1860 Munich
Die Löwen of Munich
Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 Munich (German pronunciation: [ˌteːʔɛsˈfaʊ ˌʔaxtseːnˈhʊndɐt ˈzɛçtsɪç ˈmʏnçn̩]; sechzig locally [ˈzɛçtsɪk]; lettered as Achtzehnhundertsechzig München) or 1860 Munich, is a sports club based in Munich. The club's football team plays in the Regionalliga Bayern, the fourth tier of the German football pyramid. Their current home ground is the Grünwalder Stadion, having first moved there in 1911 and spent much of their history there.
- Rivalry Name
- Munich Derby
- First Meeting
- Early 20th Century
- Shared Home Ground Era
- Grünwalder Stadion (until 1972)
- Current Status
- Competitive tiers separated
- Historical Significance
- Defining the football identity of Munich
Lore & Background
The sports club was established in its current form in 1860, adding a football department in 1899. 1860 emerged as a competitive force during the 1920s and 1930s, capturing the 1942 Tschammerpokal (now DFB-Pokal). Unlike local rivals Bayern Munich, they were a founding member of the Bundesliga in 1963 and subsequently enjoyed a golden era. They won the 1964 DFB-Pokal, the 1966 Bundesliga and finished as league runners-up in 1967. Relegations and financial instability have defined the club's history since 1970, including a drop to amateur football in 1982 and a financial crisis in 2017. A brief revival saw them return to the Bundesliga in the 1990s, peaking with a fourth-place finish in 2000 and UEFA competition appearances. Mounting debt and a 16th-place finish in the 2016–17 2. Bundesliga led to investor Hasan Ismaik refusing to pay for their 3. Liga license. Despite administrative relegation to the fourth tier, they achieved 3. Liga promotion the following season. 1860 stayed in the 3. Liga until further financial instability caused the denial of a 3. Liga license for the 2026-27 season and another administrative relegation.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Grünwalder Stadion hung heavy with humidity and anticipation. On one side, the red sea of Bayern supporters chanted with the precision of an army; on the other, the blue-and-white clatter of 1860 fans echoed with raw, working-class grit. Scarves were waved in memory of when both teams shared this pitch as equals, but the weight of history felt different now. The referee blew the whistle, and for ninety minutes, the city of Munich ceased to exist, replaced entirely by the binary choice of red or blue.
Reader's Guide
1860 Munich are nicknamed Die Löwen (The Lions) and Die Blauen (The Blues), having played in sky-blue kits for most of their history. Their longest-standing and fiercest rivalry is with Bayern Munich, against whom they contest the Munich derby. 1860 shared Grünwalder with Bayern from 1925 to 1972, when both clubs moved to the Olympiastadion. The following decades saw 1860 switch between the two grounds several times. In 2005, Bayern and 1860 moved to the newly built Allianz Arena. Bayern terminated 1860's rental agreement following their 2017 relegation, after which they returned to Grünwalder.
Did You Know?
- 1860 Munich were a founding member of the Bundesliga in 1963, unlike local rivals Bayern Munich.
- The club won the 1966 Bundesliga and the 1964 DFB-Pokal.
- 1860 Munich's current home ground is the Grünwalder Stadion, where they first moved in 1911.
- The club was administratively relegated to the fourth tier in 2017 and again for the 2026-27 season due to financial instability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is TSV 1860 München?
TSV 1860 München is the historic local rival of FC Bayern München and was founded decades earlier in 1860. They represent the traditional working-class identity of Munich, contrasting with Bayern's modern global status.
What is this rivalry known as?
The clash between these two teams is famously called the Munich Derby. It stands as Germany’s most visceral local rivalry, defining the football culture within the Bavarian capital for over a century.
Did they share a home ground in the past?
Until 1972, both sides shared the Grünwalder Stadion as their home ground during the early decades of competition. Today, they play at different stadiums due to their separation across various competitive tiers.
Why is this rivalry important to Munich?
The derby is vital because it highlights the split between Munich’s global powerhouse and its traditional people’s club. Their century-long competition fundamentally shaped the football identity of the entire city.
Are they still competitive rivals today?
While matches are now infrequent due to playing in separated competitive tiers, the historic tension remains a core part of Munich football culture. Fans still view every potential encounter as a significant chapter in their long-standing battle.
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