Hannover 96 is one of northern Germany's traditional football institutions. Founded in 1896, the club won the German championship twice, in 1938 and 1954. The second title was particularly memorable, as Hannover defeated 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the final to claim the championship.
The club also lifted the DFB-Pokal in 1992. Hannover's more recent history has been less stable, with the team moving between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. Known as Die Roten, Hannover plays its home matches at Heinz von Heiden Arena.