. Below we will mention a table, where you can hold on to every trophy they have won so far.
| Competition | Number of Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 34 | 2024–25, 2022–23, 2021–22, 2020–21, 2019–20, 2018–19, 2017–18, 2016–17, 2015–16, 2014–15, 2013–14, 2012–13, 2009–10, 2007–08, 2005–06, 2004–05, 2002–03, 2000–01, 1999–00, 1998–99, 1996–97, 1993–94, 1989–90, 1988–89, 1986–87, 1985–86, 1984–85, 1980–81, 1979–80, 1973–74, 1972–73, 1971–72, 1968–69, 1931–32 |
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | 2019–20, 2012–13, 2000–01, 1975–76, 1974–75, 1973–74 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2 | 2020–21, 2013–14 |
| DFB Pokal | 20 | 2019–20, 2018–19, 2015–16, 2013–14, 2012–13, 2009–10, 2007–08, 2005–06, 2004–05, 2002–03, 1999–00, 1997–98, 1985–86, 1983–84, 1981–82, 1970–71, 1968–69, 1966–67, 1965–66, 1956–57 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 2 | 2020–21, 2013–14 |
| UEFA Cup | 1 | 1995–96 |
| Cup Winners' Cup | 1 | 1966–67 |
| German Super Cup | 10 | 2022–23, 2021–22, 2020–21, 2018–19, 2017–18, 2016–17, 2012–13, 2010–11, 1990–91, 1987–88 |
| Intercontinental Cup | 2 | 2001, 1976 |
| League Cup | 6 | 2007–08, 2004–05, 2000–01, 1999–00, 1998–99, 1997–98 |
| South German Cup | 1 | 1956–57 |
Future Goals
Bayern München's main ambition is to win the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming seasons, alongside continuing their dominance in the domestic league and cup competitions.
