Sportverein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V. was founded in 1899, played its first ever match under name SV Werder in the same year, and was a founder member of the German Football Association (DFB).
The club grew steadily up to and after the First World War and adopted its current name in 1920.
It was not until the 1930’s however, that the club achieved success, winning league titles in 1934, 1936 and 1937.
At the end of World War 2 the victorious allies disbanded many organisations, including football clubs, and a new club called Turn- und Sport Verein 1945 Bremen emerged. In 1946 the name changed again to Sport-Club Grün-Weiss 99 Bremen before the club reclaimed its original name in the same year.
From 1945 until 1963, when the Bundesliga was formed, Bremen were recognised, alongside Hamburger SV, as one of the two top northern teams. A cup win in 1961 and consistently strong league performances ensured Bremen was a founder member of the Bundesliga. Indeed they were champions in the second season.
Until the 2020/21 season Bremen had been a member of the Bundesliga every year but one since 1963. Despite inevitable ups and downs they have been a powerful force in German football for most of that time, winning the championship three times, the German cup six times and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup once. On the club website there is a table showing the games won and lost, goals scored and conceded and points accumulated by all Bundesliga clubs since its formation. Werder Bremen is in second place behind Bayern Munich and just ahead of Hamburg.
The 2020/21 season was disastrous one for Werder Bremen. They finished third from bottom, lost the relegation/promotion playoffs to SpVgg Greuther Fürth and fell to the second division.
Stadium
Werder Bremen play in the Weserstadion, which is situated close to the city centre. Although originally built in 1909 the stadium has been renovated four times, most recently between 2008 and 2011. These latest modifications have transformed the Weserstadion into one of the finest and most atmospheric sports venues in Europe. It has a capacity of 42500 spectators (reduced to 37441 for international games) and has been designed to bring the crowd as close as possible to the action on the pitch.
As in all German stadiums, there are plenty of outlets where you can buy food and drink, but you can’t pay with cash. You will need to pick up a pre-paid Werder-Card from one of the many outlets in and around the ground. If you don’t spend all the money on the card you can reclaim it on your way out.
Tickets
You can order tickets from the club website. Everything is in German, but relatively straightforward and easy to understand. Alternatively, you can contact the club by email (tickets@werder.de) or phone (0039 421 43 45 90)
You can either arrange for your tickets to be sent to you or print them yourself using Print@Home.
Prices vary according to the opposition (It will cost more to see Bayern or Schalke than Ingolstadt. The cheapest tickets cost between 12 euros (standing) and 20 euros (seated).
Directions
The Weserstadion is just outside the city centre and you can walk there from the main station in about 40 minutes.
Alternatively, it is easy to get there by public transport – and your ticket gives you free use of all buses and trams to and from the ground on match days.
The most direct route would be to take the tram (Number 10) towards Sebaldsbrück getting out at Bremen Am Hulsberg. The stadium is about ten minutes walk away.
The Weserstadion is the only stadium in Europe that you can get to by boat. Go to Pier 2 on the waterfront to find it.
Colours : Green and white
Derby rivals
Major honours
Bundesliga
Winners : 1964–65, 1987–88, 1992–93, 2003–04
Runners-up : 1967–68, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1994–95, 2005–06, 2007–08
2. Bundesliga
Winners : 1980–81
DFB-Pokal (German Cup)
Winners : 1960–61, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2008–09
Runners-up : 1988–89, 1989–90, 1999–2000, 2009–10
DFB-Ligapokal (German League Cup)
Winners : 2006
Runners-up (: 1999, 2004
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
Winners : 1991–92
UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup
Runners-up : 2008–09
