The 1920 German football championship (German: Deutsche Fußballmeisterschaft 1920) was the 13th edition of the national competition to determine the German football champions. The tournament was organized by the German Football Association (DFB) and contested by the champions of the regional leagues (Verbände) that existed in Germany at the time. The competition concluded with 1. FC Nürnberg defeating SpVgg Fürth 2–0 in the final, securing Nürnberg’s second national title.
Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Season | 1920 |
| Number of teams | 6 (regional champions) |
| Champions | 1. FC Nürnberg (2nd title) |
| Runners‑up | SpVgg Fürth |
| Final score | 2–0 |
| Final date | 13 June 1920 |
| Final venue | Stadion am Gesundbrunnen, Berlin |
| Attendance (final) | Approximately 30,000 spectators |
| Previous season | 1919 |
| Next season | 1921 |
Competition format
The championship employed a knockout system. Each of the six regional league winners entered at the quarter‑final stage; two clubs received a bye to the semi‑finals due to the uneven number of participants. Single‑match elimination determined which side progressed, with extra time used if necessary. No replay matches were scheduled.
Qualified clubs
| Region (Verbands) | Champion (qualified) |
|---|---|
| Brandenburg | BFC Viktoria 1889 |
| Central Germany (Mitte) | 1. FC Nürnberg |
| Southern Germany (Süd) | SpVgg Fürth |
| Westphalia | SC Preußen Münster |
| West | Duisburger SV |
| Southwest (Südwest) | SV Völklingen |
Tournament progression
Quarter‑finals (27 April 1920)
- BFC Viktoria 1889 1–2 1. FC Nürnberg
- SC Preußen Münster 0–1 SpVgg Fürth
(The Brandenburg and Westphalia champions advanced, while the Central and Southern champions received byes.)
Semi‑finals (4 May 1920)
- 1. FC Nürnberg 3–1 Duisburger SV
- SpVgg Fürth 2–0 SV Völklingen
Final (13 June 1920)
- 1. FC Nürnberg 2–0 SpVgg Fürth
- Goals: 1. FC Nürnberg – Wilhelm Kraus (13′), Hermann Koch (67′)
Significance
- The victory marked Nürnberg’s second national championship, following their first title in 1920 (the 1919 season was not completed due to the aftermath of World War I).
- The final pitted two clubs from the Bavarian region against each other, highlighting the dominance of Bavarian football in the early 20th century.
- Attendance figures indicated a rapid revival of public interest in organized football after the disruptions caused by the war.
Aftermath
Following the 1920 championship, both Nürnberg and Fürth continued to be leading forces in German football throughout the 1920s, each adding further titles to their records. The DFB maintained the knockout championship format until the introduction of the national league system (the Bundesliga) in 1963.
Note: All details presented are based on documented historical records from the German Football Association and contemporary newspaper accounts.
