Heidenheim

1. FC Heidenheim, founded in 1846, is a remarkable German football club based in Heidenheim an der Brenz, Baden-Württemberg. The club achieved the extraordinary feat of reaching the Bundesliga for the first time in 2023 under the long-term leadership of coach Frank Schmidt, who has been with the club since 2007. Heidenheim plays at the Voith-Arena, a modest 15,000-capacity stadium that reflects the club's humble, community-oriented identity. The club is the ultimate overachiever in German football, having risen through the divisions with a tiny budget and a squad built largely on smart scouting and team cohesion. Heidenheim's success story is a testament to the power of stability, long-term planning, and collective spirit over financial resources.