Arminia Bielefeld

{{Main|List of Arminia Bielefeld seasons}}

File:Arminia Bielefeld Logo 1905–1922.svg

Arminia Bielefeld was founded on 3 May 1905 as 1. Bielefelder FC Arminia.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=18 }} The fourteen men who founded the club were from the local bourgeoisie. Arminia's name derives from the Cheruscan chieftain Arminius, who defeated a Roman army in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Two weeks later, the club played its first match against a team from Osnabrück. Neither the name of the opponent nor the result are known. The club was admitted to the German Football Association in the same year and started to play in a league (in one consisting only of Arminia and three teams from Osnabrück, at first) in 1906.{{cite web |url=http://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-statistik-tabellen-1906-1945.html |title=Arminia Bielefeld Statistik: Tabellen 1906 bis 1945 |language=de |work=blaue-daten.de |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191742/http://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-statistik-tabellen-1906-1945.html |url-status=live }} In 1907, local rivals FC Siegfried joined Arminia, a move which strengthened Arminia's squad.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=20 }} Soon other clubs from Bielefeld joined League football.

After playing on various grounds, Arminia moved to a new home at the Pottenau in 1910. Their first league championship came during the 1912–13 season, when they won the Westphalian championship beating BV 04 Dortmund 5–1 in the final.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=22 }} The outbreak of World War I interrupted Arminia's rise, and between 1914 and 1918 the club played at the district level.

In 1919, Arminia merged with Bielefelder Turngemeinde 1848 to form TG Arminia Bielefeld. However, the two merged teams dissolved the merger in 1922 and both parent clubs were formed again. Arminia won the West German championship in 1922. Originally, they were level on points with Kölner BC 01, but Köln fielded an ineligible player in one match.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Arminia played for the first time in the German Championships, but were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing 5–0 to FC Wacker München. In 1923, Arminia won their second West German championship in a dramatic way.{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} They trailed TuRU Düsseldorf 3–1 at half time of the final, but came from behind to win 4–3 after extra time. Arminia faced Union Oberschöneweide in the quarter-finals of the German championships. The match ended goalless, so a replay was held. Arminia led 1–0 and conceded the equalizer in injury time. The Berlin side won the match after extra time.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=28 }} Walter Claus-Oehler became Arminia's first player to win a cap in the German national team. Arminia won further Westphalian titles from 1924 to 1927, but were unable to repeat their success in the West German Championships. An away match against SC Preußen Münster in November 1925, which Arminia won 5–0, was the first football match to be broadcast on German Radio. On 30 January 1926, the club took its current name Deutscher Sportclub Arminia Bielefeld. Their next piece of silverware was won in 1932 by winning the Westphalian cup.

In 1933, Arminia qualified for the Gauliga Westfalen,{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=31 }} from which they were relegated after the inaugural season. Three attempts of gaining promotion failed before their return to the top flight was won in 1938. Their best performance in the Gauliga was the 1939–40 campaign, where Arminia finished second. Two years later, Arminia was one of only two teams to win a match at Schalke 04. On 25 July 1943 Arminia merged with local rivals VfB 03 Bielefeld. The merger finished the 1943–44 season in last place.

File:Arminia Performance Chart.png

After World War II, a new league with all teams who competed in the Gauliga Westfalen was formed. Arminia were relegated and were unable to win re-promotion. In 1947–48, Arminia were a third division side for the first time in their history. After a dominating season in the Bezirksklasse,{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} Arminia was docked 14 points because they fielded an ineligible player.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=50 }} The next season was already under way when the Landesliga (II) was expanded by two teams. Arminia took their chance,{{tone inline|date=January 2024}} won the league and gained promotion to the Oberliga West.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=51 }}

Arminia's time in the Oberliga lasted only one season. Arminia beat Schalke 04 4–2 at home but finished only second from the bottom.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=52 }} In 1954, Arminia were even relegated to the third tier, the "Landesliga Westfalen, Gruppe Ostwestfalen", a league only covering the north-eastern part of Westphalia. In 1956, Arminia qualified for a new third tier, the "Verbandsliga Westfalen, Gruppe Ostwestfalen", which encompassed a slightly larger area.{{cite web |title=Alle Ligaplazierungen seit Gründung des Vereins |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-saison-platzierungen.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=15 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616181941/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-saison-platzierungen.html |url-status=live }}

In 1962 Arminia become a second division side again (then: 2. Liga West, covering the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia). In 1962–63 they finished in seventh place to secure a spot in the newly formed Regionalliga West, which was situated directly below the new Bundesliga.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=58 }}

Arminia finished their first season in mid-table, but recorded a top-half finish in four of the following five seasons. In 1966, Arminia beat Alemannia Aachen to win the West German Cup for the first time. The following year, the forward Ernst Kuster joined the team. He went on to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer, until Fabian Klos beat his record more than half a century later. A 1–0 loss to Wuppertaler SV on the last day of the 1966–67 season stopped Arminia entering the Bundesliga promotion play-offs.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=60 }} Arminia were runners-up in the 1969–70 season, and won their first promotion to the Bundesliga after a 2–0 win at Tennis Borussia Berlin in the play-offs.{{cite web |last1=Wagner |first1=Bernd J. |title=27. Juni 1970: Arminia Bielefeld steigt zum ersten Mal in die Bundesliga auf |url=https://historischer-rueckklick-bielefeld.com/2020/06/01/01062020/ |website=historischer-rueckklick-bielefeld.com |access-date=29 June 2025 |language=German}}

{{see also|Bundesliga scandal (1971)}}Halfway through their first Bundesliga season, Arminia were in 17th place, a relegation position, but went on to finish the season in 14th.{{cite web |title=Saisonverlauf in der Bundesliga 1970/71 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-1971.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318215332/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-1971.html |url-status=live }} However, near the end of the season, Horst-Gregorio Canellas revealed that Arminia had engaged in match-fixing; three of the ten Bundesliga games proven by the DFB to have been manipulated through bribery directly involved Arminia.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Two players at the club were banned from football for life (Waldemar Słomiany and Jürgen Neumann).{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Arminia participated in the 1971–72 Bundesliga season while the investigation was ongoing, but were ultimately found guilty of match-fixing by the DFB and were denied a licence and forcibly relegated at the conclusion.{{cite web |title=Bundesliga Tabelle 1971/72 |url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/tabelle/1971-72 |website=Kicker |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614062457/https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/tabelle/1971-72 |url-status=live }} Arminia finished mid-table in the following seasons, but did qualify for the newly formed 2. Bundesliga in 1974.

After returning to the 2. Bundesliga in 1974, Arminia became Herbstmeister during the 1976–77 2. Bundesliga season, but finished as runners-up behind St. Pauli and faced 1860 Munich in a two-legged promotion play-off. Arminia won the first match at home 4–0, but lost the second leg in Munich, also 4–0. A third match had to be played in Frankfurt, which Munich won 2–0.{{cite book |author=Kirschneck, Uhlig |title=Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft |page=79 }}

The team recovered to win promotion to the Bundesliga for the 1978–79 season. Under the management of Otto Rehhagel, they won 4–0 at Bayern Munich on 10 March 1979,{{cite web

|url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/bundesliga/1979/22/bmuenchen-bielefeld/ |title=Spielstatistik FC Bayern München – Arminia Bielefeld 0:4 (0:2) |access-date=24 August 2008 |publisher=Fussballdaten |language=de | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080926144823/http://www.fussballdaten.de/bundesliga/1979/22/bmuenchen-bielefeld/| archive-date= 26 September 2008 | url-status= live}} but finished in 16th place, unable to avoid relegation. The club kept the team together and were immediately promoted back to the Bundesliga after a record-breaking 1979–80 season. They won 30 of 38 matches, scored 120 goals, had a 28 match unbeaten streak and set a league record by beating Arminia Hannover 11–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/zweiteliga/nord/1980/ |title=Tabelle der 2. Bundesliga Nord 1979–80 nach dem 38.Spieltag |access-date=24 August 2008 |publisher=Fussballdaten |language=de |archive-date=17 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517130457/http://www.fussballdaten.de/zweiteliga/nord/1980/ |url-status=live }}

Arminia had difficulty avoiding relegation, but stayed in the Bundesliga for five years. This period included two eighth-place finishes at the end of the 1982–83 and 1983–84 seasons, which remain Arminia's best finshes in the Bundesliga. Arminia also took part in the UEFA Intertoto Cup three times.

In August 1981, the Arminia Bielefeld midfielder Ewald Lienen was the victim of what the press referred to as "the most brutal foul in Bundesliga history".{{cite web |title=Das brutalste Foul der Bundesligageschichte |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/gallery109844277/Das-brutalste-Foul-der-Bundesligageschichte.html |website=Welt.de |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321170758/https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/gallery109844277/Das-brutalste-Foul-der-Bundesligageschichte.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Muras |first1=Udo |title=Das Horror-Foul der Bundesliga |url=https://www.sport1.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/2020/10/das-brutalste-foul-der-liga-siegmann-schliesst-bei-lienen-den-oberschenkel-auf |website=Sport1.de |date=5 October 2020 |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616182014/https://www.sport1.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/2020/10/das-brutalste-foul-der-liga-siegmann-schliesst-bei-lienen-den-oberschenkel-auf |url-status=live }} Werder Bremen's defender Norbert Siegmann slashed Lienen's right thigh in a tackle, exposing his muscles and femur.{{cite web |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/;art272,1915861 |title=Die Jahre danach waren nicht einfach |access-date=24 August 2008 |work=Der Tagesspiegel |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827185808/http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/;art272,1915861 |archive-date=27 August 2007 |url-status=dead }} Attendances declined in the mid-1980s, increasing the club's financial problems.{{cite web |title=Zuschauerschnitt seit 1962 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-zuschauer-saison.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German}} In 1984–85, Arminia finished third from bottom, and lost a relegation play-off against 1. FC Saarbrücken.{{cite web |title=1. FC Saarbrucken - Arminia Bielefeld, 2:0 |url=https://datencenter.dfb.de/en/data-center/bundesliga-relegation/1984-1985/matches/2032627 |website=datencenter.dfb.de}}

By the autumn of 1987, Arminia had debts of 4.5 million Marks.{{cn|date=June 2025}} In 1987–88 they finished in last place in the 2. Bundesliga and were relegated into the Oberliga Westfalen. Ernst Middendorp became the new manager and assembled a young team for the next season. Arminia finished second in the Oberliga in 1988–89. They won the Oberliga a year later, but failed to advance after promotion play-offs against VfB Oldenburg and TSV Havelse. Four seasons of not qualifying for the 2. Bundesliga promotion play-offs followed, in which the team started well, but were unable to compete for the championship. In 1991, Arminia won the Westphalian Cup, the regional qualification cup for the DFB-Pokal, and beat FSV Mainz 05 in the first round of the 1991–92 DFB-Pokal.

In the spring of 1994, Arminia signed the veteran Bundesliga players Thomas von Heesen, Armin Eck and Fritz Walter. Arminia struggled at first but went on to become champions of the newly formed Regionalliga West/Südwest to end a run of seven seasons in local league football. They were then runners-up in the 1995–96 2. Bundesliga. Arminia signed Stefan Kuntz for the 1996–97 Bundesliga season, their first in 11 years and finished in 14th position.

In 1997, the club signed the first two Iranian Bundesliga players, Ali Daei and Karim Bagheri. The former SK Brann player Geirmund Brendesæter was also signed, and played 13 matches for the club.{{cite web |title=Liste der Bundesliga-Einsätze |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-bundesliga-spieler.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321172934/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-bundesliga-spieler.html |url-status=live }} However, after a poor run after the winter break, Arminia were relegated shortly after Brendesæter had left the club. Bruno Labbadia became the league's top scorer with 28 goals during the 1998–99 season and the club immediately regained promotion to the Bundesliga by winning the 2. Bundesliga. The club entered the 1999–2000 season with a smaller budget due to financial problems and was subsequently relegated after becoming the third team in history to lose ten matches in a row.

Arminia struggled against relegation again the next season but avoided dropping into the Regionalliga with a 13th-place finish.{{cite web |title=2. Bundesliga 2000/2001 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/2-bundesliga-2000-2001-spieltag/34/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=6 July 2025}} The following year, Arminia they won their sixth promotion to the Bundesliga in 2001–02 by finishing second behind Hannover 96, with Artur Wichniarek scoring 18 goals.{{cite web |title=2. Bundesliga 2001/2002 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/2-bundesliga-2001-2002-spieltag/34/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=6 July 2025}}{{cite web |title=Artur Wichniarek - Player profile |url=https://datencenter.dfb.de/en/data-center/people/artur-wichniarek/player |website=datencenter.dfb.de |access-date=6 July 2025 |language=German}} Arminia were unable to avoid relegation the following season, earning only two points from the last six matches.{{cite web |title=Bundesliga Table 2002/03 |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/table/2002-2003?view=full |website=bundesliga.com |access-date=6 July 2025}}{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld Fixtures and Results 2002/2003 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/arminia-bielefeld/2003/3/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=6 July 2025}} Arminia's tendency to move frequently between divisions during and since this period has led to them being described as a Fahrstuhlmannschaft, or yo-yo club.{{cite web |last1=Merrill |first1=Max |title=Arminia Bielefeld - die Fahrstuhlmannschaft ist zurück |url=https://www.dw.com/de/arminia-bielefeld-die-fahrstuhlmannschaft-ist-zur%C3%BCck/a-54961589 |website=dw.com |access-date=6 July 2025 |language=German |date=18 September 2020}}

The team earned promotion to the Bundesliga again in 2003–04, with the Ghanaian striker Isaac Boakye scoring 14 goals in his debut season.{{Cite web|title=2. Bundesliga 2003/2004 – Torschützenliste|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/torjaeger/2-bundesliga-2003-2004/|access-date=19 May 2021|website=weltfussball.de|language=de|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505161233/http://www.weltfussball.de/torjaeger/2-bundesliga-2003-2004/|url-status=live}} They stayed in the top flight until 2009. In 2004–05, Patrick Owomoyela became Arminia's most capped German player with his third appearance for the national team.{{cite web |title=Bielefelds A-Nationalspieler |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-nationalspieler-a.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321193244/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-nationalspieler-a.html |url-status=live }} Owomoyela went on to appear in six internationals while at Bielefeld, a club record. Owomoyela and Delron Buckley, who scored of 15 Bundesliga goals during the 2004–05 season, left the club in 2005. Arminia reached the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal in both 2005 and 2006, losing to Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. The campaign "Aktion 5000 +" began to increase club membership beyond their 5,000th member, after reaching this milestone at the end of 2005.{{cite web |title=Rubenbauer wirbt für Arminia |url=https://www.nw.de/sport/fussball/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/saison_05_06/766444_Rubenbauer-wirbt-fuer-Arminia.html |website=Neue Westfalische |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321193243/https://www.nw.de/sport/fussball/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/saison_05_06/766444_Rubenbauer-wirbt-fuer-Arminia.html |url-status=live }}

Arminia finished 13th in the Bundesliga in both 2004–05 and 2005–06. Players from this team subsequently left the club, including Fatmir Vata and Heiko Westermann in 2007, and Mathias Hain, Sibusiso Zuma and Petr Gabriel in 2008. Under Ernst Middendorp, Arminia avoided relegation during the 2006–07 season after winning four consecutive matches towards the end of the season. The 2007 demolition of the East Stand drew the attention of fans and the local media, with the club establishing a webcam to follow the project, as well as a daily attendance of roughly 300 fans to witness the works.{{cite web |title=Der öffentliche Abriss einer Tribüne |url=https://www.nw.de/nachrichten/thema/2867446_Der-oeffentliche-Abriss-einer-Tribuene.html |website=Neue Westfalische |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025}} The East Stand was notable at the time as being the last touchline terraced stand.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

The 2007–08 season began with three wins in the first five matches,{{cite web |title=Saisonverlauf in der Bundesliga 2007/08 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-2008.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321193243/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-2008.html |url-status=live }} but three matches later Arminia recorded their second largest Bundesliga defeat when they lost 8–1 away to Werder Bremen.{{cite web |title=Vermischtes-Rekorde-Hoechste SiegeNiederlagen |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-vermischtes-rekorde-hoechste-siege-niederlagen.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German}} Relegation was avoided on the final day of the season as 1. FC Nürnberg lost at home while Arminia drew against VfB Stuttgart. The following season, Arminia finished in last place and were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.

File:Ewald Lienen.JPG

Rüdiger Kauf, Dennis Eilhoff, Jonas Kamper and Radim Kučera remained a part of the squad for the 2009–10 2. Bundesliga season. On 16 March 2010, Arminia were deducted four points for breaching the DFL's licensing regulations, and finished the season in seventh place.{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/de/2bundesliga/news/finanzhilfe-fuer-bielefeld-und-abzug-von-drei-punkten_0000180907.jsp |title=DFL: Strafe gegen Bielefeld |access-date=12 March 2023 |language=de |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312130519/https://www.bundesliga.com/de/2bundesliga/news/finanzhilfe-fuer-bielefeld-und-abzug-von-drei-punkten_0000180907.jsp |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Saisonverlauf in der 2. Liga 2009/10 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-2010.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321193244/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-2010.html |url-status=live }} The financial situation worsened, especially as costs for constructing the East Stand had proven to be much higher than originally planned.{{cite web |url=https://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga2/2-bundesliga-lizenz-fuer-arminia-akut-gefaehrdet_aid_504243.html |title=Lizenz für Arminia akut gefährdet |publisher=Focus |date=2 May 2010 |access-date=12 March 2023 |language=de |archive-date=22 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822202432/http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga2/2-bundesliga-lizenz-fuer-arminia-akut-gefaehrdet_aid_504243.html |url-status=live }} The coach, the managing director and the president were replaced in the summer. The 2010–11 season started with Arminia in last place after 11 matches, with only four points.{{cite web |title=Saisonverlauf in der 2. Liga 2010/11 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-2011.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621144520/https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-liga-saison-verlauf-2011.html |url-status=live }} In November, their manager Christian Ziege was replaced by Ewald Lienen, the former Bielefeld player and member of the fan-voted "Best XI" of all time. However, Arminia picked up 16 points and won only four games all season, resulting in a last-place finish and relegation to the 3. Liga.

File:Ortega, Stefan BIE 13-14.JPG in the 2013–14 season]]

For the 2011–12 season, a new team was formed with players including Patrick Platins, Manuel Hornig, Tom Schütz, Sebastian Hille, Thomas Hübener, Patrick Schönfeld, Johannes Rahn and Fabian Klos. Stefan Ortega Moreno joined from the club's youth team. After a poor start,{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} they finished 13th but won the Westphalia Cup, beating Preußen Münster in the final. This qualified Arminia for the 2012–13 DFB-Pokal, where they beat the 2. Bundesliga team SC Paderborn 07, but lost in the second round against Bayer Leverkusen. On 11 May 2013, Bielefeld beat VfL Osnabrück 1–0 to guarantee a top two finish and promotion back to the 2. Bundesliga for the 2013–14 season.

In 2013–14, Arminia qualified for the second round of the DFB-Pokal again, but declining league form led their coach Stefan Krämer – the first manager to have held office for more than two years since 2004 – to depart. Under his successor, Norbert Meier, Arminia finished 16th, and lost a relegation play-off against SV Darmstadt 98 on away goals after a late extra-time goal.

In the 2014–15 DFB-Pokal, as a 3. Liga club, Arminia defeated three Bundesliga teams (Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach) to reach the semi-finals, where they lost to Wolfsburg. They also gained promotion back to the 2. Bundesliga after a 2–2 draw against Jahn Regensburg and went on to secure the title in their last match.

In 2015–16 Arminia lost in the first round of the DFB-Pokal and recorded 18 draws in the league. Their 4–2 win over Greuther Fürth, only their third win at home that season, ensured survival in a season when they finished 12th and drew away against the league's top three teams. After the season, the coach Norbert Meier was bought by SV Darmstadt 98. Two managers were sacked in the 2016–17 season{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} but Arminia avoided relegation as they finished in 15th after a 6–0 win over promotion candidates Eintracht Braunschweig and a 1–1 draw against Dynamo Dresden in their last two matches. They reached the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal where they lost to Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 2017–18 season turned out easier as Arminia finished fourth. The club also lowered its debts through an alliance of sponsors{{cite web | url = http://www.nw.de/sport/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/22033132_Arminia-stellt-Sanierungsplaene-im-Detail-vor-Wir-berichten-im-Liveticker.html | title = Sanierungspläne: Arminia soll in fünf Jahren schuldenfrei sein | date = 17 January 2018 | access-date = 25 May 2018 | website = Neue Westfälische | language = de | archive-date = 20 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180120063036/http://www.nw.de/sport/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/22033132_Arminia-stellt-Sanierungsplaene-im-Detail-vor-Wir-berichten-im-Liveticker.html | url-status = live }} and Fabian Klos replaced Ernst Kuster as the club's all-time top scorer.{{cite web | url = http://www.lz.de/sport/22125021_90.3-Arminias-Klos-setzt-dem-Wahnsinn-die-Krone-auf.html | title = 90.+3! Arminias Klos setzt dem Wahnsinn die Krone auf | date = 27 April 2018 | access-date = 4 March 2023 | website = Lippische Landeszeitung | language = de | archive-date = 9 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210209063332/http://www.lz.de/sport/22125021_90.3-Arminias-Klos-setzt-dem-Wahnsinn-die-Krone-auf.html | url-status = live }} In November 2018, the club sold its stadium.{{cite web | url = https://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/2018/11/12/arminia-schliesst-sanierung-mit-stadionverkauf-erfolgreich-ab-und-ist-netto-finanzschuldenfrei/ | title = Arminia schließt Sanierung mit Stadionverkauf erfolgreich ab und ist netto-finanzschuldenfrei | date = 12 November 2018 | access-date = 24 March 2019 | website = Arminia Bielefeld | language = de | archive-date = 13 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181113075443/https://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/2018/11/12/arminia-schliesst-sanierung-mit-stadionverkauf-erfolgreich-ab-und-ist-netto-finanzschuldenfrei/ | url-status = dead }} In 2018–19 season Arminia finished seventh in the league after their coach Jeff Saibene was replaced by Uwe Neuhaus, but lost 3–0 at home against MSV Duisburg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.

File:Union-Trainer Uwe Neuhaus vor Anpfiff (10315274593).jpg

The 2019–20 season saw an improvement, as the club won the 2. Bundesliga and equalled the record for most promotions to the Bundesliga with their eighth promotion, a record they hold jointly with 1. FC Nürnberg.{{cite web |title=Bundesliga club-by-club historical guide: Arminia Bielefeld |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/arminia-bielefeld-club-by-club-historical-guide-24187 |website=Bundesliga.com |publisher=ESPN |access-date=29 June 2025}} An early-season 2–0 victory away against Hannover 96 moved them to third in the table, and they occupied the second promotion place when they met Schalke in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on October 2019. After Schalke led by three goals, Arminia scored twice in the last twenty minutes and almost forced extra time but eventually lost 3–2.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/bielefeld-gegen-schalke-2019-dfb-pokal-4610040/analyse | title = 3:2 in Bielefeld: Schalke zittert sich ins Achtelfinale | date = 29 October 2019 | access-date = 3 October 2020 | website = kicker | language = de | archive-date = 12 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201012204919/https://www.kicker.de/4610040/analyse/arminia-bielefeld/fc-schalke-04 | url-status = live }} They moved top of the league in December, ahead of other promotion candidates including Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart. After Arminia's 1–1 draw in Stuttgart on 9 March 2020, the season was interrupted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they finished as champions with 68 points, ten more than second-placed Stuttgart, having lost only two league matches all season.{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/2019-20/34|title=34. Spieltag 2. Bundesliga 2019/2020|website=Kicker|access-date=3 October 2020|language=de|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001185613/https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/2019-20/34|url-status=live}}

In the 2020–21 season, Arminia were the team with the lowest budget in the Bundesliga.{{cn|date=July 2025}} In March 2021, their manager Uwe Neuhaus was replaced by Frank Kramer.{{cite web |author=Michael Richter |url=https://www.kicker.de/arminia-bielefeld-trennt-sich-von-trainer-neuhaus-798582/artikel |title=Arminia Bielefeld trennt sich von Trainer Neuhaus |date=1 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=kicker |language=de |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312112708/https://www.kicker.de/arminia-bielefeld-trennt-sich-von-trainer-neuhaus-798582/artikel |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/2021/03/01/dsc-arminia-entbindet-neuhaus-und-nemeth-von-ihren-aufgaben/ |title=DSC Arminia entbindet Neuhaus und Nemeth von ihren Aufgaben |date=1 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=arminia-bielefeld.de |language=de |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301155338/https://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/2021/03/01/dsc-arminia-entbindet-neuhaus-und-nemeth-von-ihren-aufgaben/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/2021/03/02/frank-kramer-ist-neuer-arminia-cheftrainer/ |title=Frank Kramer ist neuer Arminia-Cheftrainer |date=2 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=arminia-bielefeld.de |language=de |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303000917/https://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/2021/03/02/frank-kramer-ist-neuer-arminia-cheftrainer/ |url-status=dead }} A 2–0 win over VfB Stuttgart on the final match secured their spot in the 2021–22 Bundesliga, but they finished that season in 17th place and were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. In the 2022–23 season, Arminia finished 16th and lost the relegation play-off to Wehen Wiesbaden, recording consecutive relegations. In their fourth season in the 3. Liga in 2023–24, the captain Fabian Klos announced his retirement from professional football to end his 13-year career with the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.arminia.de/neues/schlagzeilen/detail/fabian-klos-beendet-im-sommer-seine-aktive-karriere |title=FABIAN KLOS BEENDET IM SOMMER SEINE AKTIVE KARRIERE |language=German |trans-title=Fabian Klos ends his active career in summer |publisher=arminia.de |date=12 January 2024 |accessdate=13 May 2024 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114141147/https://www.arminia.de/neues/schlagzeilen/detail/fabian-klos-beendet-im-sommer-seine-aktive-karriere |url-status=live }}

In 2025, the team reached the final of the DFB-Pokal for the first time after defeating the holders Bayer Leverkusen 2–1. They were the first third division club to reach the final since 2001, and the first such team to knock out four higher ranked Bundesliga teams in one season.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=Third-tier Bielefeld stuns Leverkusen in German Cup upset, beats defending champ 2-1 to reach final |url=https://apnews.com/article/leverkusen-bielefeld-german-cup-fd0cc72bd4968cf9f7aa2f82cda25940 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Third-tier side stun defending champions |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c5ymy34r1mzt |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld beat Bayer Leverkusen to reach cup final – DW – 04/01/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/arminia-bielefeld-beat-bayer-leverkusen-to-reach-cup-final/a-72110701 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=dw.com |language=en}} Their American captain Mael Corboz in particular received international attention.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title='It seems quite improbable' - American Mael Corboz, largely anonymous in his home country, is somehow leading German third-tier side Arminia Bielefeld to Cup glory {{!}} Goal.com US |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/it-seems-quite-improbable-american-midfielder-mael-corboz-largely-anonymous-in-his-home-country-is-somehow-leading-german-third-tier-side-arminia-bielefeld-to-cup-glory/blt34802be8c97c35b2 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Stafford-Bloor |first=Sebastian |date=2025-05-22 |title=The journeyman Captain America and an unlikely shot at German Cup glory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6369334/2025/05/22/corboz-arminia-bielefeld-pokal-maryland/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiMHRoZesKc |title=Mael Corboz: The American Captain Leading Underdogs Arminia Bielefeld to DFB-Pokal Final {{!}} CIWYW |date=2025-05-19 |last=CBS Sports Golazo America |access-date=2025-05-26 |via=YouTube}} In May 2025, Arminia secured the 3. Liga title by beating Waldhof Mannheim 1–0 in their final fixture,{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld ist Drittliga-Meister 2024/2025 |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/arminia-bielefeld-ist-drittliga-meister-2024/2025 |website=dfb.de |access-date=3 July 2025 |language=German |date=17 May 2025}} but the following week they lost the DFB-Pokal final 4–2 to Stuttgart.{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld 2-4 Stuttgart |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4g2rn799vet |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=27 June 2025| date=24 May 2025}}

Arminia took the club colours blue, white and black upon their foundation in 1905, but they played their first match in an orange kit.{{cn|date=June 2025}} Arminia's home kit was blue for most of the time, while their shorts and socks were white. The team that played in the Bundesliga in the 1970s wore a blue shirt with thick white stripes.{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld 1970s retro shirt |url=https://www.retrofootball.co.uk/football-shirts/arminia-bielefeld-1970s.html |website=retrofootball.co.uk |access-date=29 June 2025}} The away kit was mostly all white, while green shirts were worn in the 1990s.{{cite web |title=Old Arminia Bielefeld football shirts and jerseys |url=https://www.oldfootballshirts.com/en/teams/a/arminia-bielefeld/old-arminia-bielefeld-football-shirts-t551.html |website=www.oldfootballshirts.com |access-date=29 June 2025}} The club's current colours are black, white and blue.{{cite web |title=Unser Verein |url=https://www.arminia.de/der-dsc/unser-verein |website=DER DSC |publisher=Arminia Bielefeld E.V. |access-date=12 March 2024 |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616182039/https://www.arminia.de/der-dsc/unser-verein |url-status=live }}

The crest consists of a flag with the club's colours, black, white and blue. The white part of the flag includes the letter A for Arminia. The flag is surrounded by a laurel wreath.{{cite web |title=Rückbesinnung auf ein traditionelles Vereinswappen |url=https://www.arminia.de/neues/schlagzeilen/detail/vereinswappen |website=arminia.de |date=10 June 2021 |access-date=22 July 2024 |language=German}}

Arminia Bielefeld Logo 1905–1922.svg|

Arminia Bielefeld Logo 1922–1949.svg|

Arminia Bielefeld Logo 1975–2000.svg|

Arminia Bielefeld Logo+Shield 1975–1985.svg|

Sources:{{cite web |title=Trikotsponsoren seit 1975 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-vermischtes-trikot-sponsoren.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323175533/https://blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-vermischtes-trikot-sponsoren.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld Trikot-Historie |url=https://www.footballkitarchive.com/de/arminia-bielefeld-kits/#1970s |website=Football Kit Archive |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318192213/https://www.footballkitarchive.com/de/arminia-bielefeld-kits/#1970s |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=holz4home ist Rückensponsor |url=https://www.arminia.de/neues/schlagzeilen/detail/holz4homer-ist-rueckensponsor-des-dsc |website=Arminia Bielefeld |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318192215/https://www.arminia.de/neues/schlagzeilen/detail/holz4homer-ist-rueckensponsor-des-dsc |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Bielefelder Alm}}

File:Bielefelder Alm.JPG

{{More citations needed section|date=January 2024}}

Arminia played their first home matches at the Kesselbrink in downtown Bielefeld. They moved to a new ground at the Kaiserstraße (today: August-Bebel-Straße) in 1907, and to the Pottenau in 1910. In 1926, Arminia leased a ground from a farmer named Lohmann.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The ground did not look like a football pitch. The club member Heinrich Pahl said that the area looks like an Alm (German for alpine grassland), so the stadium was known as the Alm. Arminia played its first match against Victoria Hamburg on 1 May 1926. The first grandstands were constructed in 1954. When Arminia won promotion to the Bundesliga in 1970, the Alm underwent a general development. A main stand with seats was built and the northern and eastern stands were enlarged. The Alm had a capacity of 30,000 and floodlights were installed. In 1978, a roof was added to the main stands and the other stands were enlarged again. The stadium had a capacity of 35,000 then.

When Arminia was relegated to the Oberliga in 1988, the northern and the southern stand were torn down because both stands did not match the new safety regulations.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=were 'new safety regulations' brought in at this time? or does the Oberliga have better safety regulations than the Bundesliga?}} The eastern stand was also made smaller and a roof was added. The capacity was reduced to about 15,000. After Arminia won promotion to the Bundesliga in 1996, the main and northern stands were demolished and completely rebuilt. The same happened to the south stand in 1999. In 2004, Arminia signed a sponsorship deal with Schüco and the stadium was named SchücoArena. The latest redevelopment saw the Eastern Stand rebuilt in 2008.{{cite web |title=Neue Haupttribüne fertiggestellt |url=https://www.nw.de/sport/fussball/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/saison_07_08/2346527_Neue-Haupttribuene-fertiggestellt.html |website=Neue Westfälische |access-date=12 March 2024 |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616181940/https://www.nw.de/sport/fussball/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/saison_07_08/2346527_Neue-Haupttribuene-fertiggestellt.html |url-status=live }}

The stadium has a capacity of 27,332, including 7,940 terraced spaces and 19,392 seats.{{cite web |url=https://www.arminia.de/der-dsc/schueco-arena |title=SchücoArena |access-date=28 June 2025 |publisher=Arminia Bielefeld |language=de}} Bielefelder Alm was a candidate to host matches of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

File:Aufstieg13 Alm.JPG in 2013]]

{{More citations needed section|date=January 2024}}

Arminia have a large number of loyal supporters.{{according to whom|date=January 2024|reason=many football clubs probably have 'loyal supporters'?}} Even in 2011–12,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=why 'even'? what was special about that time?}} Arminia had an average attendance of 8,930, which was the highest in the 3. Liga. In 2014–15, Arminia had an average attendance of 14,540, which was the second highest in that 3. Liga season. The numbers also show the risen popularity of the 3. Liga.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='The numbers also show the risen popularity'?}} Arminia's matches during the 2013–14 2. Bundesliga were attended by 16,890 on average.{{cite web| website = blaue-daten.de| url = http://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-zuschauer-saison.html| title = Arminia Bielefeld Statistik: Liga: Zuschauer pro Saison| language = de| access-date = 3 October 2015| archive-date = 23 September 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191750/http://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-zuschauer-saison.html| url-status = live}} These numbers only count league matches. Arminia's matches in the 2014–15 DFB-Pokal were attended by 21,763 on average. The core{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} of the fans can be found on the terraces of the Southern Stand.

Arminia's fans come primarily from the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region, itself comprised of two distinct cultural regions (eastern Westphalia and Lippe), with a catchment area of about 100 kilometers around Bielefeld.{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} There are around 140 fan clubs, mostly from Ostwestfalen-Lippe.{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} However, there are fan clubs in Berlin, Stuttgart, London, Birmingham, Taunton, Austria and the Netherlands.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

The team's games are regularly broadcast by local radio station Radio Bielefeld and commentator Ulrich Zwetz.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=Arminia Bielefeld |url=https://www.radiobielefeld.de/sport/arminia-bielefeld.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Radio Bielefeld |language=de |archive-date=28 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228021240/https://www.radiobielefeld.de/sport/arminia-bielefeld.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Radio-Mann Zwetz blickt auf zwei Arminia-Jahrzehnte zurück |url=https://www.nw.de/sport/fussball/dsc_arminia_bielefeld/10867435_Radio-Mann-Zwetz-blickt-auf-zwei-Arminia-Jahrzehnte-zurueck.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Neue Westfälische |language=de}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=Dr. Ulrich Zwetz |url=https://www.radiobielefeld.de/ueber-uns/team/dr-ulrich-zwetz.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Radio Bielefeld |language=de}}

File:Arminia Pauli.jpg]]

There is a traditional rivalry with SC Preußen Münster. The match against them in March 2012, which was the first one taking place in Bielefeld after nearly 20 years, was attended by 21,203 spectators. No other match in the 3. Liga had such a high attendance.{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} One year later, the stadium was nearly sold out in that derby. An earlier rival was VfB 03 Bielefeld from the east of Bielefeld, but the rivalry lessened, and, nowadays,{{when|date=January 2024}} friendly matches between Arminia and VfB Fichte Bielefeld, as the club nowadays is called, take place every year. Another rival is VfL Bochum, especially since the late 90s, and there were "fashion rivalries" with other clubs from the Ruhr, because that area also belongs to Westphalia.{{cite web |publisher=stadionsuche.de |url=http://www.stadionsuche.de/stadioninfo.php?club_id=5 |title=Schüco Arena |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606044510/http://stadionsuche.de/stadioninfo.php?club_id=5 |archive-date=6 June 2012 |url-status=dead }} Many SC Paderborn 07 supporters consider Arminia as their main rival, but Arminia fans generally do not feel the same about them.{{cite news | title = Freunde und Rivalen | language = de | url = https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/fussball-wer-sind-die-freunde-und-rivalen-ihres-lieblingsvereins-a-1219354.html | newspaper = Der Spiegel | date = November 2018 | publisher = Spiegel | access-date = 13 March 2024 | last1 = Pommerenke | first1 = Tim | last2 = Stotz | first2 = Patrick | archive-date = 15 December 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211215170105/https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/fussball-wer-sind-die-freunde-und-rivalen-ihres-lieblingsvereins-a-1219354.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web |author=Jan-H. Grotevent |publisher=FANkultur.com |url=http://www.fankultur.com/blog/rundumbeobachtungen/item/632-derby-ohne-derby |title=Derby ohne Derby |access-date=20 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023082537/http://fankultur.com/blog/rundumbeobachtungen/item/632-derby-ohne-derby |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=dead }} Also the matches against VfL Osnabrück are a small derby (somehow oscillating between friendship and rivalry).{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='somehow oscillating'? how do they oscillate? and why is someone saying 'somehow' here? who is speaking?}} There are friendly relations to the supporters of the Hamburger SV,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='friendly relations to the supporters'? is it that the supporters have 'friendly relations'?}} with both clubs sharing the same colours (black, white and blue), resulting in the chant "Schwarz, weiß, blau – Arminia und der HSV" (Black, white, blue – Arminia and HSV) among supporters of both clubs. For many fans this friendship also involves friendly ties to Hannover 96, whose fans share a friendship with Hamburg as well. The three clubs are sometimes dubbed the "Nordallianz" (Northern Alliance), despite Bielefeld not being located in what is considered northern Germany.

{{updated|11 July 2025}}{{cite web |title=Spieler: DSC Arminia Bielefeld |url=https://www.arminia.de/profis/kader/spieler |website=DSC Arminia Bielefeld |access-date=25 February 2025 |language=de |archive-date=14 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114152815/https://www.arminia.de/profis/kader/spieler |url-status=live }}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player | no= 1 |nat= GER | pos=GK | name= Jonas Kersken}}

{{Fs player | no= 2 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Felix Hagmann}}

{{Fs player | no= 3 |nat= DNK | pos=DF | name= Joel Felix}}

{{Fs player | no= 5 |nat= NOR | pos=DF | name= Jonathan Norbye|other={{small|on loan from RB Leipzig}}}}

{{Fs player | no= 6 |nat= USA | pos=MF | name= Mael Corboz|other=captain}}

{{Fs player | no= 7 |nat= GER | pos=FW | name= Julian Kania}}

{{Fs player | no= 8 |nat= GER | pos=MF | name= Sam Schreck}}

{{Fs player | no= 9 |nat= SUR | pos=FW | name= Jeredy Hilterman}}

{{Fs player | no=10 |nat= GER | pos=MF | name= Marvin Mehlem}}

{{fs player | no=11 |nat= GER | pos=FW | name= Joel Grodowski}}

{{Fs player | no=13 |nat= GER | pos=MF | name= Lukas Kunze}}

{{Fs player | no=18 |nat= GER | pos=GK | name= Leo Oppermann}}

{{Fs player | no=19 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Maximilian Großer}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player | no=20 |nat= AUT | pos=MF | name= Florian Micheler|other={{small|on loan from TSG Hoffenheim}}}}

{{Fs player | no=21 |nat= GER | pos=MF | name= Stefano Russo}}

{{Fs player | no=22 |nat= GER | pos=FW | name= Mika Schroers}}

{{Fs player | no=23 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Leon Schneider}}

{{Fs player | no=24 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Christopher Lannert}}

{{Fs player | no=27 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Benjamin Boakye}}

{{Fs player | no=28 |nat= LVA | pos=FW | name= Roberts Uldriķis}}

{{fs player | no=29 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Tim Handwerker}}

{{Fs player | no=30 |nat= USA | pos=FW | name= Isaiah Young}}

{{Fs player | no=36 |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Justin Lukas}}

{{Fs player | no=37 |nat= GER | pos=MF | name= Noah Sarenren Bazee}}

{{Fs player | no=41 |nat= UKR | pos=GK | name= Artem Zaloha}}

{{Fs end}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player | no= |nat= GER | pos=DF | name= Max Lippert|other={{small|at 1. FC Köln II until 30 June 2026}}}}

{{Fs end}}

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club's formation, a fan poll was taken to determine the club's greatest starting XI, as well as seven substitutes and a manager. The following players were chosen:{{cite web | url = http://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/startseite/verein/historie/dsc-jahrhundertelf/ | title = Die DSC-Jahrhundertelf | language = de | publisher = Arminia Bielefeld | access-date = 3 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161127133039/http://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/startseite/verein/historie/dsc-jahrhundertelf/ | archive-date = 27 November 2016 | url-status = dead }}

The player who has won the most international caps while at the club (from 1997 to 2000) is Karim Bagheri with 28 for Iran.Kirschneck, Uhlig et al., Arminia Bielefeld – 100 Jahre Leidenschaft (2005), p. 222 He and his team-mate Ali Daei were important Iranian players in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. They are the only footballers having taken part in a World Cup's final tournament while playing for Arminia. Other remarkable Arminia players who represented foreign countries while at the club are Pasi Rautiainen, Artur Wichniarek, Markus Weissenberger, Fatmir Vata, Isaac Boakye, Delron Buckley, Sibusiso Zuma, Rowen Fernández, Christopher Katongo, Jonas Kamper, Ritsu Dōan and Alessandro Schöpf.{{cite web|url=http://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-nationalspieler-a-ausland.html|author=Frank Müller|title=Bielefelds ausländische Nationalspieler|publisher=Blaue Daten|language=de|access-date=5 March 2023|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305110411/http://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-nationalspieler-a-ausland.html|url-status=live}}

Four players were capped by Germany during their time with Arminia: Walter Claus-Oehler in 1923, Stefan Kuntz in 1996, Ronald Maul in 1999 and Patrick Owomoyela in 2004 and 2005. He played six matches for Germany in this time and thus holds the record. Some of the most famous former Arminia players played for their national teams only between their times with Arminia (Uli Stein and Jörg Böhme) or after their years with Arminia (Dieter Burdenski, Thomas Helmer, Arne Friedrich, Heiko Westermann and Jonathan Clauss).

• Arminia Bielefeld has never won any major trophies, but they have won some silverware on a minor level.{{cite web |url=http://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/index.php?id=102 |title=Daten & Statistik |language=de |publisher=Arminia Bielefeld |access-date=12 August 2008 |archive-date=12 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212133011/http://www.arminia-bielefeld.de/index.php?id=102 |url-status=live }}

• 2. Bundesliga: (II)
• Champions: 1977–78, 1979–80, 1998–99, 2019–20
• 3. Liga: (III)
• Champions: 2014–15, 2024–25
• Regionalliga West/Südwest: (III)
• Champions: 1994–95
• Oberliga Westfalen: (III)
• Champions: 1989–90

• Western German football championship
• Winners: 1922, 1923

• West German Cup
• Winners: 1966, 1974
• Westphalian Cup
• Winners: 1908, 1932, 1991, 2012, 2013, 2024, 2025
• DFB-Pokal
• Runners-up: 2024–25

{{Updated|19 March 2024|{{cite web |title=Unsere Mannschaft |url=https://www.arminia.de/profis/unser-team |website=Arminia Bielefeld |access-date=19 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319202304/https://www.arminia.de/profis/unser-team |url-status=live }}}}

Source:{{cite web |title=Die Trainer seit 1922 |url=https://www.blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-vermischtes-trainer.html |website=Blaue Daten |access-date=19 March 2024 |language=German |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323174625/https://blaue-daten.de/arminia-bielefeld-vermischtes-trainer.html |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Arminia Bielefeld}}

{{2. Bundesliga}}

{{Bundesliga}}

{{3. Liga}}

{{U19 Bundesliga West}}

{{U17 Bundesliga West}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bielefeld, Arminia}}

Category:Football clubs in Germany

Category:Football clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia

Category:Association football clubs established in 1905

Category:Multi-sport clubs in Germany

Category:1905 establishments in Germany

Category:Sport in Bielefeld

Category:Bundesliga clubs

Category:2. Bundesliga clubs

Category:3. Liga clubs