About

1. FSV Mainz 05, founded on 16 March 1905, are a professional club from Mainz, Germany who play in the Bundesliga. The club’s long standing identity in Rhineland-Palatinate is reflected in both on‑pitch moments and fan culture, and signed shirts and memorabilia from key seasons are available to browse at Walkouts for collectors and supporters alike.

The team rose through the leagues to establish itself in the top tier, notably achieving promotion ahead of the 2009-10 season, and the club now plays its home fixtures at the Opel Arena. Mainz operate multiple sports departments beyond football, including handball and table tennis, and their profile has been recognised internationally, with an IFFHS ranking among global clubs.

Collectors prize Mainz shirts for provenance tied to player eras and supplier periods, with a market for fanshop retail issues, early runs and player‑issue variants sold at club stores. Signed retail shirts, not just match-worn items, are explicitly sought after, especially when accompanied by clear provenance such as original release details or serialised retail runs from regional fanshop editions.

Key seasons form the backbone of desire among collectors. The rise during the early 2000s and the Klopp era are milestone narratives, while the long‑term stability in the top flight has produced sought after home and away sets. Despite a modest trophy cabinet and no major national titles, the club’s moments of European qualification and league survival have created distinct collector lanes for season shirts and captain issues.

Iconic kit moments for Mainz include striking red home designs tied to promotion and survival, and a notable away set in white that accompanied the club’s European campaign. The 2011-12 away set, a white strip used in continental fixtures, is cited by collectors for its association with decisive away ties in Europe. Provenance notes frequently reference supplier eras and sleeve badge runs when establishing authenticity for a piece.

Anniversary and commemorative releases are part of Mainz’s collector story, with special centenary material issued in Centenary 2005 featuring a one‑off crest that appeals to collectors of post‑1970 releases. Photographic evidence and match imagery often accompany those limited runs, increasing interest among buyers who value documented provenance over unverified claims.

When tracking specific shirts, season magnets such as 2003-04 and the club’s subsequent European campaigns are routinely mentioned in provenance notes, and many listings include clear imagery and exact photo proof to support signature placement and match use. Available through Walkouts with Free worldwide shipping, these items offer framed and retail signed shirts from notable Mainz seasons including 2003-04 and 2010-11 for serious enthusiasts.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 2003–04 Red 2. Bundesliga promotion
  • 2010–11 Red Bundesliga European qualification
  • 2023–24 Red Bundesliga great escape

Iconic away kits

  • 2011–12 White Europa League away set

Anniversary shirts

  • 2005 Centenary special crest

Collector seasons

  • 2003–04 Promotion Klopp era legacy
  • 2010–11 Bundesliga top-five finish
  • 2023–24 Survival collectors note

Honours

Mainz 05 have carved out a respected place in German football, consolidating in the top tier following their promotion ahead of the 2009-10 season. Sustained participation in the Bundesliga has been the headline domestic achievement, with notable peaks such as 2010-11 when European qualification was secured. While major national cups and continental trophies do not define the club’s history, consistency at Bundesliga level and competitive runs have underpinned its modern profile. The club’s progress is reflected in an IFFHS club ranking of 166, highlighting international recognition of performance across recent years. Local rivalries, particularly with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Rhein-Main derby, add competitive intensity to each campaign. For collectors and historians, seasons like 2003-04 promotion in the second tier during the Klopp era and the 2023-24 great escape stand out as milestones. As Mainz 05 continue to build, the emphasis remains on organised league football and periodic European participation achieved on merit from strong domestic finishes.

Legends & Leadership

André Schürrle is a recent key player of the early 2010s, contributing direct running and goals and featuring in the side that earned European qualification in 2010-11.

Mohamed Zidan is a recent key player of the mid-2000s, remembered for technique and decisive finishing during Bundesliga campaigns that helped raise the club’s profile.

Adam Szalai is a recent key player of the early 2010s, leading the line with aerial strength and link play during seasons of consolidation in the top flight.

Jürgen Klopp is a legendary manager of the 2000s whose tenure is closely associated with the 2003-04 promotion that set the framework for Mainz 05’s modern Bundesliga era.

Stadium

The club’s home is the Mewa Arena in Mainz, the venue that anchors matchday life for supporters across Rhineland-Palatinate. Situated in the city the team represents, the ground provides the kind of atmosphere that turns routine league fixtures into intense occasions. The energy rises further for the Rhein-Main derby against Eintracht Frankfurt, when noise levels reflect a rivalry embedded in regional pride. Bundesliga weekends bring a focused, vocal backing that helps the side draw on familiarity with their pitch. As the club compete in the Bundesliga, the arena hosts high-level opponents from across Germany, and its setting reinforces a strong sense of place for Mainz supporters.

Capacity
33305
Local derby
Rhein-Main derby Eintracht Frankfurt regional

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification DFL sleeve badges by season
  • Suppliers Nike/Kappa eras; verify codes
  • Provenance 10–11 Europa qualifiers documented

FAQ

Q: Which league do Mainz 05 compete in? A: They play in the Bundesliga, the top tier of the German football league system.

Q: When was the club founded and where are they based? A: The club was founded in 1905 and is based in Mainz, Germany.

Q: Who are Mainz 05’s main rivals? A: The main local rivals are Eintracht Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern, with Eintracht Frankfurt contests known as the Rhein-Main derby.

Q: What is the name of their home ground? A: Mainz 05 host home matches at the Mewa Arena in Mainz.

Q: How do you verify authenticity for signed items, and do you ship internationally? A: We use standard industry verification such as COA/LOA or equivalent documented proof; Free worldwide shipping.