About Grazer AK

Grazer AK is a professional football club based in Graz, Austria, founded in 1902. The club, commonly known as GAK, is part of a larger multi-sport organization and plays its home matches at the Merkur Arena. Historically, it has been one of the most important clubs outside Vienna and is especially known for its fierce rivalry with local opponents Sturm Graz in the Graz derby.

The most successful period in the club’s history came between the late 1990s and mid-2000s. During this time, Grazer AK established itself as a major force in Austrian football, winning the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2003–04 and securing multiple Austrian Cups (1981, 2000, 2002, 2004). The 2003–04 season was particularly notable, as the club achieved a historic domestic double, marking the peak of its sporting success.

Despite its achievements, the club faced serious financial problems in the late 2000s, leading to administration, point deductions, and eventual bankruptcy. Grazer AK was dissolved in 2012 but was quickly re-founded by supporters as a phoenix club, starting from the lower divisions. After a steady rise through the league system, the club returned to professional football and eventually regained its place in the Austrian Bundesliga, marking a significant comeback in Austrian football.