Grazer AK

Grazer AK – Club History

Grazer AK (Grazer Athletiksport-Klub) was founded in 1902 in Graz, the capital of the Austrian province of Styria. The club, known as the Roten (Reds) or GAK, won the Austrian Bundesliga in 2004 – their only domestic championship – and had a brief but exciting period of European competition. Playing in red and white, GAK represent the second-tier of Graz's football scene behind city rivals Sturm Graz, but their 2004 title was a genuine shock that earned European football for the club and produced one of Austrian football's most celebrated upsets of the modern era. Financial difficulties subsequently brought the club's collapse and reformation.

GAK's 2003–04 Austrian Bundesliga championship was the greatest achievement in the club's history, earned through excellent team spirit and effective management under coach Walter Schachner. The following season's European adventure brought continental experience before financial mismanagement led to bankruptcy in 2013. The club was reformed and has been working back through the Austrian football pyramid, with promotion back to professional football as a long-term goal.

Key Milestones

1902 – Club founded in Graz. 2004 – Austrian Bundesliga championship; greatest achievement. 2004 – UEFA Cup participation. 2013 – Bankruptcy and dissolution of professional club. 2013 – Club reformed at amateur level. 2019 – Return to professional football. 2023 – Austrian First League (second division) competition; push for Bundesliga return.