LASK Linz

Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub traces its roots back to August 7, 1899, when Albert Siems founded the organization as Linzer-Athletik-Sportklub "Siegfried". Based in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, the club has maintained its original identity for over a century without adopting a corporate sponsor name. This tradition sets them apart in modern professional football where commercial naming rights are standard practice.

The team competes in the Austrian Bundesliga and plays home matches at the Raiffeisen Arena. LASK fields both men's and women's divisions, with the latter also competing in the top tier of Austrian female football. Their black and white kits have become an instantly recognizable symbol within the region.

After a long absence from the top flight, the club returned to the Austrian Bundesliga in 2017. They secured their first national championship title in 2019 and added a second crown in 2026. This period marked a significant rise in stature for the club following years of rebuilding. [edit]

The club began as a strength-training group before evolving into a full football organization. Walter Schachner currently leads the squad as head coach. Oliver Glasner managed the team during their rise to prominence before moving on to manage Eintracht Frankfurt and West Ham United. Other notable managers include Valérien Ismaël, Dominik Thalhammer, Dietmar Kühbauer, Thomas Sageder, Markus Schopp, and João Sacramento.

In the 2026–27 season, LASK reached the UEFA Champions League play-off round. The team faced Celtic FC in August 2026 after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg in Glasgow. Camilo Duran scored twice for the Scottish side during that match. The return leg took place on August 25, 2026, at the Raiffeisen Arena.

A somber moment occurred before the second leg kickoff when the crowd observed a silence for a 65-year-old Celtic fan who died during the first match. Celtic ultimately advanced to the group stage, ending LASK's campaign. As of the 2026 season, the squad includes 23 players with an average age of 25.2 and a high proportion of foreign players. [edit]