VfB Stuttgart Removed Winamax Logo from Kit on German Cup Final Day Due to Debt
German football club VfB Stuttgart, on the day of the German Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld, replaced the sponsor on the front of their kit from French bookmaker Winamax to the bank LBBW.
Reason — Unpaid Debts
The reason for the change was Winamax’s debt to the club — according to “Kicker,” it’s about unpaid €2.5 million. Even the threat of publicly removing the logo from the kit didn’t change the situation.
The club waited until the last moment for the payment, but on the morning of matchday Saturday, it was forced to act. According to Stuttgart’s official statement, the decision was made for “entrepreneurial reasons” and due to breaches of contract. The club stated it expected a “more respectful end to the partnership” from its sponsor.
Scandal on Final Day
For the German Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart had prepared a special kit with the Winamax logo. The shirts were sold at a price of €110 and were popular with fans.
However, just a few hours before kickoff, it became known that the team would take the field in a different kit — now featuring the logo of Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), which will become the club’s sponsor next season.
Club’s Reaction and Compensation for Fans
Despite the emergency kit replacement, the club promised not to leave buyers of the final edition kit without compensation.
VfB Stuttgart’s Head of Marketing and Sales, Ruven Kasper, stated:
“We will contact all buyers next week and show our appreciation. We thank the fans for their understanding and especially LBBW — for their readiness to promptly step in as sponsor for such an important game.”
Victory in the Final and a Grand Gesture
The match took place in a packed Berlin Olympic Stadium (around 74,000 spectators), where Stuttgart secured a 4–2 victory, claiming the fourth German Cup in the club’s history.
The new sponsor, LBBW, gained a unique promotional opportunity in the most prestigious match of the season. Moreover, LBBW is ready to compensate the €2.5 million difference if the legal dispute between the club and Winamax results in a partial reduction of the debt.
Fans and Atmosphere in Berlin
From early morning on final day, thousands of Stuttgart fans began gathering at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin.
Despite a limited ticket allocation (24,000 for the club), many came without stadium access just to support the team.
The day’s agenda included speeches from club executives, team legends, and festive events. Police expected up to 5,000 participants on the streets and public transport.
Brief Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Before the final | Special kit with Winamax logo released |
| Morning of May 24 | Decision made to replace the logo with LBBW |
| Evening of May 24 | Stuttgart wins the German Cup final |
Conclusion
VfB Stuttgart not only won the most important match of the season but also demonstrated determination in protecting its commercial interests.
Despite the inconvenience for fans, the club is ready to compensate, and new partners have already successfully stepped in.