Carl Zeiss Jena is a historic German football club with a storied past, currently competing in the German Regionalliga Nordost. Based in Jena, Thuringia, the team plays its home games at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. Founded in 1903, the club is famously named after the renowned optics manufacturer Carl Zeiss, which has been a long-term sponsor and part of the club's identity. The team's traditional colors are white and blue. Carl Zeiss Jena enjoyed its peak era in East German football, winning the DDR-Oberliga multiple times and the FDGB-Pokal on several occasions. They also made a memorable run to the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1981. The club has produced numerous international players and was a powerhouse before German reunification. In the modern era, the club has navigated the complexities of the unified German football system, experiencing both financial struggles and spirited revival attempts. The current squad aims to climb back into the professional 3. Liga. The fan base remains fiercely loyal, preserving the legacy of one of East Germany's most successful football institutions.