Historical Crests FK Austria Wien

Name: ​ FK Austria wien

Nickname(s): Die Veilchen (The Violets)

Founded: 1911

Stadium: Generali Arena

Capacity: ​ 17,656

FK Austria Wien Crest History

Founded in 1911 as Wiener Amateur-Sportverein, the club's first crest featured the intertwined initials "VSA" inside a shield. The elegant monogram reflected the sporting traditions of early twentieth-century Vienna and established the visual identity of one of Austria's most ambitious new football clubs. When the club adopted the name FK Austria Wien in 1926, the violet club colours gradually became its defining characteristic, laying the foundation for the identity that continues today.

In 1969, Austria Wien introduced a modern minimalist crest featuring the intertwined initials "FAK" inside a simple violet circle. The large central "A" represented Austria, while the "F" and "K" were incorporated into the design on either side. The clean, geometric composition reflected contemporary graphic design trends while creating one of the most recognisable identities in Austrian football.

A dramatic departure came in 1975, when the club unveiled a much more elaborate blue-and-gold crest. The badge featured the FAK initials beneath a double-headed eagle, accompanied by footballs and the inscription "Austria W.A.C. Elementar Fussball Klub." Introduced during the club's cooperation with Wiener AC and the sponsorship of Elementar, the ornate design combined sporting, commercial and heraldic elements, but remained in use for only two seasons.

In 1977, Austria Wien returned to a simpler circular crest that would become the club's modern classic. The traditional FAK monogram was placed at the centre, surrounded by the inscription "Fussballklub Austria Wien." The founding year 1911 was split into "19" and "11" on either side of the monogram, while the traditional violet colour once again became the dominant feature. This timeless design remained virtually unchanged for thirty years.

The crest underwent a subtle refinement in 2007. Although the overall composition remained identical, the violet colour was slightly lightened, the typography refined and the outlines simplified to improve visibility across digital media, television and merchandise. The update modernised the badge without altering its instantly recognisable identity.

In 2011, two gold stars were added above the crest to celebrate Austria Wien's domestic success, with each star representing ten Austrian league championships. The badge itself remained unchanged, preserving the iconic design introduced in 1977 while visibly acknowledging the club's place among Austria's most successful football institutions.

FK Austria Wien Club History

Founded in 1911 as Wiener Amateur-Sportverein, FK Austria Wien is one of Austria's most successful and prestigious football clubs. Originally established following a split from the Vienna Cricket and Football Club, the club quickly developed a reputation for technical, attacking football and adopted the distinctive violet colours that would earn its players and supporters the nickname "Die Veilchen" (The Violets).

In 1926, the club officially changed its name to Fußballklub Austria Wien, becoming one of the first Austrian clubs to adopt a professional structure. During the 1930s, Austria established itself among the country's elite, winning several league championships and Austrian Cups while contributing numerous players to the legendary Austrian Wunderteam. The club became renowned for its elegant playing style and emphasis on technical excellence.

Following the Second World War, Austria Wien entered another golden era. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the club regularly challenged for domestic honours, producing legendary players such as Ernst Ocwirk, Herbert Prohaska, Felix Gasselich and Walter Schachner. Austria also became one of Austria's leading representatives in European competitions, enjoying memorable campaigns in both the European Cup and UEFA Cup.

The 1980s proved to be one of the club's most successful decades. Austria Wien won multiple Austrian Bundesliga titles and Austrian Cups, while reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1979 and the European Cup semi-finals in 1979, cementing its reputation as one of Central Europe's strongest clubs during the period.

Although domestic competition became increasingly intense during the 1990s, Austria Wien remained among Austria's leading clubs. Success continued into the new millennium, with league championships in 2003, 2006 and 2013, alongside several Austrian Cup victories. The club also became a regular participant in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying competitions.

One of the defining moments of the modern era came in 2013, when Austria Wien won the Austrian Bundesliga under coach Peter Stöger, securing qualification for the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League group stage. The club became only the second Austrian side after Rapid Wien to reach the Champions League group stage under the modern format.

Austria Wien's greatest rivalry is with Rapid Wien, with meetings between the two clubs forming the famous Vienna Derby (Wiener Derby), Austria's oldest and most prestigious football rivalry. Matches against Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg have also become major fixtures due to their importance in the battle for domestic honours.

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