1. FC Köln could have gained a financially strong sponsor. From 2027, the industry giant Adidas will once again equip the club.
Despite being relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga, 1. FC Köln set a club record this season. Never in the club’s history has a jersey been sold as frequently as this year’s red away jersey. In November, the Cologne-based company reported a 54 percent increase in sales compared to the same period last year.
The club has been equipped by the Danish manufacturer Hummel since 2022. It’s not just since this year’s away jersey that matchday and casual clothing has been very popular with fans. The people of Cologne are therefore happy with their sponsor, who is said to pay around four million euros per year to the FC.
Nevertheless, the collaboration could end in the summer of 2027 after the contractually agreed five years. As the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” reports, the second division team is currently negotiating with the industry giant Adidas. Accordingly, the discussions between the club and the Herzogenaurach-based group are already well advanced.
Two years before the end of the contract with Hummel, other suppliers had also expressed their interest in working with 1. FC Köln. However, Adidas would be in the most promising position. Next week, those responsible from Cologne are due to travel to Herzogenaurach to intensify the discussions.
At 1. FC Köln, the possible deal could be the last big project for outgoing FC managing director Markus Rejek. The marketing boss will not extend his contract with the “Billy Billy Goats”, which expires in the summer. The collaboration with the marketer Infront will also end on June 30, 2026. The association will then take over marketing independently for the first time in 25 years.
There is a lot of work ahead of those responsible at Geißbockheim in the coming months. However, if the Cologne-based company can actually win over Adidas, this would be a strong signal. After all, the company founded by the Dassler brothers in 1949 is the second largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world behind the US company Nike.
If this happens, it would be a return to the global brand for 1. FC Cologne. The Cologne team won the double in 1978 with jerseys equipped by Adidas. Adidas and FC also worked together between 2005 and 2008. From summer 2027, the famous three stripes could be seen on the billy goat jersey for the third time.