Historical Crests SK Slavia Praha

Name: ​ ​SK Slavia Praha

Nickname(s): Sešívaní (The Stitched)

Founded: 1892

Stadium: Fortuna Arena (Eden), Prague

Capacity: 19,370

SK Slavia Praha Crest History

Following the communist reorganisation of Czechoslovak sport, SK Slavia Praha adopted the name ZSJ Dynamo Praha in 1949, and a new crest reflected this political change. The circular badge featured the club's traditional red-and-white halves with Slavia's famous red five-pointed star, surrounded by the inscription ZSJ Slavia Dynamo Praha. Although the club's official identity changed, the historic colours and star remained central to the emblem.

In 1953, after another state-imposed reorganisation, the club competed briefly as DSO Dynamo Praha. A completely new circular crest was introduced featuring a large red star on a blue background surrounded by the words DSO Dynamo. Unlike previous Slavia badges, this emblem reflected the standardised identity adopted by clubs belonging to the Dynamo sports association and remained in use for only a single season.

Following a gradual return to its historic traditions, Slavia introduced another crest in 1977 while competing as Tělovýchovná jednota Praha IPS Slavia. The circular badge incorporated green linden leaves, a banner bearing the word Slavia, and the full official club name around the outer ring. Although short-lived, the design symbolised the club's renewed emphasis on its historic identity while still complying with the naming conventions of the socialist era.

In 1978, Slavia unveiled one of the most distinctive crests in its history. The circular badge featured a stylised red football pattern filling the left half, while the right half displayed the club's famous red star on a white background with the word Slavia above and Kopaná below. The simplified design modernised the club's image while preserving its traditional colours and symbolism, remaining closely associated with Slavia throughout the final years of communist Czechoslovakia.

Following the Velvet Revolution, Slavia introduced a completely redesigned crest in 1991. The new shield-shaped badge featured a stylised crown-like top, the club's red-and-white halves and the iconic red star, together with the inscription SK Slavia Praha Fotbal. The redesign symbolised the club's return to its historic identity following the restoration of democracy and accompanied Slavia through the early years of the Czech Republic.

In 1996, the club returned to a classic circular emblem inspired by its historic pre-war badges. The crest displayed the familiar red-and-white halves with the red star at its centre, surrounded by the inscription SK Slavia Praha Fotbal. Simple, elegant and unmistakably Slavia, this version became one of the club's longest-serving crests and accompanied numerous domestic titles, UEFA Champions League campaigns and the club's move to the modern Fortuna Arena.

In 2022, as part of a comprehensive rebranding ahead of the club's 130th anniversary, Slavia introduced a bold minimalist identity. The traditional circular crest was replaced by the club's iconic red five-pointed star as the primary logo, accompanied by two gold stars above it to commemorate 20 Czech league championships. 

SK Slavia Praha Club History

Founded on 2 November 1892, SK Slavia Praha is one of the oldest football clubs in Europe and the oldest professional sports club in the Czech Republic. Originally established by students as the Academic Cycling Department of the Slavia Literary and Rhetorical Society, the club soon expanded into football, playing its first official match in 1896. From the very beginning, Slavia adopted its famous red-and-white colours and the red five-pointed star, symbols that have remained unchanged for well over a century.

During the early twentieth century, Slavia developed into one of Europe's leading clubs under legendary Scottish coach John William Madden, who managed the team for twenty-five years. Madden introduced modern tactical methods that helped Slavia dominate Czech football, winning numerous domestic championships and becoming a regular contender in the prestigious Mitropa Cup, Central Europe's premier international club competition. The club also supplied the backbone of the Czechoslovak national team, with many Slavia players starring in the country's runner-up finish at the 1934 FIFA World Cup. Perhaps the greatest player in the club's history was Josef Bican, whose extraordinary goalscoring record made him one of football's most prolific forwards.

Following the Second World War, Slavia suffered under the communist regime. Like many clubs, it underwent several politically imposed name changes, including Dynamo Praha and TJ Slavia IPS, while also enduring periods of sporting decline and two relegations from the top division. Despite these difficulties, the club retained its loyal support and historic identity, eventually returning to the Czechoslovak First League and remaining one of the country's most respected football institutions.

A new golden era began after the formation of the Czech Republic. In 1995–96, Slavia won its first league championship in 49 years, before reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, defeating clubs including RC Lens and AS Roma. Throughout the following decades, Slavia became a regular participant in European competitions, although financial instability during the late 2000s and early 2010s brought the club close to bankruptcy. The situation changed dramatically after new investment arrived in 2015, allowing Slavia to rebuild both on and off the pitch.

Since then, Slavia has enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history. Under coaches such as Jindřich Trpišovský, the club has won multiple Czech First League titles and Czech Cups, while becoming a regular competitor in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League. Memorable European victories over clubs including Sevilla, Leicester City, Rangers, Roma and Fenerbahçe restored Slavia's reputation as one of Central Europe's strongest clubs. Playing at the modern Fortuna Arena, the club continues to combine domestic success with regular European competition while maintaining one of the country's finest youth academies.

Slavia's greatest rivalry is with AC Sparta Praha, with meetings between the two clubs known as the Prague Derby (Pražské derby). First played in 1896, it is the oldest and most prestigious fixture in Czech football and one of Europe's longest-running club rivalries, reflecting more than a century of competition between the Czech Republic's two most successful clubs. Slavia also shares a historic local rivalry with Bohemians Praha 1905 in the Vršovice Derby.

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