1. FC Cologne
Thousands of fans affected: FC cancels season ticket contracts
Updated May 30, 2026 – 8:40 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Surprise for around 5,000 1. FC Köln season ticket holders: their contracts have been terminated. What’s behind it.
The existing season ticket contracts of around 5,000 ticket holders are from 1. FC Cologne been terminated. Fans who are not yet members of the club are affected. The club is thus implementing a fundamental change in its ticket policy: from the 2026/27 season, season tickets will generally be linked to membership.
In a letter to the affected fans, the FC announced the existing contracts via email. “Since you are not currently an FC member, we hereby formally terminate your season ticket contract in accordance with Section 7.1 of the General Terms and Conditions applicable to your contract in a proper and timely manner with effect from June 30, 2026,” it says.
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Ownership of season tickets is now subject to conditions
However, for those affected, this does not automatically mean the loss of their regular place in the Rheinenergiestadion. The club offers you the opportunity to order your season ticket again via the so-called season ticket dialog. However, the prerequisite for this is membership in the FC, which must be applied for by July 31, 2026 at the latest.
The association relies on the termination clause in its general terms and conditions. These stipulate that season ticket contracts can be terminated by the FC with one month’s notice at the end of a season. No justification is required for this.
Member survey strengthens decision
The club receives support from a member survey, the results of which were presented in mid-May. 72 percent of the approximately 18,000 participants were in favor of tying season tickets to membership. According to the club, of the total of around 25,000 season ticket holders, around 5,000 buyers are affected, who together have around 6,000 season tickets.
In a further communication to season ticket holders, the FC justified the step with the high demand. “As a club with more than 165,000 members, some of whom have been on the waiting list for season tickets for many years, we live up to our responsibility and, based on the survey results, bind all season tickets to membership from the 2026/27 season,” writes the club.
Price increase of around three percent
In addition to the new regulation, the FC is also increasing ticket prices for the coming season. A season ticket for the south curve will now cost 241 euros instead of the current 234 euros. In the most expensive category, the price increases from 995 to 1,023 euros. Depending on the category, the adjustments are in the range of around three percent.
