MTK Budapest FC explained

Magyar Testgyakorlók Köre Budapest Futball Club, often abbreviated to MTK, is a professional football club based in Józsefváros, Budapest, Hungary. The club currently plays in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I. The club's colours are blue and white. As one of the most successful Hungarian football clubs, MTK has won the Hungarian League 23 times and the Hungarian Cup 12 times. The club has also won the Hungarian Super Cup twice. In 1955, as Vörös Lobogó SE, they became the first Hungarian team to play in the European Cup and in 1964 they finished as runners-up in the European Cup Winners' Cup after losing to Sporting Clube de Portugal in the final.

The club founded the Sándor Károly Football Academy in 2001. The Academy also has a partnership agreement with English club Liverpool. MTK was established by the Hungarian Jewish community.

History

See main article: article and History of MTK Budapest FC. MTK Budapest first entered the Nemzeti Bajnokság in the 1903 season. In the subsequent season, MTK won their first domestic title. Between 1913 and 1914 and 1924–25, MTK dominated Hungarian football by winning ten titles in a row.^[1]

Club identity and supporters

MTK Budapest was founded on 16 November 1888 by members of Budapest’s assimilated Jewish middle class as Magyar Testgyakorlók Köre (“Circle of Hungarian Body‐Trainers”).^[2] Right from its foundation, MTK Budapest sought to promote “universal Hungarianhood” and modern athletics free from local or conservative constraints, and deliberately cast itself as a modern, cosmopolitan alternative to local, parochial clubs in Hungary.^[2] From its earliest years, the club drew support from Budapest’s downtown bourgeoisie and assimilated Jewish community, positioning itself in cultural opposition to local rivals like Ferencváros, whose fan identity emerged more from working- and lower-middle-class districts. From the 1890s through the 1930s, MTK emerged as one of Hungary’s dominant teams, winning multiple national titles.^[2] Its historic rivalry with Ferencváros (whose supporters had increasingly embraced right-wing, nationalist and antisemitic sentiments) accentuated MTK’s reputation as the “Jewish” or liberal club in Budapest.^{[3] [4]}

Immediately after World War 2 in 1949, under Hungary’s new Communist regime, MTK was forcibly taken over by the ÁVH state security service and underwent a series of name changes; from Textiles SE (1950) to Bástya SE (1951) and Vörös Lobogó SE (1952), that aligned it with Stalinist state institutions. Although the club achieved on-field success during this era, winning multiple league titles and becoming the first Hungarian side to play in the European Cup (1955), its links to the secret police alienated most of its traditional fan base and massively disrupted the emotional bonds between club and supporters, a situation which lasted well beyond the Stalinist period.^{[3] [4]}

Since the early 2000s however, MTK’s supporter culture has remained notably free of any far-right influence, standing in sharp contrast to several other Hungarian clubs.^[3] A 2021 study confirmed that, among major Hungarian teams, MTK’s fanbase is one of the few without significant extremist elements, reinforcing its longstanding image as the city’s liberal, most cosmopolitan side.^[3]

Crest and colours

Manufacturers and shirt sponsors

The following table shows in detail MTK Budapest FC kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors by year:

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
−2007	Nike	Fotex
2007–2008		Fotex / Sándor Károly Akadémia
2008–2009		Sándor Károly Akadémia
2009–2010		Duna Takarék / Sándor Károly Akadémia
2010–2011		Duna Takarék
2011–2012		Duna Takarék / Sándor Károly Akadémia
2012–2013		Országos Kéktúra
2013–2017		panzi pet
2017–2018		Work Service
2018–present		Prohuman

Stadia and facilities

See main article: article, Hungária körúti stadion, Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion (1947) and Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion. MTK Budapest's first stadium was opened in 1912. The first match it hosted was against MTK Budapest's main rival Ferencváros on 31 March 1912. The final result was 1–0 to MTK.

MTK Budapest's second stadium was built in 1947 shortly after the end of the World War II. The club remained there until 2014, when it was demolished in order to construct a brand new stadium on its place.

Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion is a multi-purpose stadium in Budapest, Hungary.^[5] It was renamed after the famous MTK Budapest and Hungary footballer Nándor Hidegkuti.

Lantos Mihály Sportközpont is a multi sport centre located in Zugló, Budapest. It was built in 1896. It has a capacity of 3,500 (2,500 seated).It was home to Budapest Micro Club, MTK Maccabi, Rower-Veled Érted Se, Vörös Meteor Egyetértés SK, Zuglói Kinizsi SE.^{[6] [7]}

Rivalry

See also: Budapest derby and Örökrangadó.

The fixture between MTK Budapest FC and Ferencvárosi TC is called the Örökrangadó or Eternal derby. The first fixture was played in the 1903 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season. It is the oldest football rivalry in Hungary.

Honours

Domestic

• Nemzeti Bajnokság I
  • Winners (23): 1904, 1907–08, 1913–14, 1916–17, 1917–18, 1918–19, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1928–29, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1951, 1953, 1957–58, 1986–87, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2007–08
  • Runners-up (20): 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1912–13, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1939–40, 1948–49, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1989–90, 1999–2000, 2006–07
• Nemzeti Bajnokság II
  • Winners (5): 1981–82, 1994–95, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2019–20
• Magyar Kupa
  • Winners (12): 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1913–14, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1931–32, 1951–52, 1968, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999–2000
  • Runners-up (3): 1934–35, 1975–76, 2011–12
• Szuperkupa
  • Winners (3): 1997, 2003, 2008

International

• Mitropa Cup
  • Winners (2): 1955, 1963
  • Runners-up (1): 1959
• European Cup Winners' Cup
  • Runner-up (1): 1963–64
• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
  • Semi-finalist (1): 1961–62

Friendly

• Štefánik Tournament in Bratislava
  • Winners (1): 1933

Seasons

See also: List of MTK Budapest FC seasons.

League positions

^[8] ImageSize = width:1600 height:75PlotArea = left:10 right:10 bottom:30 top:10TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyyDateFormat = dd/mm/yyyyPeriod = from:01/07/1970 till:01/07/2026ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:2 start:1971

Colors = id:First_tier value:green legend:First_tier id:Second_tier value:yellow legend:Second_tier id:Third_tier value:orange legend:Third_tier id:Fourth_tier value:pink legend:Fourth_tier id:Fifth_tier value:red legend:Fifth_tier id:Does_not_exist value:black legend:Does_not_exist

PlotData= bar:Position width:16 color:white align:center from:01/07/1970 till:01/07/1971 shift:(0,-4) text:5 from:01/07/1971 till:01/07/1972 shift:(0,-4) text:13 from:01/07/1972 till:01/07/1973 shift:(0,-4) text:9 from:01/07/1973 till:01/07/1974 shift:(0,-4) text:10 from:01/07/1974 till:01/07/1975 shift:(0,-4) text:10 from:01/07/1975 till:01/07/1976 shift:(0,-4) text:6 from:01/07/1976 till:01/07/1977 shift:(0,-4) text:8 from:01/07/1977 till:01/07/1978 shift:(0,-4) text:3 from:01/07/1978 till:01/07/1979 shift:(0,-4) text:14 from:01/07/1979 till:01/07/1980 shift:(0,-4) text:8 from:01/07/1980 till:01/07/1981 shift:(0,-4) text:17 from:01/07/1970 till:01/07/1981 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I" from:01/07/1981 till:01/07/1982 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/1981 till:01/07/1982 color:yellow shift:(0,14) text: "NB II" from:01/07/1982 till:01/07/1983 shift:(0,-4) text:12 from:01/07/1983 till:01/07/1984 shift:(0,-4) text:8 from:01/07/1984 till:01/07/1985 shift:(0,-4) text:14 from:01/07/1985 till:01/07/1986 shift:(0,-4) text:7 from:01/07/1986 till:01/07/1987 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/1987 till:01/07/1988 shift:(0,-4) text:6 from:01/07/1988 till:01/07/1989 shift:(0,-4) text:3 from:01/07/1989 till:01/07/1990 shift:(0,-4) text:2 from:01/07/1990 till:01/07/1991 shift:(0,-4) text:10 from:01/07/1991 till:01/07/1992 shift:(0,-4) text:5 from:01/07/1992 till:01/07/1993 shift:(0,-4) text:4 from:01/07/1993 till:01/07/1994 shift:(0,-4) text:16 from:01/07/1982 till:01/07/1994 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I" from:01/07/1994 till:01/07/1995 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/1994 till:01/07/1995 color:yellow shift:(0,14) text: "NB II" from:01/07/1995 till:01/07/1996 shift:(0,-4) text:5 from:01/07/1996 till:01/07/1997 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/1997 till:01/07/1998 shift:(0,-4) text:5 from:01/07/1998 till:01/07/1999 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/1999 till:01/07/2000 shift:(0,-4) text:2 from:01/07/2000 till:01/07/2001 shift:(0,-4) text:6 from:01/07/2001 till:01/07/2002 shift:(0,-4) text:3 from:01/07/2002 till:01/07/2003 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/2003 till:01/07/2004 shift:(0,-4) text:6 from:01/07/2004 till:01/07/2005 shift:(0,-4) text:3 from:01/07/2005 till:01/07/2006 shift:(0,-4) text:4 from:01/07/2006 till:01/07/2007 shift:(0,-4) text:2 from:01/07/2007 till:01/07/2008 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/2008 till:01/07/2009 shift:(0,-4) text:7 from:01/07/2009 till:01/07/2010 shift:(0,-4) text:6 from:01/07/2010 till:01/07/2011 shift:(0,-4) text:15 from:01/07/1995 till:01/07/2011 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I" from:01/07/2011 till:01/07/2012 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/2011 till:01/07/2012 color:yellow shift:(0,14) text: "NB II" from:01/07/2012 till:01/07/2013 shift:(0,-4) text:4 from:01/07/2013 till:01/07/2014 shift:(0,-4) text:8 from:01/07/2014 till:01/07/2015 shift:(0,-4) text:3 from:01/07/2015 till:01/07/2016 shift:(0,-4) text:4 from:01/07/2016 till:01/07/2017 shift:(0,-4) text:11 from:01/07/2012 till:01/07/2017 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I" from:01/07/2017 till:01/07/2018 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/2017 till:01/07/2018 color:yellow shift:(0,14) text: "NB II" from:01/07/2018 till:01/07/2019 shift:(0,-4) text:11 from:01/07/2018 till:01/07/2019 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I" from:01/07/2019 till:01/07/2020 shift:(0,-4) text:1 from:01/07/2019 till:01/07/2020 color:yellow shift:(0,14) text: "NB II" from:01/07/2020 till:01/07/2021 shift:(0,-4) text:7 from:01/07/2021 till:01/07/2022 shift:(0,-4) text:11 from:01/07/2020 till:01/07/2022 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I" from:01/07/2022 till:01/07/2023 shift:(0,-4) text:2 from:01/07/2022 till:01/07/2023 color:yellow shift:(0,14) text: "NB II" from:01/07/2023 till:01/07/2024 shift:(0,-4) text:8 from:01/07/2024 till:01/07/2025 shift:(0,-4) text:5 from:01/07/2025 till:01/07/2026 shift:(0,-4) text: from:01/07/2023 till:01/07/2026 color:green shift:(0,14) text: "NB I"

Players

Current squad

^[9]

Out on loan

Non-playing staff

Board of directors

Position	Name
President	Tamás Deutsch
Club director	József Jakobsen
President of committee	Iván Serényi
Member of the presidency	Péter Deutsch
Member of the presidency	János Somogyi
Member of the presidency	László Domonyai
Member of the supervising committee	István Molnár
Member of the supervising committee	Péter Stern
Member of the supervising committee	István Putics

^[10]

Management

Position	Name
Head coach	Dávid Horváth
Assistant coach	Tamás Petres
Goalkeeper coach	József Andrusch
Fitness coach	András Szabó
Masseur	János Kiss
Masseur	István Dömök
Club doctor	Imre Dreissiger
Club doctor	Dániel Kincses
Technical manager	Mihály Horváth
Physiotherapist	Péter Sipos
Kit Manager	Gábor Máté

^[11]

See also

• List of MTK Budapest FC managers
• List of MTK Budapest FC seasons
• MTK Budapest FC in European football
• Örökrangadó
• Vörös Meteor Egyetértés SK

Sources

• Behind The Curtain – Travels in Eastern European Football: Jonathan Wilson (2006) Behind the Curtain: Travels in Football in Eastern Europe: Amazon.co.uk: Wilson, Jonathan: 9780752869070: Books

External links

• • Article on MTK at UEFA.com
• European Cup 1955–56
• Soccerway profile
• Matches, old tickets, ground photos at magyarfutball.hu

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hungary football championship . 2022-12-27 . eu-football.info . en . 27 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221227101526/https://eu-football.info/_tournaments.php?id=100 . live .
2. Hadas . Miklós . 2000 . Football and Social Identity: The Case of Hungary in the Twentieth Century . The Sports Historian . 20 . 2 . 43–66. 10.1080/17460260009443368 . 18 June 2025.
3. News: Mortimer . Tomasz . 8 December 2021 . Hungary's Football Ultras: Far Right, Not For Fidesz . . 18 June 2025.
4. Reynolds . David A. J. . 4 November 2016 . Football And Fifty-six: Identity And Restoration . Hungarian Review . 7 . 6 . 18 June 2025.
5. Web site: Nándor Hidegkuti Stadion. 10 February 2015. Stadium Database. 3 July 2015. 11 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170311211832/http://stadiumdb.com/designs/hun/nandor_hidegkuti_stadion. live.
6. Web site: MTK Lantos Mihály Sportközpont. 10 February 2015. MTK.hu.
7. Web site: MTK Lantos Mihály Sportközpont. 10 February 2015. MTK.hu. 3 July 2015. 3 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150703235715/http://www.magyarfutball.hu/hu/stadionok/adatlap/398/lantos_mihaly_sportkozpont. live.
8. Web site: Bajnoki múlt (MTK Budapest) . 12 July 2025 . magyarfutball.hu . hu.
9. Web site: First team squad . 21 December 2025 . MTK Budapest FC Official Website . mtkbudapest.hu . hu.
10. Web site: Az MTK Budapest Labdarúgó Zrt. hivatalos honlapja. www.mtkbudapest.hu. 23 January 2021. 19 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210119053200/https://www.mtkbudapest.hu/hu. live.
11. Web site: Archived copy . 11 August 2015 . 10 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191210130409/http://mtkbudapest.hu/szakmai-stab . dead .