RB Leipzig facts for kids
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| Full name | RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Die Roten Bullen (German for 'The Red Bulls') | |||
| Short name | RBL | |||
| Founded | 19 May 2009 | |||
| Ground | Red Bull Arena | |||
| Capacity | 47,800 | |||
| Owner | Red Bull GmbH (99%) (of GmbH) | |||
| Sporting director | Rouven Schröder | |||
| Coach | Marco Rose | |||
| League | Bundesliga | |||
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga, 2nd of 18 | |||
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RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V. (which means "Lawn Ball Sports Leipzig"), usually called RB Leipzig, is a German professional football club. It is based in Leipzig, Saxony. The club started in 2009. It was created by the company Red Bull GmbH. Red Bull bought the playing rights of a fifth-tier team, SSV Markranstädt. Their goal was to get the new club into the top German league, the Bundesliga, within eight years.
The professional men's team is managed by a separate company, RasenBallsport Leipzig GmbH. RB Leipzig plays its home games at the Red Bull Arena. The club's nickname is "The Red Bulls" (Die Roten Bullen in German).
In their first season (2009–10), RB Leipzig won their league, the NOFV-Oberliga Süd (V). They were promoted to the Regionalliga Nord (IV). In 2012–13, they won the Regionalliga Nordost without losing a single game. This led to promotion to the 3. Liga (III). After just one season in the 3. Liga (2013–14), they finished second and moved up to the 2. Bundesliga (II). On May 12, 2016, RB Leipzig won a game against Karlsruher SC 2–0. This win meant they were promoted to the Bundesliga for the 2016–17 season.
RB Leipzig qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time by finishing second in the 2016–17 Bundesliga. They reached the semi-finals of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, but lost to Paris Saint-Germain. On May 21, 2022, they won their first major trophy, the DFB-Pokal, by beating SC Freiburg. They won it again the next season, the 2023 DFB-Pokal, defeating Eintracht Frankfurt.
Some people in Germany found RB Leipzig's quick rise controversial. This is because the club has a lot of influence from a company (Red Bull). This is different from how most traditional German sports clubs are owned and run. However, others liked that the club brought top-level football back to the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Before RB Leipzig, there hadn't been a strong Bundesliga team from that area for a long time.
Contents
Club History: How RB Leipzig Started
Finding a Home for a New Team (2006–2009)
Before investing in Leipzig, the company Red Bull GmbH looked for a good place to start a football club in Germany. They spent three and a half years searching. They thought about cities in Western Germany like Hamburg, Munich, and Düsseldorf.
Red Bull first tried to get involved in German football in 2006. They decided to invest in Leipzig, following advice from football legend Franz Beckenbauer. The local club, FC Sachsen Leipzig, was having money problems. Red Bull planned to invest a lot of money and change the club's name and colors. However, the German Football Association (DFB) stopped these plans. They didn't like the proposed name "FC Red Bull Sachsen Leipzig" because it showed too much company influence. After many fan protests, Red Bull gave up on this idea.
Red Bull then looked at clubs in West Germany. They talked to FC St. Pauli in Hamburg, but the club ended discussions when they realized Red Bull wanted more than just a sponsorship. They also talked to TSV 1860 Munich, but that club wasn't interested either.
In 2007, Red Bull planned to invest in Fortuna Düsseldorf. Rumors spread that they wanted to rename the club "Red Bull Düsseldorf." This led to strong protests from fans. The DFB rules also didn't allow changing a club's name for advertising or for an outside investor to own most of the club. Club members rejected the plans, so Red Bull looked back towards East Germany.
Leipzig seemed like a great place for a new club. The city had a rich football history. It was where the DFB was founded and home to the first German champions, VfB Leipzig. However, no team from Leipzig had played in the Bundesliga since 1994. The city's best teams were struggling with fan violence. Leipzig had a large population and a modern stadium, the Zentralstadion. This stadium was used for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was the second-largest in East Germany.
Red Bull realized that buying an existing top-division club would be expensive and difficult due to traditions and DFB rules. They decided it would be better to start a new club designed for their company. In early 2009, Red Bull contacted the Saxony Football Association (SFV) to learn how to start a new club.
A new club would need a playing license. If they didn't get one from another club, they would have to start in the lowest league. Red Bull looked for a club in the Oberliga, which was the fifth tier. Teams in this league didn't need a DFB license. They found SSV Markranstädt, a small club near Leipzig. SSV Markranstädt agreed to sell its Oberliga license to Red Bull.
RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V. was officially founded on May 19, 2009. All seven founding members worked for Red Bull GmbH. Andreas Sadlo became chairman. The DFB rules didn't allow a company name in the club's name. So, the club chose "RasenBallsport," which means "Lawn Ball Sports." By using the initials "RB," the connection to "Red Bull" was still clear.
RB Leipzig started by taking over SSV Markranstädt's top three men's teams and a senior men's team. They also took their head coach, Tino Vogel. RB Leipzig needed at least four youth teams to get their license. They got these from FC Sachsen Leipzig, which was again having financial problems and couldn't afford its youth department. The North East German Football Association (NOFV) approved the license transfer on June 13, 2009.
RB Leipzig played its first season at the Stadion am Bad in Markranstädt. The plan was to move to the much larger Zentralstadion in Leipzig soon. Michael Kölmel, who owned the Zentralstadion, was keen to find a strong team to play there. Red Bull GmbH reserved the naming rights for the stadium in June 2009.
When it was founded, RB Leipzig aimed to reach the Bundesliga within eight years. Red Bull GmbH planned to invest 100 million euros in the club over ten years. The owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, even spoke about the possibility of winning the German championship one day. The last Leipzig team to do so was VfB Leipzig in 1913.
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Rising Through the Leagues (2009–2016)
RB Leipzig played its first match on July 10, 2009, a friendly game against SV Bannewitz. They won 5–0. Their first competitive match was on July 31, 2009, in the Saxony Cup, which they won 5–0. Their first league match was on August 8, 2009, ending in a 1–1 draw.
Despite a few losses, the club was in first place at the halfway point of the 2009–10 season. They signed experienced midfielder Timo Rost in January 2010. The team secured first place in the 2009–10 NOFV–Oberliga Süd, earning promotion to the Regionalliga Nord. They finished the season with a goal difference of 74–17, losing only two games.
In January 2010, Andreas Saldo left as chairman, and Dietmar Beiersdorfer took over. After the season, Beiersdorfer replaced head coach Tino Vogel. Tomas Oral became the new head coach on June 18, 2010.
Before entering the Regionalliga, RB Leipzig made some changes. They returned their second, third, and fourth teams to SSV Markranstädt. They then adopted ESV Delitzsch's first team as their reserve team. The first team moved from the Stadion am Bad to the Zentralstadion in Leipzig. The stadium was renamed Red Bull Arena on July 24, 2010, with a friendly match against FC Schalke 04.
The 2010–11 Regionalliga season started with several draws. Their first win came in an away game against Holstein Kiel. The club finished 4th, missing out on promotion. However, they won the 2010–11 Saxony Cup by beating Chemnitzer FC 1–0. This was their first title and qualified them for the 2011–12 DFB-Pokal. Because they didn't get promoted, Peter Pacult became the new head coach for the 2011–12 season.
On July 29, 2011, RB Leipzig played their first DFB-Pokal match. They beat Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg 3–2. They were knocked out in the next round by FC Augsburg. In the 2011–12 Regionalliga season, RB Leipzig had their biggest win, beating SV Wilhelmshaven 8–2. They finished 3rd, missing promotion again.
The 2012–13 season in the new Regionalliga Nordost brought big changes. Ralf Rangnick became the new sporting director. He replaced Peter Pacult with Alexander Zorniger as head coach. This season was more successful. The club won the league title without a single defeat.
They also won the 2012–13 Saxony Cup again, beating Chemnitzer FC 4–2. This qualified them for the 2013–14 DFB-Pokal. As Regionalliga Nordost champions, RB Leipzig played a playoff to get into the 3. Liga. They beat Sportfreunde Lotte 2–0 in the first game. The second game ended 2–2, meaning RB Leipzig was promoted to the 3. Liga after three seasons in the Regionalliga.
In the 2013–14 season, RB Leipzig played in the 3. Liga for the first time. They signed several new players like Joshua Kimmich and Yussuf Poulsen. They were knocked out of the 2013–14 DFB-Pokal in the first round by FC Augsburg.
The 3. Liga season started well, with an undefeated run until August 31, 2013. During the winter break, more players joined, including Diego Demme and Georg Teigl.
After a loss in February 2014, the team didn't lose another game for the rest of the season. They had a close race with SV Darmstadt 98 for second place. RB Leipzig won their match against Darmstadt 1–0. Two weeks later, they secured direct promotion to the 2. Bundesliga by beating 1. FC Saarbrücken 5–1. This made them the first team since the 3. Liga started to get promoted to the 2. Bundesliga in just one season.
After promotion, the German Football League (DFL) was in charge of licensing. The DFL said RB Leipzig could get a license for the 2014–15 season, but only if they met certain conditions. The DFL felt the club wasn't independent enough from Red Bull GmbH. They asked the club to redesign its logo, change how its leadership was set up, and make it easier for new members to join.
RB Leipzig appealed these decisions. Ralf Rangnick said the club was willing to compromise. Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz even threatened to end the project in Leipzig if the license wasn't given. In May 2014, a compromise was reached. The club agreed to redesign its logo and make sure its management was independent from Red Bull GmbH.
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Before the 2014–15 season, the club signed many new players, including Rani Khedira, Lukas Klostermann, and Terrence Boyd. They spent about 12 million euros on new players that summer. This was a large amount for a 2. Bundesliga club.
The 2014–15 2. Bundesliga season started with a draw, then some wins. Their first league loss was against 1. FC Union Berlin. By the 7th matchday, they were in second place. They reached the round of 16 in the 2014–15 DFB-Pokal for the first time.
After some difficult results, the club dropped to 7th place. They signed more players in the winter break, like Emil Forsberg. On February 6, 2015, they lost to Erzgebirge Aue. The club decided to part ways with coach Alexander Zorniger, who then left immediately. Achim Beierlorzer became the interim head coach.
RB Leipzig was knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by VfL Wolfsburg in March 2015. The stadium was completely sold out for this match. Ralf Rangnick became the new head coach from the summer, in addition to his role as sporting director. RB Leipzig finished the 2014–15 2. Bundesliga season in fifth place.
Before the 2015–16 season, RB Leipzig continued to strengthen their team. They signed Davie Selke, Atınç Nukan, and Willi Orban. Davie Selke's transfer was a record for the 2. Bundesliga. They also signed players from their unofficial sister club, FC Red Bull Salzburg, like Stefan Ilsanker. This made some Salzburg fans angry because their best players kept moving to Leipzig.
In the 2015–16 DFB-Pokal, their match against VfL Osnabrück was stopped because a lighter was thrown at the referee. The DFB later ruled that Osnabrück lost the match 0–2.
RB Leipzig also showed support for refugees during the 2015 European migrant crisis. They donated money and equipment to help asylum seekers. Staff and players collected clothes, and Ralf Rangnick, whose parents were refugees, personally supported the effort. Fans also invited refugees to watch a home match for free.
RB Leipzig was knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by SpVgg Unterhaching. They reached first place in the league in November 2015 but lost it briefly. They regained the lead in December. They held the top spot until March 2016, when they lost it to SC Freiburg.
RB Leipzig finally secured direct promotion to the Bundesliga on May 8, 2016, by beating Karlsruher SC 2–0. They celebrated with 20,000 supporters in Leipzig. Ralf Rangnick stepped down as head coach to focus on his sporting director role. Ralph Hasenhüttl was announced as the new head coach on May 6, 2016.
The Bundesliga Era (2016–Present)
RB Leipzig had an amazing start in the Bundesliga. They were undefeated in their first thirteen league matches of the 2016–17 season. This set a new record for a promoted team. They even reached first place in the league, becoming the first team from former East Germany to do so since 1991.
RB Leipzig was the first Bundesliga team to qualify for a European tournament in their debut season since German reunification. They did this with a 4–0 win against SC Freiburg in April 2017. They then qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League by beating Hertha BSC 4–1.
The next season, Leipzig finished 6th in the Bundesliga. They also reached the quarter-finals of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League after moving from the Champions League group stage. On May 16, 2018, Ralph Hasenhüttl resigned as head coach. Ralf Rangnick became coach again for one year, before Julian Nagelsmann took over in 2019.
RB Leipzig finished 3rd in the 2018–19 Bundesliga season, qualifying for the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League. They also reached the DFB-Pokal final for the first time, but lost 3–0 to Bayern Munich. On June 1, 2019, Rangnick left his role as sporting director.
In the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig won their group. They beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16 and Atlético Madrid in the quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals. However, they lost 3–0 to Paris Saint-Germain.
Under coach Domenico Tedesco, RB Leipzig reached the semi-finals of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League, losing to Rangers. They won their first major title, the DFB-Pokal, beating SC Freiburg on penalties. On July 30, 2022, they lost the 2022 DFL-Supercup 5–3 to Bayern Munich. Tedesco was fired on September 7, 2022, after a Champions League loss. On June 3, 2023, RB Leipzig won their second DFB-Pokal title in a row, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2–0. They also won their first DFL-Supercup on August 13, 2023, beating Bayern Munich 3–0.
Team Colors and Logo
RB Leipzig plays in the traditional red and white colors of Red Bull football teams. When the club was founded, the Saxony Football Association (SFV) rejected all proposed logos. They looked too much like the Red Bull company logo. So, the team played its first season without a logo.
RB Leipzig later proposed a new logo, which the SFV accepted in May 2010. This logo was a bit different from other Red Bull team logos. It was used until the end of the 2013–14 season. However, the German Football League (DFL) rejected it when RB Leipzig applied for a license for the 2. Bundesliga. As part of a deal with the DFL, the club agreed to redesign its logo again.
The current logo is quite different from other Red Bull football team logos. It's similar to the modified logo used by FC Red Bull Salzburg for international games due to UEFA rules. The yellow sun was replaced with a football, and the "RB" initials were moved to the bottom and are no longer highlighted in red.
Kit Suppliers and Shirt Sponsors
| Period | Supplier | Shirt Sponsor | Sleeve sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2014 | Adidas | Red Bull | None |
| 2014–2017 | Nike | ||
| 2017–2021 | CG Immobilien | ||
| 2021–2022 | CG Immobilien / Veganz (in cup and UEFA matches) |
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| 2022–2023 | AOC Die Stadtentwickler / Veganz (in cup and UEFA matches) |
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| 2023–2024 | AOC Die Stadtentwickler / IHG Hotels & Resorts (in cup and UEFA matches) |
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| 2024–present | Puma |
Home Stadium: Red Bull Arena
RB Leipzig played its first season (2009–10) at the Stadion am Bad in Markranstädt. This stadium had 5,000 seats. The plan was for the team to quickly move to the much larger Zentralstadion in Leipzig. Red Bull GmbH reserved the naming rights for the stadium when the club was founded. This meant no one else could buy the name. The City of Leipzig approved the new name, "Red Bull Arena," on March 25, 2010. Red Bull GmbH then bought the naming rights, and the Zentralstadion was officially renamed Red Bull Arena on July 1, 2010. The agreement lasts until 2040. The stadium opened under its new name on July 24, 2010, with a friendly match against Schalke 04.
The Red Bull Arena had a capacity of 44,345 seats in 2014–15. In March 2015, RB Leipzig announced they would invest 5 million euros to improve the stadium. This included expanding VIP areas, the press box, and wheelchair spaces. They also added two new, larger LED scoreboards and improved player facilities. The VIP area grew from 700 to about 1400 seats. The stadium's capacity was slightly reduced to 42,959 seats before the 2015–16 season due to these changes.
The Red Bull Arena was an all-seater stadium for a long time. Home fans sit in sector B. In 2014, supporters asked for sector B to be converted into a standing area. This was done in the 2021–22 season.
Attendance Records
RB Leipzig's first DFB-Pokal match on July 29, 2011, against VfL Wolfsburg, had 31,212 spectators. This was a club attendance record for the Red Bull Arena at the time. The record was broken on October 25, 2011, when 34,341 spectators watched their DFB-Pokal game against FC Augsburg.
The last home game of the 2013–14 3. Liga season on May 3, 2014, saw 42,713 fans. This was a record crowd for the Red Bull Arena at the time. They watched RB Leipzig win 5–1 against 1. FC Saarbrücken and secure promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. The current club record for attendance at the Red Bull Arena is 43,348 spectators. This was set on March 4, 2015, during a DFB-Pokal match against VfL Wolfsburg, which was the first time the stadium was completely sold out.
RB Leipzig holds two attendance records for the Saxony Cup final. The 2011 final against Chemnitzer FC had 13,958 spectators, a new record. This record was broken two years later in the 2013 final against the same team, with 16,864 spectators. The club also set an attendance record for a fourth-tier German football match. This was during their 3. Liga qualification game against Sportfreunde Lotte on May 29, 2013, which had 30,104 spectators.
On October 4, 2015, RB Leipzig played its 100th match at the Red Bull Arena. By then, over 1.4 million spectators had attended their matches there, averaging 14,643 fans per game.
Their first Bundesliga home match was on September 10, 2016, against Borussia Dortmund, with 42,558 spectators. In their first Bundesliga season, the average attendance was 41,454, which is 97% of the stadium's capacity.
Average Home League Attendances
| Season | Average attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 2,150 | |
| 2010–11 | 4,206 | |
| 2011–12 | 7,401 | |
| 2012–13 | 7,563 | |
| 2013–14 | 16,734 | |
| 2014–15 | 25,025 | |
| 2015–16 | 29,441 | |
| 2016–17 | 41,454 | |
| 2017–18 | 39,397 | |
| 2018–19 | 38,380 | |
| 2019–20 | 28,819 | |
| 2020–21 | 1,059 | |
| 2021–22 | 22,124 | |
| 2022–23 | 45,559 | |
| 2023–24 | 45,175 |
Stadium Expansion Plans
In October 2014, there were reports that the club wanted to expand the Red Bull Arena to 55,000 seats. This would make it one of Germany's ten largest football stadiums. It was unclear who would pay for this. Red Bull GmbH might buy the stadium to invest themselves.
The club had also reserved land near the A14 motorway north of Leipzig. This land could be used to build a completely new stadium, possibly with up to 80,000 seats. This idea might also put pressure on the current stadium owner to agree to an expansion.
In August 2015, the stadium owner, Michael Kölmel, said that a new stadium outside Leipzig could harm fan culture. He said the Red Bull Arena could be expanded to 55,000 seats or more.
In October 2015, new plans were made to expand the stadium to 57,000 seats. Construction was planned to start in summer 2016. However, in January 2016, the club decided to delay these plans until at least 2017.
In February 2016, a German newspaper reported that the club was again thinking about building a new 80,000-seat stadium north of Leipzig. This would only happen if ticket demand greatly and consistently exceeded the Red Bull Arena's capacity. A move to a new stadium could have been possible in 2020, when the club's lease contract for the Red Bull Arena was set to expire.
In December 2016, RB Leipzig offered to buy the stadium from Michael Kölmel. With Red Bull owning the arena, a new stadium was no longer planned. The stadium was expanded to 47,069 seats by 2021.
Training Center for Players
In 2010, Red Bull announced plans to build a training center and a youth academy in Leipzig. They planned to invest 30 million euros in a center with six pitches, offices, and a youth academy. The training center was to be built at Cottaweg. Some environmental groups and local users of the area objected to the plans. However, the City of Leipzig approved the plans on December 15, 2010. RB Leipzig planned to invest in a 92,000 square meter area.
Construction began in March 2011. The first phase included three natural grass pitches, one artificial turf pitch, and an artificial hill for physical exercises. All pitches had floodlights, irrigation, and soil heating. Locker rooms and weight rooms were set up in 60 containers. The first part of the training center opened in August 2011.
The second phase of construction started in January 2014. The goal was to create one of Germany's largest training centers for an estimated cost of 35 million euros. The project included two more pitches, a goalkeeping practice area, and a three-story, 13,500 square meter sports complex. This complex would serve all RB Leipzig teams, from the U8 team to the professional team. Pitch one was also to get a covered grandstand with at least 1,000 seats for youth matches.
The new sports complex opened in September 2015. It is used by the professional team and six youth teams. It has an 800 square meter indoor hall, an indoor running track, weight rooms, cold chambers, a spa, medical facilities, and private relaxation rooms for professional players. It also has a media center, offices, a boarding school for 50 youth players, and a café for parents and fans. The RB Leipzig training center is considered one of the most modern in Germany.
In spring 2016, a covered grandstand with 1,000 seats, a motor skills training area, and a parking area were built. The artificial hill for physical exercises was also rebuilt.
The club has plans for even more expansions. They want to build an additional pitch to the south, but this requires more land and faces objections. A future expansion to the north is more likely. This area is currently used by other sports clubs, but it is promised to RB Leipzig when their lease contracts end in 2026.
Supporters and Fan Culture
Fan Clubs and Groups
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As of August 2023, RB Leipzig has 68 official fan clubs. The first two official fan clubs, L.E Bulls and Bulls Club, were registered in 2009. L.E Bulls is the oldest, and Bulls Club claims to be the largest. There are also unofficial fan clubs like Rasenballisten and Fraktion Red Pride. RB Leipzig also has a small group of dedicated fans called ultras, with groups like Red Aces and Lecrats. By March 2016, about 5,000 RB Leipzig supporters were part of organized groups.
Fan clubs and supporter groups are part of a union called Fanverband RB Leipzig Fans, founded in 2013. This union includes official and unofficial fan clubs. As of 2016, 25 supporter groups were part of this union. Each group has two representatives who meet regularly. The union also holds a general meeting once a year. "Fan representatives" are elected to talk with club officials and share ideas or concerns from the fans.
Away Game Support
RB Leipzig supporters travel in large numbers to away games. Nearly 2,500 fans went to the match against FC St. Pauli in February 2016. Even more, about 2,800, went to Nuremberg a month later. In their first two Bundesliga seasons, more than 7,000 supporters attended away matches in Dortmund, Munich, and Berlin. A record 8,500 supporters went to Berlin to see their team qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The next year, over 9,000 fans traveled for the last away game of the 2017–18 season in Berlin.
Club Organization and Money
The Association (RasenballSport Leipzig e.V.)
RasenballSport Leipzig e.V. is a registered voluntary association. Its main governing body is the Vorstand (management board). The Ehrenrat (honorary board) appoints the management board. There is also a Aufsichtsrat (supervisory board). The honorary board is elected by club members.
In 2014, the club made big organizational changes because of rules from the German Football League (DFL). The DFL wanted to make sure the club was independent from Red Bull. The DFL's "50+1 rule" aims to prevent outside companies from having too much control over a club's sports decisions. As part of a deal with the DFL, the club promised that most of its management board members would be independent of Red Bull.
A new supervisory board was also added. This board took over the controlling tasks that the honorary board used to do. The association is responsible for the men's youth teams (U8 to U14) and all women's football teams.
Membership Rules
Becoming a voting member of RasenballSport Leipzig e.V. is very difficult. Unlike most other German football clubs, there is no easy way to become a voting member. The club's management has said they don't want a large number of members like other clubs. They want to avoid situations where fan groups, like Ultras, gain too much power.
When the club started, it only had 9 members, all Red Bull employees. By 2014, the fee to join was 100 euros, and the annual fee was 800 euros. This was much higher than clubs like Bayern Munich, where annual fees were between 30 and 60 euros. Even if someone paid the fee, the management board could reject their application without giving a reason.
This strict membership policy was criticized. The DFL required the club to lower fees and open up membership to get a license for the 2014–15 season. In response, RB Leipzig created a new "official supporting member" type in June 2014. The annual fee for this membership is between 70 and 1000 euros. It helps support youth football. "Supporting members" get special benefits, like meeting the professional team. They can attend general meetings but cannot vote. To improve fan involvement, "supporting members" have one representative on the supervisory board.
The Company (RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH)
On December 2, 2014, the club's association voted to create a separate company called RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH. This was done to help the club become more professional and competitive. This company is responsible for the professional team, the reserve team, and men's youth teams from U15 and older.
As of 2015, Red Bull GmbH owns 99% of RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH. The remaining 1% is owned by the association. However, because of the "50+1 rule," the association still holds most of the voting power.
Sponsorships
RB Leipzig's kits were first made by Adidas. In 2014, the club switched to Nike in a deal expected to last until at least 2025. In October 2014, the club also made deals with Hugo Boss, Porsche (as a youth sponsor), and Volkswagen for stadium advertising. On May 20, 2016, RB Leipzig extended its contract with Krostitzer Brauerei to be its official beer partner until 2018.
Donations to Other Clubs
In March 2020, RB Leipzig, along with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen, donated 20 million euros. This money went to other Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 teams that were having financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Players
Current Team Roster
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Players Out on Loan
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Key Players and Records
Most Appearances for RB Leipzig
Statistics are correct as of November 12, 2024.
- The top ten players with the most games played are listed.
- This includes all matches and substitute appearances.
- Players in bold are still playing for the club.
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| Rank | Player | Nationality | Position | Years Played | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yussuf Poulsen |  Denmark |
Forward | 2013– | 410 |
| 2 | Emil Forsberg |  Sweden |
Midfielder | 2015–2023 | 325 |
| 3 | Willi Orbán |  Hungary |
Defender | 2015– | 324 |
| 4 | Péter Gulácsi | Hungary |
Goalkeeper | 2015– | 317 |
| 5 | Lukas Klostermann |  Germany |
Defender | 2014– | 302 |
| 6 | Kevin Kampl |  Slovenia |
Midfielder | 2017– | 257 |
| 7 | Marcel Halstenberg | Germany |
Defender | 2015–2023 | 240 |
| 8 | Marcel Sabitzer |  Austria |
Forward | 2014–2021 | 229 |
| 9 | Diego Demme | Germany |
Midfielder | 2014–2020 | 214 |
| 10 | Timo Werner | Germany |
Forward | 2016–2020, 2022– | 213 |
Top Goalscorers for RB Leipzig
Statistics are correct as of November 12, 2024.
- The top ten players with the most goals are listed.
- Players in bold are still playing for the club.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Position | Years Played | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timo Werner | Germany |
Forward | 2016–2020, 2022– | 113 |
| 2 | Yussuf Poulsen | Denmark |
Forward | 2013– | 92 |
| 3 | Daniel Frahn | Germany |
Forward | 2010–2015 | 87 |
| 4 | Emil Forsberg | Sweden |
Midfielder | 2015–2023 | 71 |
| 5 | Christopher Nkunku |  France |
Forward | 2019–2023 | 70 |
| 6 | Marcel Sabitzer | Austria |
Midfielder | 2014–2021 | 52 |
| 7 | Loïs Openda |  Belgium |
Forward)|Midfielder | 2023– | 34 |
| Dominik Kaiser | Germany |
Midfielder | 2012–2018 | ||
| 9 | Willi Orbán | Hungary |
Defender | 2015– | 30 |
| 10 | Dani Olmo |  Spain |
Forward | 2020–2024 | 29 |
Team Captains
- Players in bold are still playing for the club.
| Captain | Nationality | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingo Hertzsch | Germany |
2009–2010 | |
| Tim Sebastian | Germany |
2010–2011 | |
| Daniel Frahn | Germany |
2011–2015 | |
| Dominik Kaiser | Germany |
2015–2017 | |
| Willi Orbán |  Hungary |
2017–2020, 2023– | |
| Marcel Sabitzer | Austria |
2020–2021 | |
| Péter Gulácsi | Hungary |
2021–2023 |
Club Staff
Current Staff Members
| Position | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manager |  Marco Rose |
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| Assistant manager | Frank Geideck Alexander Zickler |
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| First-team coach | Marco Kurth |
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| Goalkeeping coach | Frederik Gößling |
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| Athletic coach | Daniel Behlau |
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| Athletic coach |  Patrick Eibenberger |
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| Athletic coach | Ruwen Faller |
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| Athletic coach | Kai Kraft |
|
| Sporting coordinator | Felix Krüger |
|
| Team manager |  Babacar N'Diaye |
|
| Head of match analysis | Fabian Friedrich |
|
| Head of medicine & sports science | Dr. Helge Riepenhof |
|
| Head of sports science |  Jack Nayler |
|
| Team doctor | Dr. Robert Percy Marshall |
|
| Team doctor | Dr. Frank Striegler |
|
| Team doctor | Jan-Niklas Droste |
|
| Mental performance coach |  Peter Schneider |
Coaching History
| No. | Head coach | Nationality | From | Until | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tino Vogel | Germany |
1 July 2009 | 30 June 2010 | 364 | |
| 2 | Tomas Oral | Germany |
1 July 2010 | 30 June 2011 | 364 | |
| 3 | Peter Pacult | Austria |
1 July 2011 | 30 June 2012 | 365 | |
| 4 | Alexander Zorniger | Germany |
1 July 2012 | 11 February 2015 | 954 | |
| 5 | Achim Beierlorzer | Germany |
11 February 2015 | 30 June 2015 | 139 | Note 1 |
| 6 | Ralf Rangnick | Germany |
1 July 2015 | 30 June 2016 | 365 | |
| 7 | Ralph Hasenhüttl | Austria |
1 July 2016 | 16 May 2018 | 684 | |
| 8 | Ralf Rangnick | Germany |
9 July 2018 | 30 June 2019 | 356 | |
| 9 | Julian Nagelsmann | Germany |
1 July 2019 | 30 June 2021 | 730 | |
| 10 | Jesse Marsch |  United States |
1 July 2021 | 5 December 2021 | 157 | |
| 11 | Achim Beierlorzer | Germany |
5 December 2021 | 9 December 2021 | 4 | Note 1 |
| 12 | Domenico Tedesco | Germany |
9 December 2021 | 7 September 2022 | 272 | |
| 13 | Marco Rose | Germany |
8 September 2022 | present | 1030 |
Notes
- Interim coach.
Season Overview
| Season | League | Position | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points | DFB-Pokal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 3rd | 18 | 12 | 4 | 81 | 37 | 66 | Round of 16 | ||
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga | 2nd | 19 | 8 | 7 | 60 | 32 | 65 | Runners-up | ||
| 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 4th | 17 | 7 | 10 | 72 | 37 | 58 | Winners | ||
| 2022–23 | Bundesliga | 3rd | 20 | 6 | 8 | 64 | 41 | 66 | Winners | ||
| 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 4th | 19 | 8 | 7 | 77 | 39 | 65 | Second round | ||
| Green marks a season followed by promotion | |||||||||||
Playing in European Competitions
RB Leipzig entered European football for the first time in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League. This happened after they finished second in their first season in the Bundesliga (2016–17). RB Leipzig is one of the fastest clubs to qualify for the Champions League after being created.
There was a question about whether RB Leipzig and FC Red Bull Salzburg (another Red Bull-owned club) could both play in UEFA competitions. This was because Red Bull had a lot of influence over both teams. After looking into it, UEFA decided in June 2017 that both clubs were independent enough from the Red Bull company to be allowed to play.
In the first season after this decision, both clubs reached the quarter-finals of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League. They did not play each other. However, in the next season, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg were drawn into the same group. Salzburg won both games against Leipzig (3–2 in Germany, 1–0 in Austria). Salzburg won all their group matches, while Leipzig did not make it past the group stage.
UEFA Club Ranking
As of August 29, 2024
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Chelsea |
81.500 |
| 11 | Bayer Leverkusen |
78.000 |
| 12 | RB Leipzig |
76.000 |
| 13 |  Benfica |
75.000 |
| 14 |  Atlético Madrid |
73.000 |
RB Leipzig Related Teams
RB Leipzig has several related teams, including a women's team and various youth and academy teams.
Connection with Red Bull Salzburg
In 2005, Red Bull bought a club in Salzburg, Austria, and renamed it Red Bull Salzburg. Their goal was to create a top team in Austria. Over the next ten years, Leipzig became Red Bull's main football project. Players often moved between the two clubs, like Georg Teigl, Marcel Sabitzer, and Stefan Ilsanker. Some Salzburg fans became upset that their best players were being sent to the "sister club" in Germany. The two clubs also share links in their youth systems and scouting networks.
When both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, there was a concern about a conflict of interest. This was due to Red Bull's influence over both teams. However, after reviewing their operations, UEFA decided in June 2017 that both clubs were independent enough to compete.
In the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg were in the same group. Salzburg won both matches against Leipzig. In December 2020, Dominik Szoboszlai became another player to move from Salzburg to Leipzig. In 2023, Nicolas Seiwald and Benjamin Šeško also transferred from Salzburg to Leipzig.
Club Achievements
Domestic Titles in Germany
League Titles
- Bundesliga
- Second Place: 2016–17, 2020–21
- 2. Bundesliga (Second Division)
- Second Place: 2015–16
- 3. Liga (Third Division)
- Second Place: 2013–14
- Regionalliga Nordost (Fourth Division)
- Winners: 2012–13
- NOFV-Oberliga Süd (Fifth Division)
- Winners: 2009-10
Cup Titles
- DFB-Pokal (German Cup)
- Winners: 2021–22, 2022–23
- Second Place: 2018–19, 2020–21
- DFL-Supercup (German Supercup)
- Winners: 2023
- Second Place: 2022
- Saxony Cup
- Winners: 2010–11, 2012–13
Affiliated Clubs
The following clubs are currently connected with RB Leipzig:
- FC Red Bull Salzburg (2009–present)
- New York Red Bulls (2009–present)
Red Bull Brasil (2009–present)- Red Bull Bragantino (2020–present)
FC Goa (2020–present)
The following clubs were connected with RB Leipzig in the past:
- SSV Markranstädt (2009–2010)
Red Bull Ghana (2009–2014)- ESV Delitzsch (2010–2011)
See also
In Spanish: RasenBallsport Leipzig para niños
