1. FC Köln is a Bundesliga institution, a club with a massive following based in the cathedral city of Cologne. Known as "Die Geißböcke" (The Billy Goats), they play at the RheinEnergieStadion, an atmospheric ground that is regularly filled to its 50,000 capacity. The club was formed in 1948 from the merger of several predecessor clubs, adopting the iconic red and white colors. Köln's golden era was in the 1970s and early 1980s, when they won multiple Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal, led by legends like goalkeeper Toni Schumacher and striker Dieter Müller. The club is famous for its passionate, carnival-loving fan base, creating one of the best matchday atmospheres in Germany. In the modern era, Köln has experienced yo-yoing between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga but has recently re-established itself as a solid top-flight side under managers like Steffen Baumgart, playing an intense, high-pressing style. The club's culture is unique, defined by its connection to the Cologne carnival and an unwavering, loud support that travels in huge numbers. 1. FC Köln is more than a football club; it is the heart of Cologne's sporting identity.