1. FC Köln have only had a women's side since 2009, after FFC Brauweiler Pulheim 2000 were integrated into the club. However, the roots of women's football go back much further. As Grün-Weiß Brauweiler, the club celebrated great successes, including winning the German championship and the DFB-Pokal three times. In 2000, the women's team was spun off into FFC Brauweiler Pulheim before the team became part of 1. FC Köln nine years later. They were considered a yo-yo team for a long time, flitting between the first and second divisons until 2021/22, since when Köln have been a permanent presence in the top flight. The last Bundesliga season ended with the team in seventh place.

Köln made several changes to the squad this Summer, with 12 new signings and five departures. Notably, the commitments of German national player Kathrin Hendrich from the Chicago Red Stars and Sophie Nachtigall, who transferred from SC Freiburg to Köln, stand out. Other new signings include Elise Stenevik (Everton FC), Beke Sterner and Laureta Elmazi (both SGS Essen), goalkeeper Inga Schuldt (Hamburger SV), Pauline Nelles (Arizona State Sun Devils), and Alina Kerschbaumer (First Vienna FC). Additionally, Jil Schäfer moved up from the second team to the Bundesliga squad. On the departure side, several experienced players left the club, including Sara Agrež (Liverpool FC Women), Sylwia Matysik (Hamburger SV), Adriana Achcińska (VfB Stuttgart), and Martyna Wiankowska (Como 1907).

last season saw the clubs meet for the first time in the Bundesliga. While Köln won the first fixture, 2-1, Union matched that in the return match. 

Sven Gruel, co-coach at 1. FC Köln, was active in the same role under Ailien Poese in Köpenick from 2022 to 2024. Since last season, he has been assistant to head coach Britta Carlson in Köln.

Union's coaching team must do without the services of Anna Aehling, Hannah Eurlings, Korina Janež, Mariann Noack, and Tanja Pawollek.  

“1. FC Köln are a team that has started the season well and who play very physically. Therefore, we expect an intense clash with many duels. It will be crucial to engage from the very start, to be bold, and to attack with more determination and precision,” said Union head coach Marie-Louise Eta during midweek.

Effzeh head coach Britta Carlson loosaw the match as follows: “Union have set high goals for themselves, but they have had a difficult start to the season so far. However, we are looking forward to a great home game and to Union as an opponent that will challenge us and certainly do everything to secure their first points.”

Tickets are available online in advance. The away section in the seating area is Block H (regular €13, reduced €9) and the away standing area (€10, €7).

The main parking lot and the forest parking lot at Geißbockheim will be closed on match day for TV broadcasts. A free shuttle service will be offered from the parking lot of the West branch of Rewe (Rewestr. 8, 50354 Hürth-Efferen). The parking spaces P1 – P5 are available free of charge. Only the truck entrance via the ring road K2N should be used for this purpose. Departure times are from the REWE parking lot Hürth: starting at 12:15 at 15-minute intervals. Return: 16:30 and 16:45.