About

Hertha, Berliner Sport-Club e. V., founded on 1 January 1892, are based in Berlin and currently play in the 2. Bundesliga. The club, widely known in German as Die Alte Dame and in English as The Old Lady, has a long recorded kit history and a strong collectors’ market for signed football shirts; historic items and contemporary retail signatures are available on Walkouts.

Hertha were a founding member of the German Football Association in Leipzig and have played home fixtures at the Olympiastadion since 1963. The team claimed two German championships in the early 1930s and later reached continental competition, including a Champions League group stage appearance. The IFFHS lists the club at rank 501, a single-line reference used here for context in historic comparisons.

For collectors the club’s narrative is important. Special releases after 1970 are tracked closely by enthusiasts, with centenary material and later anniversary marks treated as distinct catalogue items. Hertha’s 1892 origins and its later administrative split into a professional company in 2002 add provenance lines that help establish continuity on shirts and crests.

Anniversary releases post-1970 are especially sought after. The 1992 centenary crest and run, noted for its commemorative badge, and the 2012 120 Jahre mark both appear in specialist checklists. Those anniversary shirts are valued for original crests and limited print runs, and they are often the entry point for new collectors of the club.

Seasonal magnets include the 1930-31 title season, the deep UEFA Cup run of 1978-79, and the European exposure of 1999-2000, all seasons that produce high demand for period shirts. Iconic away sets, most notably the white away set used in the 1999-2000 Champions League campaign, are chased because they link to decisive continental fixtures and clearer match photography that helps confirm authenticity.

Fans also collect signed retail shirts, not only match-worn examples; early runs, player-issue variants and region-specific retail releases are documented by sellers and provenance notes. The club’s retail signatures and regional fanshop editions often surface with a 1992 centenary provenance tag and are commonly offered with COA style verification or comparable documentation, which helps buyers assess authenticity and supply history.

Specialist collectors prize shirts tied to cup runs and landmark seasons, and items connected to the 1978-79 UEFA Cup semi-finals or the 1999-2000 white away Champions League campaign attract particular attention for match association and photographic evidence. Provenance related to the Olympiastadion, the Berlin derby narrative and early Leipzig founding records is often referenced in listings to contextualise the shirt’s story, and you will find framed and signed retail pieces from these seasons at trusted vendors and on Walkouts.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 1930–31 Blue/white German Championship back-to-back titles
  • 1978–79 Blue/white UEFA Cup semi-finalists
  • 1999–2000 Blue/white Champions League group stage

Iconic away kits

  • 1999–2000 White Champions League away set
  • 2009–10 Yellow Europa League away
  • 2013–14 Black Bundesliga away

Anniversary shirts

  • 1992 Centenary 1892–1992 crest
  • 2012 120 Jahre special mark

Collector seasons

  • 1930–31 German champions historic peak
  • 1978–79 UEFA Cup semi-finals
  • 1999–2000 Champions League groups

Honours

Hertha BSC hold a proud place in German football history as German champions in 1930 and 1931, achievements that remain defining landmarks for the club known as Die Alte Dame. In continental competition, memorable campaigns include a deep run to the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1978-79 and participation in the Champions League group stage in 1999-2000, signalling periods when Berlin’s side mixed effectively with Europe’s elite. Domestic consistency across eras has often centred on the Olympiastadion, the club’s home since 1963, where league and cup pursuits have unfolded in front of a loyal following. While modern seasons have brought changing fortunes, Hertha’s trophy cabinet and European nights underscore a club with enduring reach. In independent metrics, the club is listed with an IFFHS rank of 501, reflecting a global footprint within UEFA’s sphere. Together, these milestones frame a tradition-rich institution with headline honours and notable European credentials.

Legends & Leadership

Michael Preetz is remembered as a legend player from the late 1990s, leading the line with know-how and presence during a period when Hertha reasserted itself at the highest level. His goals and movement embodied an attacking focal point that supporters in Berlin long appreciated.

Marcelinho stands out as a recent key player of the 2000s, bringing flair and creativity that lifted Hertha’s forward play. His vision and technique helped shape a side capable of competing with major domestic rivals and leaving a mark in European competitions.

Arne Friedrich is noted as a recent key player from the 2000s, anchoring the defence with authority and calm. His leadership at the back provided structure and reliability, qualities that underpinned consistent league performances across that decade.

Otto Rehhagel is cited as a legendary manager of the early 2010s, lending vast experience and steady guidance to the club. His tenure offered stability and a clear voice, aligning squad effort with a pragmatic, results-focused approach.

Stadium

Hertha BSC call the historic Olympiastadion home, a venue also known as the Berlin Olympic Stadium, which the club has used since 1963. The ground’s imposing architecture and wide bowl create a grand stage for league fixtures and cup ties alike, with blue-and-white colours prominent in the stands. Matchdays build from a measured pre-game ritual to a full-throated roar, especially when the Berlin derby arrives and 1. FC Union Berlin cross the city, intensifying the atmosphere with a rivalry that resonates across the capital. The stadium’s Olympic heritage gives a distinctive sense of occasion, while its spacious footprint accommodates large followings and elaborate tifos. Whether under floodlights or on crisp winter afternoons, the Olympiastadion remains central to Hertha’s identity, a constant backdrop to the club’s fortunes and a meeting point for generations of supporters.

Capacity
74475
Local derby
Berlin derby 1. FC Union Berlin city rivalry

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification DFB vs UEFA patches differ
  • Suppliers Nike/Adidas/Under Armour eras; verify
  • Provenance 1979 shirts scarce

FAQ

Q: When was Hertha BSC founded and where is the club based? A: The club was founded in 1892 and is based in Berlin, Germany.

Q: Which division does Hertha BSC currently compete in? A: Hertha BSC plays in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of German football.

Q: What is Hertha BSC's home ground? A: Home matches are played at the Olympiastadion, also known as the Berlin Olympic Stadium, a venue the club has used since 1963.

Q: Do your signed items come with proof of authenticity and how do you ship? A: Yes, every signed item is accompanied by a COA or LOA for verification; Free worldwide shipping.