Context:

VfL Wolfsburg announced the return of the historic Zinnenwappen battlement crest as the club’s primary emblem, replacing the circular logo after 24 years. The decision was made through a collaborative process involving club management, city representatives, and active fans with design agencies, reflecting strong local identity and ties to the city and workforce. The transition begins immediately, starting with the Bayern Munich match, but the standard kits won’t feature the new crest until the 2027-2028 season due to Nike’s production timelines, while a special edition jersey will be released earlier. Brand updates, including new typography and graphics, will roll out gradually around the stadium and facilities to align with the lifecycle of existing items. A broader move to the new identity signals a forward-looking modernization while honoring Wolfsburg’s heritage and community support.

Dive Deeper:

• The change to the crest was the result of a collaborative process among club management, city representatives, and active fans, with design agencies Atelier Sasserath and Mutabor contributing to the reintegration of the Zinnenwappen. Supporter groups had campaigned for over two decades, maintaining visibility of the battlements on flags and banners in the stands.

• Wolfsburg will reintroduce the Zinnenwappen as the primary emblem, updating the historic battlement crest with a modernized, castle-inspired 'W' design to reflect continuity with tradition while renewing the club’s visual language.

• The transition timeline sees immediate implementation on branding, but standard match kits will continue to use the outgoing circular logo through the 2026-2027 season due to Nike’s nearly two-year lead times for kit production; a special edition jersey featuring the new crest will be released during the current campaign to satisfy demand.

• The full on-pitch transition will be completed by the 2027-2028 season, at which point the Zinnenwappen will become standard across all regular matchwear, replacing the circular logo across apparel.

• Beyond kits, Wolfsburg plans a gradual update of stadium visuals and club facilities to reflect the new crest, alongside new typography and graphical elements to modernize the overall aesthetic while respecting the lifecycle of existing items.

• The news coincides with the club’s promotion of the 2025-2026 kits featuring the new Zinnenwappen, and enthusiasts are invited to compare old and new designs and share opinions about the returning crest.