Historical Crests SK Sturm Graz

Name: ​ SK Sturm Graz

Nickname(s): Die Schwoazn (The Blacks)

Founded: 1909

Stadium: Merkur Arena

Capacity: ​ 16,364

SK Sturm Graz Crest History

Founded in 1909, SK Sturm Graz originally adopted a simple emblem featuring a black-and-white waving flag with the intertwined initials "SG". The flag symbolised movement, pride and the club's distinctive black-and-white colours, creating a visual identity that would remain central to Sturm Graz throughout its history.

By 1950, the club introduced a circular badge that placed the traditional flag inside a clean black ring bearing the words "SK Sturm Graz" and the founding year 1909. This design strengthened the club's identity while preserving its historic flag motif, which had already become one of the most recognisable symbols in Austrian football.

In 1979, the crest was updated following a sponsorship agreement with Raika. A green background and the sponsor's logo were incorporated beneath the traditional flag, while the club name changed to SK Raika Sturm. Although commercial elements were introduced, the waving black-and-white flag remained the badge's focal point.

A further sponsorship change came in 1991, when Stabil Fenster became the club's principal partner. The circular badge was retained, with the sponsor's name replacing Raika around the edge of the crest. Once again, the historic flag continued to represent the club's identity despite the commercial redesign.

Between 1994 and 2007, Sturm Graz adopted a completely new shield-shaped crest featuring a football above the club name and green sponsor panels carrying the names Stabil Fenster and later Puntigamer. This modern badge reflected the commercial style of football during the 1990s while giving the club a stronger and more contemporary visual identity. During this period, Sturm enjoyed some of the greatest success in its history, making the crest closely associated with the club's golden era.

In 2007, the club began returning to its traditional identity by combining the modern shield with the historic waving flag. Two years later, a special 100th anniversary crest was introduced, featuring a gold laurel wreath surrounding the classic circular badge to celebrate the club's centenary.

From 2010, Sturm Graz moved even closer to its historic roots by reintroducing the circular flag crest with only minor modern refinements. The sponsorship banner was retained briefly before being removed entirely in 2013, resulting in the current badge. The modern crest features the iconic black-and-white flag inside a bold black circle bearing the club name and the inscription "Seit 1909" ("Since 1909").

SK Sturm Graz Club History

Founded in 1909, SK Sturm Graz is one of Austria's most historic and successful football clubs. Established in the city of Graz by a group of students, the club adopted its famous black-and-white colours from the very beginning, earning the nickname "Die Schwoazn" ("The Blacks") in the local Styrian dialect. Although the club initially spent many years building its reputation, Sturm gradually established itself as one of the leading teams outside Vienna.

The most successful period in the club's history came during the 1990s under legendary coach Ivica Osim. Playing an attractive, disciplined style of football, Sturm won its first Austrian Bundesliga title in 1998, successfully defended the championship in 1999, and completed a domestic double by adding the Austrian Cup. During this golden era, the club featured outstanding players including Ivica Vastić, Mario Haas, Hannes Reinmayr, and Roman Mählich, establishing itself as Austria's strongest side at the end of the decade.

Sturm Graz also achieved remarkable success in European competitions during this period. The club qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage on three consecutive occasions between 1998 and 2001, reaching the second group stage in the 2000–01 season after impressive performances against some of Europe's top clubs. These campaigns significantly raised the club's international profile and remain among the greatest achievements in Austrian club football.

Following financial difficulties in the early 2000s, Sturm entered a period of rebuilding but remained one of Austria's leading clubs. The team returned to the top by winning the Austrian Bundesliga in 2011 under coach Franco Foda, while also lifting several Austrian Cups, demonstrating the club's ability to compete consistently despite increased competition from Red Bull Salzburg.

In recent years, Sturm Graz has re-established itself as the strongest challenger to Salzburg's domestic dominance. Under Christian Ilzer, the club combined an exciting, high-pressing style with outstanding player development, winning the Austrian Cup in 2023 and 2024 before securing the 2023–24 Austrian Bundesliga title, ending Salzburg's run of ten consecutive league championships. Sturm also returned to the UEFA Champions League, confirming its place among Central Europe's leading clubs.

SK Sturm Graz's greatest rivalry remains with Grazer AK in the Graz Derby, although meetings with Rapid Wien, Austria Wien, and particularly Red Bull Salzburg have become some of the most significant fixtures in Austrian football due to their importance in the race for domestic honours. 

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