1. FSV Mainz 05 is a football club based in Mainz, Germany. Although being overshadowed by neighboring team Eintracht Frankfurt, Mainz is currently playing in the First Bundesliga.

The club was founded in 1905 but had not played an important role at the scene of German soccer until the end of World War II. It was then classified for the Oberliga Suedwest - the highest German football league at that time and until the Bundesliga was founded in 1963. Bruchwegstadion stadium, was built in 1949 and has currently a capacity of 20,300.

In 1982 the club made its biggest success ever by winning the German amateur championship, a competition of all clubs outside of the First and Second Bundesligas.

In 1990, the team was promoted to the Second Bundesliga. Overall (with some appearances before 1990 in the second Bundesliga), the club played 17 seasons in that division. After three failing attempts at being promoted to the First Bundesliga in 1997, 2002 and 2003, the club finally succeeded in 2004.