BFC Dynamo Berlin

The club was founded in the 1950s as Dynamo Berlin and had strong links to the East German security police (the hated Stasi) and their boss Erich Mielke. This connection ensured the club always got the best players and many believed that referees were ‘persuaded’ to treat them favourably. As a result, the club enjoyed considerable success in the 1970s and 1980s. It won the league ten times and the DDR Cup 3 times and played 60 games in European competitions. Dynamo players were regularly picked to play for the East German national side. But it was the also most unpopular team in the DDR and booing Dynamo was a relatively safe way to express anger against the communist regime. After reunification, a name change to FC Berlin did little to improve the club’s image or popularity. In 1999 members voted to change the name back to BFC Dynamo Berlin, hoping this would remind people of past triumphs and bring back good times. Unfortunately, beset by financial troubles the club has struggled to remain in business, never mind thrive, and has floated between the fourth and fifth tiers of German football.

Fans

For a time in the 1990s Dynamo fans enjoyed the dubious reputation of having the worst hooligans in Germany in their midst, and the club became a magnet for right-wing extremists. Things have calmed down greatly in recent years.

Stadium

BFC Dynamo play at the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, which is to the north of the city. It has the capacity to fit in 19,708 fans, but attendance is rarely above 2,000. If the weather looks doubtful, make sure you have protection against the rain as there is no roofing.

Tickets

Tickets cost between 12 and 18 euros. You will be able to pay at the gate.

Directions

The M10 tram stops directly outside the ground.You can also catch the U8 underground train to Bernauer Straße and walk for five minutes.