11 Freunde magazine

11 Freunde is a prominent German football culture magazine that has evolved from a niche independent publication into a major media brand. Founded in 2000, it focuses on the cultural and social aspects of soccer rather than just scores and transfers. Its storytelling approach has carved out a unique space in European sports media.

The brand's ownership has seen significant shifts over the years. Originally founded in Berlin, it eventually became part of the Gruner + Jahr publishing house. Following a large-scale restructuring of the German media landscape, the brand was acquired by RTL Deutschland. Most recently, 11 Freunde was brought under the umbrella of Spiegel-Verlag (The Spiegel Group), which acquired a majority stake in late 2023 to integrate the magazine into its prestigious portfolio of high-quality journalism.