Bundesliga
Cologne fans gathered at the city’s cathedral for their annual prayer service to ask for divine blessings for the season.
It’s the 11th time that Cologne supporters have come together to seek divine favour for their team – a prayer that has seemingly received mixed responses from up high in recent years.
It worked to their benefit last season as the Billy Goats finished top of the Bundesliga 2 standings to return to the Bundesliga at the first attempt, but three relegations over the past decade show that even prayers can’t always save you in football.
The event is usually held ahead of the team’s first home fixture of the season, but was brought forward to 15 August to coincide with the 777th anniversary of the laying of the cathedral’s foundation stone in 1248.
This year is also the club’s 77th anniversary since forming as a merger between Kölner BC 01 and SpVgg Sülz 07 in 1948.
The liturgy was led by Catholic Cathedral and City Dean Robert Kleine and Protestant City Superintendent Bernhard Seiger, before fans got to sing the club anthem ‘Mer stonn zo dir, FC Kölle’ ('We stand by you, FC Köln'), played on the cathedral organ.
They were also treated to a surprise appearance from local band Bläck Fööss, who penned a new song in honour of the 777th anniversary.
The club had their own special treat planned as they released their third kit for the 2025/26 campaign.
The black and gold design shows off the Dom – the city’s iconic gothic landmark – with €77,777 of proceeds going to support the cathedral. The jersey broke sales records for the Billy Goats and sold out most sizes within hours.
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Under new coach Lukas Kwasniok, the Billy Goats kicked off their season with a 2-1 win away at Jahn Regensburg in the first round of the DFB Cup on Sunday.
They return to the Bundesliga with an away trip to fellow Carnival club Mainz on Sunday 24 August.