View source for RB Leipzig

{{short description|Association football club in Germany}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = RB Leipzig
| fullname = RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V.
| image = RB Leipzig 2014 logo.svg
| upright = 1.25
| current = 2025–26 RB Leipzig season
| nickname = {{langnf|de|Die Roten Bullen|The Red Bulls}}
| short name = RBL<ref>[https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/teams-three-letter-names-bvb-fcb-rbl-10935 Do you know the three-letter names for each Bundesliga team?], Bundesliga website</ref>
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2009|5|19}}
| ground = [[Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)|Red Bull Arena]]
| capacity = 47,800<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/stadium/red-bull-arena/facts-and-stats|title=Red Bull Arena in Leipzig: All the facts and stats|website=rbleipzig.com|publisher=RasenBallsport Leipzig|access-date=25 October 2024}}</ref>
| chrtitle = Chairman
| owner = [[Red Bull GmbH]] (99%) (of [[Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung|GmbH]])
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = [[Ole Werner]]
| website = {{url|https://rbleipzig.com/en|rbleipzig.com}}
| league = {{German football updater|RBLeipzi}}
| season = {{German football updater|RBLeipzi2}}
| position = {{German football updater|RBLeipzi3}}
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'''RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V.''' ({{Literal translation|Lawn Ball Sports Leipzig}}), commonly known as '''RB Leipzig'''  or informally as '''Red Bull Leipzig,''' is a German professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Leipzig]], [[Saxony]]. The club was founded in 2009 by the initiative of the company [[Red Bull GmbH]], which purchased the playing rights of fifth-tier side [[SSV Markranstädt]] with the intent of advancing the new club to the top-flight [[Bundesliga]] within eight years. The men's professional football club is run by the spin-off organization RasenBallsport Leipzig GmbH.<ref name="Impressum">{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/statisch/impressum.html |title=Impressum |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenBallsport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date= 8 April 2016}}</ref> RB Leipzig plays its home matches at the [[Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)|Red Bull Arena]]. The club nickname is {{langnf|de|Die Roten Bullen|The Red Bulls}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here's where the Bundesliga clubs' nicknames come from|url=https://bulinews.com/news/386/heres-where-the-bundesliga-clubs-nicknames-come-from|website=Bulinews|date=15 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Football club nicknames: Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, MLS & all team slang terms|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/football-club-nicknames-premier-league-la-liga-serie-a-mls/y258hgejidlw1xede4hbz4ts8|website=Goal (website)|access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref>

After its foundation, RB Leipzig quickly rose through the ranks of German football, starting in the fifth-tier [[NOFV-Oberliga Süd]]. The club achieved successive promotions the following years, eventually being promoted to the Bundesliga in [[2015–16 2. Bundesliga|2015–16]]. In their debut [[2016–17 Bundesliga|top-flight season]], they qualified to the [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time in their history, following a runner-up finish. They also became a regular feature in the Champions League, reaching the semi-finals of the competition in [[2020 UEFA Champions League Final|2020]]. The club won its first domestic honour, the [[DFB Pokal]], in back-to-back seasons, [[2021–22 DFB-Pokal|2022]] and [[2022–23 DFB-Pokal|2023]].

RB Leipzig's entrance into the upper echelons of German football has proven controversial, as the club's heavy corporate influence is regarded by many Germans to be antithetical to the traditional ownership, structure and management of sports clubs in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-14 |title=Why RB Leipzig is the most hated team in the Bundesliga |first=Bruce |last=Schoenfeld |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37580461/why-rb-leipzig-most-hated-soccer-team-bundesliga |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On the other hand, some have expressed appreciation for what they view as an honourable endeavour to establish a durable footprint for the Bundesliga in the former [[East Germany]], which previously had been at best tenuous since [[German reunification]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-18 |title=RB Leipzig: Success against Tradition |url=https://www.fournations.football/post/rb-leipzig-success-against-tradition |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Four Nations}}</ref>

==History==
===2006–2009: Negotiations with various clubs and founding===
Before investing in Leipzig, [[Red Bull GmbH]], led by co-owner [[Dietrich Mateschitz]], spent three and a half years looking for a suitable location to invest in German football.<ref name="Fußballschlaf">{{cite news |last=Flohr |first=Sven |date=13 June 2009 |title=Red Bull reißt Leipzig aus dem Fußballschlaf |trans-title=Red Bull rips Leipzig out of its football sleep|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article3919661/Red-Bull-reisst-Leipzig-aus-dem-Fussballschlaf.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> Besides Leipzig, the company also considered a location in [[Western Germany]], exploring such cities as [[Hamburg]], [[Munich]] and [[Düsseldorf]].<ref name="PauliKaufen">{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=28 April 2015 |title=Red Bull wollte den FC St. Pauli kaufen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article140232412/Red-Bull-wollte-den-FC-St-Pauli-kaufen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref>

The company made its first attempt to enter the German football scene in 2006. On the advice of [[Franz Beckenbauer]], a personal friend of Dietrich Mateschitz, the company decided to invest in Leipzig.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.at/911+M58e432e9b77.html |title=Leipzig: Red-Bull-Einstieg naht |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=5 December 2012 |website=sport1.at |publisher=Sport1 Multimedia GmbH |location=Wien |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207020155/http://www.sport1.at/911+M58e432e9b77.html |archive-date=7 December 2006 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 May 2014 |title=Beckenbauer adelt die Bullen aus Leipzig |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/sport/fussball/der-bundesliga-traum-lebt-beckenbauer-adelt-die-bullen-aus-leipzig/9844386.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Handelsblatt]] |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Handelsblatt GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323051700/https://www.handelsblatt.com/sport/fussball/der-bundesliga-traum-lebt-beckenbauer-adelt-die-bullen-aus-leipzig/9844386.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2014 |title=Mateschitz nach Attacke gegen RB Leipzig geschockt |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article127772305/Mateschitz-nach-Attacke-gegen-RB-Leipzig-geschockt.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2014 |title=Leipzig droht der Lizenzentzug: Red-Bull-Boss attackiert die DFL |url=http://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Red-Bull-Boss-attackiert-die-DFL-article12791216.html |language=de |newspaper=n-tv |location=Cologne |publisher=n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Machowecz |first=Martin |date=9 May 2014 |title=Wir Ossis brauchen den Retortenverein! |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2014-05/fussball-rb-leipzig-zweite-liga-langfassung/seite-2 |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> The local football club [[FC Sachsen Leipzig]], successor to the former [[List of East German football champions|East German champions]] [[BSG Chemie Leipzig (1950)|BSG Chemie Leipzig]], had for years been in financial difficulties.<ref name="AuflösungSachsen">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 June 2011 |title=Uwe Seemann über die Auflösung des FC Sachsen Leipzig |url=http://www.11freunde.de/interview/uwe-seemann-ueber-die-aufloesung-des-fc-sachsen-leipzig |language=de |newspaper=[[11 Freunde]] |location=Berlin |publisher=11FREUNDE Verlag GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dieckmann |first=Christoph |date=17 October 2013 |title=Heimat aus der Dose |url=http://www.zeit.de/2013/43/fussball-rb-leipzig-red-bull-bundesliga |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> Red Bull GmbH drew up plans to invest up to 50 million euros in the club. The company planned a takeover, with a change of the team's colours and club name. Involved in the arrangements was film entrepreneur Michael Kölmel, sponsor of FC Sachsen Leipzig and owner of the Zentralstadion.<ref name="AuflösungSachsen"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Matthias |first=Wolf |date=19 December 2006 |title=Sachsen Leipzig soll Flügel bekommen |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/fussball-sachsen-leipzig-soll-fluegel-bekommen-1383558.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305174239/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/fussball-sachsen-leipzig-soll-fluegel-bekommen-1383558.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By 2006, FC Sachsen Leipzig played in the Oberliga, by then the fourth tier in the [[German football league system]]. Playing in the fourth tier, the club had to undergo the [[German Football Association|German Football Association (DFB)]] licensing procedure. Red Bull GmbH and the club were close to a deal, but the plans were vetoed by the DFB, which rejected the proposed new club name "FC Red Bull Sachsen Leipzig" fearing too much influence from the company.<ref name="AuflösungSachsen"/><ref name="PlantLigaEinstieg">{{cite news |last=Ruf |first=Chrisoph |date=29 May 2009 |title=Rasen Ball Leipzig: Red Bull plant Liga-Einstieg |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/rasen-ball-leipzig-red-bull-plant-liga-einstieg-a-627770.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pittelkow |first1=Sebastian |last2=Schottner |first2=Dominik |date=17 June 2009 |title=Geld-Revolution auf dem Leipziger Rasen |url=http://www.stern.de/sport/fussball/fussball-sponsoring-von-red-bull-geld-revolution-auf-dem-leipziger-rasen-3813772.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Stern (magazine)|Stern]] |location=Hamburg |publisher=stern.de GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> After months of fan protests against Red Bull's involvement, which deteriorated into violence, the company officially abandoned the plans.<ref name="Teufel">{{cite news |last=Ruf |first=Christoph |date=17 June 2009 |title=Red Bull in Leipzig: "Wir würden selbst den Teufel mit offenen Armen empfangen" |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/red-bull-in-leipzig-wir-wuerden-selbst-den-teufel-mit-offenen-armen-empfangen-a-630820.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref>

Red Bull GmbH then turned to the former West Germany. The company made contact with [[Hamburg]]-based cult club [[FC St. Pauli]], known for its [[Left-wing politics|left]]-leaning supporters, and met representatives of the club to discuss a sponsorship deal. A short time before, supporters of FC St. Pauli had participated in protests against Red Bull's takeover of [[SV Austria Salzburg]]. Once it became clear to the Hamburg side that the company had plans that went far beyond conventional sponsoring, it immediately ended the contact, and the question was never considered by the club's management.<ref name="PauliKaufen"/> Red Bull then made contact with [[TSV 1860 Munich]]. Negotiations began behind closed doors, but the club was not interested in an investment and ended the discussions.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 April 2014 |title=Red Bull wollte den TSV 1860 übernehmen |url=http://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/inhalt.heute-leipzig-damals-muenchen-red-bull-wollte-den-tsv-1860-uebernehmen.dadf2ac8-5dfd-4094-b822-3a6e87e1f285.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Abendzeitung]] |location=Munich |publisher=Abendzeitung München Verlags-GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="AndereKandidaten">{{cite web |url=http://www.fussballtransfers.com/2-bundesliga/fortuna-pauli-und-60-red-bull-hatte-andere-kandidaten-und-plane_53555 |title=Fortuna, Pauli und 1860&nbsp;– Red Bull hatte andere Kandidaten und Pläne |last=Niekamp |first=Kevin |date=29 April 2014 |website=fussballtransfers.com |location=Cologne |publisher=Adversport Germany GmbH |language=de |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref>

In 2007, Red Bull GmbH made plans to invest in [[Fortuna Düsseldorf]], a traditional club with more than 100 years of history.<ref name="FortunaRedBull">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=22 May 2007 |title="Fortuna Red Bull"&nbsp;– die Zukunft? |url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/fortuna/fortuna-red-bull-die-zukunft-aid-1.1119525 |newspaper=RP Online |publisher=RP Digital GmbH |location=Düsseldorf |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> The plans became public, and it was revealed{{by whom|date=January 2024}} that the company wanted to acquire more than 50 percent of the shares. Rumours spread that the company wanted to rename the club "Red Bull Düsseldorf", or similar. This was immediately met with protests from club supporters.<ref name="PauliKaufen"/> As with FC Sachsen Leipzig, Red Bull's offer also ran into legal difficulties: the statutes of the DFB did not allow changing a club name for advertising purposes, nor for an external investor to obtain a majority share.<ref name="FortunaRedBull"/><ref name="DFBSatzung15§2">{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/_dfbdam/66978-02_Satzung.pdf |title=SATZUNG |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=dfb.de |publisher=Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. |page=12 |language=de |access-date=27 February 2016 |quote=15 § 2: Änderungen, Ergänzungen oder Neugebungen von Vereinsnamen und Vereinszeichen zum Zwecke der Werbung sind unzulässig}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/_dfbdam/66978-02_Satzung.pdf |title=SATZUNG |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=dfb.de |publisher=Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. |page=15 |language=de |access-date=27 February 2016 |quote=16 c § 2: Eine Kapitalgesellschaft kann nur eine Lizenz für die Lizenzligen und damit die Mitgliedschaft im Ligaverband erwerben, wenn ein Verein mehrheitlich an ihr beteiligt ist, der über eine eigene Fußballabteilung verfügt und der im Zeitpunkt, in dem sie sich erstmals für eine Lizenz bewirbt, sportlich für die Teilnahme an einer Lizenzliga qualifiziert ist. Der Verein ("Mutterverein") ist an der Gesellschaft mehrheitlich beteiligt ("Tochtergesellschaft"), wenn er über 50% der Stimmenanteile zuzüglich mindestens eines weiteren Stimmenanteils in der Versammlung der Anteilseigner verfügt. Bei der Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien muss der Mutterverein oder eine von ihm zu 100% beherrschte Tochter die Stellung des Komplementärs haben. In diesem Fall genügt ein Stimmenanteil des Muttervereins von weniger als 50%, wenn auf andere Weise sichergestellt ist, dass er eine vergleichbare Stellung hat, wie ein an der Tochtergesellschaft mehrheitlich beteiligter Gesellschafter. Dies setzt insbesondere voraus, dass dem Komplementär die kraft Gesetzes eingeräumte Vertretungsund Geschäftsführungsbefugnis uneingeschränkt zusteht.}}</ref>
Eventually, the plans were soundly rejected by club members.<ref name="PauliKaufen"/><ref name="AndereKandidaten"/> The company began to reconsider the former East Germany.<ref name="PauliKaufen"/>

Leipzig was considered a suitable place for an investment, with the city having a rich history in football, being the meeting place for the founding of the DFB and the home of the first German national football champions, [[VfB Leipzig]].<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/> During East Germany's existence, local teams such as [[1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig]] and its rival, [[BSG Chemie Leipzig (1950)|BSG Chemie Leipzig]], played at the highest level of the [[East German football league system]], and even on the international level. The current state of football there was, however, poor. No team from the city had played in the Bundesliga since 1994,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 January 2016 |title=RB Leipzig: Die Attacke auf den FC Bayern |url=http://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/inhalt.bundesliga-und-dann-europa-rb-leipzig-die-attacke-auf-den-fc-bayern.55e790ee-31b5-4aac-9fce-60d9c81f26ed.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Abendzeitung]] |location=Munich |publisher=Abendzeitung München Verlags-GmbH |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> and no team had played in a professional league since 1998.<ref name="PauliKaufen"/> Its two best teams would soon play in the Oberliga, and local football was plagued by fan violence.<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/> The city hungered for top-level football.<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg">{{cite news |last=Spannagel |first=Lars |date=16 June 2009 |title=New York, Salzburg, Markranstädt: Der RB Leipzig kommt |trans-title=New York, Salzburg, Markranstädt: RB Leipzig is coming |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/fussball/new-york-salzburg-markranstaedt-der-rb-leipzig-kommt/1536976.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |publisher=Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH |location=Berlin}}</ref><ref name="MischtdieBundesliga">{{cite journal |last=Ruf |first=Christoph |date=18 September 2009 |title=Red Bull mischt die Bundesliga auf |url=http://www.merian.de/magazin/leipzig-red-bull-bundesliga.html |language=de |journal=[[Merian (magazine)|Merian]] |publisher=4 Seasons digital.net GmbH |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311162048/http://www.merian.de/magazin/leipzig-red-bull-bundesliga.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Leipzig had a population of around 500,000 inhabitants. The city thus had considerable economic strength and fan potential.{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} At the same time, there were no Bundesliga clubs located anywhere near the city, which further strengthened the possibility{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} of attracting sponsors and fans.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Leipzig was fortunate to have a well-developed infrastructure, in the form of [[Leipzig/Halle Airport|an international airport]], motorway connections, and [[Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)|a suitable stadium]].<ref name="WirtschaftsExperte">{{cite web |url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/0906/Artikel/tobias-kollmann-red-bull-rasen-ballsport-leipzig-dieter-mateschitz.html |title=Wirtschafts-Experte Tobias Kollmann im Interview: "Ein Erdbeben für den deutschen Fußball" |last=Gruber |first=Haruka |date=16 June 2009 |website=spox.com |publisher=Perform Media Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="DieGruendungVonRB">{{cite news |last=Derßlein |first=Detlef |date=18 November 2009 |title=Die Gründung von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.focus.de/panorama/welt/best-of-playboy/menschen-und-storys/tid-16234/playboy-reportage-die-gruendung-von-rb-leipzig_aid_454906.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> The Zentralstadion was a former [[2006 FIFA World Cup]] venue and the second-largest football stadium in the east of Germany, after the [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]] in Berlin.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dehne |first=Ulrich |date=17 November 2006 |title=Flügel für die Sachsen? |url=http://www.zeit.de/online/2006/47/red-bull-leipzig |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref>

An investment in a club playing in one of the top divisions in Germany would have been a costly affair for Red Bull. From previous experience, the company knew that the existing traditions of such a club would hinder success in the league.<ref name="RiesigeChance">{{cite news |last=Flohr |first=Sven |date=13 June 2009 |title=Michael Kölmel: "Red Bull ist eine riesige Chance für Leipzig" |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article3918705/Red-Bull-ist-eine-riesige-Chance-fuer-Leipzig.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> It also knew that an investment in a club playing in one of the top divisions would meet legal difficulties,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=what sort of legal difficulties? and who from? supporters? club? football authorities?}} making such an investment risky.<ref name="AufEroberungsfeldzug">{{cite news |last=Bunda |first=Sascha |date=16 June 2009 |title=Rasenballsport Leipzig: Red Bull auf Eroberungsfeldzug |url=http://diepresse.com/home/sport/fussball/487564/Rasenballsport-Leipzig_Red-Bull-auf-Eroberungsfeldzug?parentid=564909&showMask=1 |language=de |newspaper=[[Die Presse]] |location=Wien |publisher=Die Presse Verlags-Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Flohr |first1=Sven |last2=Dunker |first2=Robert |date=29 April 2007 |title=Dietrich Mateschitz: Red-Bull-Chef will deutschem Klub Flügel verleihen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article839837/Red-Bull-Chef-will-deutschem-Klub-Fluegel-verleihen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> Instead, the company found that a newly established club, designed for the company, would be the better option for an investment.<ref name="AndereKandidaten"/><ref name="WirtschaftsExperte"/> Early in 2009, Red Bull GmbH contacted the [[Saxony Football Association|Saxony Football Association (SFV)]], about the procedure to establish a new club in Saxony.<ref name="Teufel"/>

A newly established club would need teams and a playing license. If it did not acquire a license from another club, it would have to start playing in the lowest tier league, the [[Kreisliga|Kreisklasse]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mdr.de/service/impressum/index.html |title=Das Ziel ist ganz klar die Bundesliga |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=4 January 2016 |website=mdr.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=[[Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk]] |language=de |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> The company searched for a club playing in the [[Oberliga (football)|Oberliga]],<ref name="Teufel"/> since 2008 the fifth tier in the German football league system, and therefore not subject to the DFB licensing system.<ref name="PlantLigaEinstieg"/> On the advice of media entrepreneur Michael Kölmel,<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/> the company was led to [[SSV Markranstädt]], a small club from a town 13 kilometers west of Leipzig.<ref name="GeldVerleihtFlügel">{{cite news |last1=Pittelkow |first1=Sebastian |last2=Schottner |first2=Dominik |date=15 July 2009 |title=Geld verleiht Flügel |url=https://www.freitag.de/autoren/der-freitag/geld-verleiht-flugel |language=de |newspaper=[[Der Freitag]] |location=Berlin |publisher=der Freitag Mediengesellschaft mbh & Co. KG |access-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> The club was positively inclined to entering a partnership with a global company.<ref name="AufEroberungsfeldzug"/> Its president, Holger Nussbaum, wanted to secure the club's long-term finances, and designed a plan to engage Red Bull GmbH. Holger Nussbaum presented his plan to Kölmel, who saw his chance and decided to join in the deal.<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/><ref name="AufEroberungsfeldzug"/> Assisted by Kölmel, Red Bull GmbH began negotiations with SSV Markranstädt.<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/> Five weeks after the negotiations began, SSV Markranstädt had agreed to sell its licence for the Oberliga to Red Bull GmbH.<ref name="GeldVerleihtFlügel"/> The cost was not disclosed, but SSV Markranstädt is believed to have received a compensation of 350,000 euro.<ref name="DieGruendungVonRB"/><ref name="ImSogdesKapitals">{{cite news |last=Kramer |first=Jörg |date=18 October 2010 |title=Im Sog des Kapitals |url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-74549748.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>

''RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V.'' was founded on 19 May 2009. All seven founding members were either employees or agents of Red Bull GmbH.<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/> Andreas Sadlo was elected chairman, and [[Joachim Krug]] was hired as sporting director. Andreas Sadlo, another founding member, was a well-known football player agent, working for the agency "Stars & Friends".<ref name="DerersteNeue">{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=André |last2=Krause |first2=Stefan |date=10 June 2009 |title=Wird er der erste Neue? |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/thomas-klaesener-soll-kommen-8642798.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="WieeinneuerSponsor">{{cite news |last=Lehmann |first=Marcus |date=16 June 2009 |title=Wie ein neuer Sponsor Flügel verleiht |url=https://www.kicker.de/wie-ein-neuer-sponsor-fluegel-verleiht-510215/artikel |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia Verlag GmbH |access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> In order to avoid future objections from the [[German Football Association]] (DFB), Sadlo resigned as player agent, before taking the position of chairman. The statutes of the DFB would not allow a player agent to be involved in the operating affairs of a club.<ref name="Teufel"/> Krug had earlier been employed as coach and manager by [[Rot Weiss Ahlen]], at that time known as ''LR Ahlen'' and sponsored by cosmetics manufacturer LR International.<ref name="OperationBundesliga">{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/artikel_124815.html |title=RB Leipzig startet 'Operation Bundesliga' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 July 2009 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=13 June 2016 |archive-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403015245/http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/artikel_124815.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/0907/News/rb-leipzig-startet-operation-bundesliga-fussball.html |title=RB Leipzig startet "Operation Bundesliga-Fußball" |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 July 2009 |website=spox.com |publisher=Perform Media Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="DorfvereinFlügel">{{cite news |last=Ruf |first=Christoph |date=25 September 2009 |title=RB Leipzig: Wenn ein Dorfverein Flügel bekommt |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/fussball/2009-09/lok-leipzig-red-bull |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>

RB Leipzig became the fifth football commitment in the Red Bull sporting portfolio, following [[FC Red Bull Salzburg]] in Austria, the [[New York Red Bulls]] in the United States, [[Red Bull Brasil]] in Brazil and [[Red Bull Ghana]] in Ghana.<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/> In contrast with previous clubs, RB Leipzig did not bear the corporate name. The statutes of the DFB would not permit a corporate name to be included in the club name.<ref name="DFBSatzung15§2"/><ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/> Instead, the club adopted the unusual name ''RasenBallsport'', literally meaning "Lawn Ball Sports". By using the initials "RB", as in "Red Bull",<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/> the corporate identity could still be recognized.<ref name="DorfvereinFlügel"/><ref name="Independent1">{{cite news |last=Paterson |first=Tony |date=24 June 2009 |title=East German football gets the kick it needs |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/east-german-football-gets-the-kick-it-needs-1716000.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Vetter |first=Claus |date=13 September 2013 |title=RB Leipzig Die guten Bullen |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/rb-leipzig-die-guten-bullen/8782038.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |publisher=Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=7 August 2015}}</ref>

RB Leipzig began as a partnership with fifth-division side SSV Markranstädt. The partnership meant that SSV Markranstädt would provide the initial core of RB Leipzig, as the starting point for RB's leap into German football.<ref name="PlantLigaEinstieg"/><ref name="Teufel"/> RB Leipzig acquired a playing license for the Oberliga, the top three men's teams and a senior men's team from SSV Markranstädt.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=what does it mean 'the top three men's teams'?}}<ref name="PlantLigaEinstieg"/><ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/><ref name="DerersteNeue"/><ref name="WieeinneuerSponsor"/> The first team was completely taken over, with its training staff and its head coach, Tino Vogel, son of former East German footballer [[Eberhard Vogel]].<!--was Vogel fired or hired?-->{{clarify|date=April 2023}}<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/><ref name="Zeit1"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Stahmer |first=K. |date=23 June 2009 |title=Der Markranstädt-Trainer: Fliegt RB auf Vogel? |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/trainer-tino-vogel-im-interview-8775480.bild.html |newspaper=Bild |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |location=Berlin |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>

The transfer of the licence for the Oberliga had to be approved by the [[North East German Football Association]] (NOFV). RB Leipzig would need at least four junior teams, including an A-junior team, to obtain the licence. In the deal, SSV Markranstädt had kept its junior department, and RB Leipzig lacked junior teams. Red Bull GmbH therefore approached FC Sachsen Leipzig. The club was experiencing financial issues, and could no longer finance its youth department.<ref name="DerersteNeue"/> The NOFV approved the transfer of the playing right on 13 June 2009, and RB Leipzig was given one year to complete its stable of junior teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://leipzig-seiten.de/index.php/kultur-unterhaltung-2/32-sport/fussball/11570-nofv-erteilt-spielgenehmigung-fberliga-teilnahme-von-rb-Leipzig |title=NOFV erteilt Spielgenehmigung für Oberliga-Teilnahme von RB Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=13 June 2009 |website=leipzig-seiten.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=LE-news-NET UG |language=de |access-date=20 March 2016 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712045034/https://leipzig-seiten.de/index.php/kultur-unterhaltung-2/32-sport/fussball/11570-nofv-erteilt-spielgenehmigung-fberliga-teilnahme-von-rb-Leipzig |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 June 2009 |title=Red Bull soll Leipziger Fußball Flügel verleihen |url=http://www.badische-zeitung.de/f-allgemein/red-bull-soll-leipziger-fussball-fluegel-verleihen--16034078.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Badische Zeitung]] |location=Freiburg im Breisgau |publisher=Badischer Verlag GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> The club then acquired four junior teams from FC Sachsen Leipzig.<ref name="nehmenAnlauf">{{cite news |last=Volker |first=Makus |date=3 August 2009 |title=Bullen nehmen Anlauf |url=http://www.taz.de/!5158708/ |language=de |newspaper=Die Tageszeitung |location=Berlin |publisher=taz Verlags u. Vertriebs GmbH |access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> The [[Saxony Football Association|Saxony Football Association (SFV)]] urged the acquisition, in order to prevent a talent exodus.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1 August 2009 |title=Reichenbach sieht keine Bevorzugung von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/reichenbach-sieht-keine-bevorzugung-von-rb-leipzig-aid-1.2447267 |newspaper=RP Online |publisher=RP Digital GmbH |location=Düsseldorf |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Ralph Hasenhüttl (2016).jpg|thumb|[[Ralph Hasenhüttl]], the club's first manager in the Bundesliga]]

RB Leipzig would play its inaugural season in the Oberliga at the [[Stadion am Bad]] in Markranstädt. The stadium held 5,000 seats and was the traditional home ground of SSV Markranstädt. The plans were for RB to soon move to the far larger Zentralstadion,<ref name="PlantLigaEinstieg"/> hopefully in 2010, after advancing to the Regionalliga.<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/><ref name="RiesigeChance"/> The stadium was owned by Michael Kölmel who had been known to Red Bull GmbH for years and had, as a negotiation partner, facilitated the establishment of RB Leipzig.<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/><ref name="RiesigeChance"/> Michael Kölmel had himself been involved in local football previously, as a sponsor of FC Sachsen Leipzig. He was eager to find a strong tenant for the stadium, which last saw FC Sachsen Leipzig play in the Regionalliga behind closed doors.{{clarify|date=April 2023}}<ref name="RiesigeChance"/><ref name="Zeit1">{{cite news |last=Spannagel |first=Lars |date=16 June 2009 |title=Investor Red Bull: In acht Jahren in die Bundesliga |url=http://www.zeit.de/online/2009/25/red-bull-leipzig-mateschitz-dfb |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> Negotiations between Red Bull GmbH and Michael Kölmel began immediately upon the club's founding. Red Bull GmbH reserved the naming right to the stadium in June 2009, meaning that the name could not be sold to another company.<ref name="MischtdieBundesliga"/><ref name="RiesigeChance"/><ref name="AufEroberungsfeldzug"/><ref name="BlühendenFußballLandschaft">{{cite news |last=Horeni |first=Michael |date=26 June 2009 |title=Versprechen einer blühenden Fußball-Landschaft |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/rasen-ball-leipzig-versprechen-einer-bluehenden-fussball-landschaft-1811273.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref>

On its founding, RB Leipzig aimed to play first-division Bundesliga football within eight years, following the model previously used by Red Bull GmbH in Austria and the United States.<ref name="Zeit1"/><ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/> It was predicted{{by whom|date=January 2024}} that Red Bull GmbH would invest 100 million euro in the club over a period of ten years, and Mateschitz openly spoke of the possibility of ultimately winning the German championship.<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/><ref name="Independent1"/><ref name="Zeit1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archiv.sport1.de/de/fussball/artikel_121784.html |title=Mateschitz: Titel mit RB Leipzig prinzipiell möglich |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=24 June 2009 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=5 August 2015}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The last team from Leipzig to do so was [[VfB Leipzig]] in 1913.<ref name="Fußballschlaf"/>

===2009–2016: Rise through the divisions===
After some previously scheduled games had to be canceled due to safety concerns, RB Leipzig played its first match on 10 July 2009, a friendly match against the [[Landesliga]] club SV Bannewitz.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The match was played at the ''Stadion am Bad'' in [[Markranstädt]] and ended with a 5–0 win for RB Leipzig. The club played its first competitive match on 31 July 2009, in the first round of the [[Saxony Cup]] against VfK Blau–Weiß Leipzig, winning 5-0.<ref name="bundesligahistoryofrb">{{cite web |title=From the fifth division to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 11 years: the history of RB Leipzig |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/history-of-rb-leipzig-from-fifth-division-to-champions-league-nagelsmann-rangnick-12466 |publisher=Bundesliga |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=en |date=7 August 2022}}</ref> The club then played its first league match away to [[FC Carl Zeiss Jena|FC Carl Zeiss Jena II]] on 8 August 2009. The match ended 1–1.<ref name="bundesligahistoryofrb" />

During the further course of the season, RB Leipzig suffered its first defeat on 13 September 2009, in a match against [[Budissa Bautzen]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The club was claimed the title of ''[[Herbstmeister]]'', as they stood in first place after the first half of the 2009–10 season.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The team returned for the second half of the season stronger, having signed the experienced midfielder and 2. Bundesliga player [[Timo Rost]] from [[FC Energie Cottbus|Energie Cottbus]] in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=5 January 2010 |title=RB Leipzig verstärkt sich mit Timo Rost |url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/wm–2010/national–rb–leipzig–verstaerkt–sich–mit–timo–rost_aid_468173.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> The team secured first place in the 2009–10 NOFV–Oberliga Süd at the 25th matchday, thus earning promotion to the 2010–11 [[Regionalliga Nord]]. The team finished the season with a goal difference of +57 (74 scored and 17 conceded), having suffered only two defeats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oberliga bis 12/13 - Deutschland – Herren - 2009/2010: Ergebnisse, Tabelle und Spielplan |url=https://www.fussball.de/spieltagsuebersicht/nofv-oberliga-sued-deutschland-oberliga-bis-12-13-herren-saison0910-deutschland/-/staffel/012SBT885O000000VV0AG813VTSS985H-G#!/ |website=www.fussball.de |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=de |date=29 May 2010}}</ref> The playing right for the Regionalliga was issued by the DFB on 4 May 2010.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} RB Leipzig targeted a place in the 2010–11 DFB–Pokal, which would have been won by winning the 2009–10 Saxony Cup.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The team reached the quarterfinals in the Saxony Cup, but was eliminated after a defeat against [[FSV Zwickau]] on 13 November 2009.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The incumbent chairman, Andreas Saldo, left the club in January 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_110.html |title=Andreas Sadlo verlässt RB Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 January 2010 |website=redbulls.com |publisher=Red Bull GmbH |location=Fuschl am See |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118092850/http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_110.html |archive-date=18 January 2010 |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> and the position was assumed by the former [[Hamburger SV]] sporting director and incumbent sporting director for the common Red Bull football commitment [[Dietmar Beiersdorfer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_137.html |title=RB Leipzig zieht in neue Geschäftsstelle |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=24 February 2010 |website=redbulls.com |publisher=Red Bull GmbH |location=Fuschl am See |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228160418/http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_137.html |archive-date=28 February 2010 |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=24 February 2010 |title=Beiersdorfer neuer Boss bei RB Leipzig |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article6541993/Beiersdorfer–neuer–Boss–bei–RB–Leipzig.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> One day after the last match of the 2009–10 season, Beiersdorfer released head coach Tino Vogel, assistant coach Lars Weißenberger and sporting director Joachim Krug from their positions.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 May 2010 |title=Tino Vogel muss als Cheftrainer bei RB Leipzig gehen&nbsp;– Sportdirektor Krug freigestellt |url=http://oberliga.lvz-online.de/lvzs.site,postext,aktuell-rb,artikel_id,22376.html |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags– und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602032222/http://oberliga.lvz-online.de/lvzs.site,postext,aktuell-rb,artikel_id,22376.html |archive-date =2 June 2010 |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> This action was done after Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz had announced a change in strategy. According to the new strategy, RB Leipzig was going to represent the key project in the football commitment of the company, in place of FC Red Bull Salzburg.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 May 2010 |title=Mateschitz will das große Geld lieber in Leipzig investieren |url=http://www.krone.at/Sport/Mateschitz_will_das_grosse_Geld_lieber_in_Leipzig_investieren–Nur_U21_in_Salzburg–Story–199223 |language=de |newspaper=Kronen Zeitung |location=Wien |publisher=Krone Multimedia GmbH & Co KG |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> Tomas Oral was announced as the new head coach on 18 June 2010.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The players Christian Mittenzwei, [[Sebastian Hauck]], Stefan Schumann, Toni Jurascheck and [[Michael Lerchl]] did not receive new contracts for the following Regionalliga season, while players Frank Räbsch, Ronny Kujat and two other players ended their careers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_171.html |title=RBL–Gala zum Abschied von Markranstädt |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=22 May 2010 |website=redbulls.com |publisher=Red Bull GmbH |location=Fuschl am See |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529051943/http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_171.html |archive-date =29 May 2010 |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:left;"
|+Team development
|-
! Season 2008–09 !! Season 2009–10 !! Season 2010–11
|-
| SSV Markranstädt || '''RB Leipzig''' || '''RB Leipzig'''
|-
| || ESV Delitzsch || '''RB Leipzig II'''
|-
| SSV Markranstädt II || '''RB Leipzig II''' || SSV Markranstädt
|-
| || ESV Delitzsch II || ESV Delitzsch
|-
| SSV Markranstädt III || '''RB Leipzig III''' || SSV Markranstädt II
|-
| || '''RB Leipzig IV''' || SSV Markranstädt III
|}

Before entry to the Regionalliga, there were two significant changes in the club. The club returned the second, third and fourth team to SSV Markranstädt. In order to replace the reserve team, the club adopted the first team of ESV Delitzsch as its reserve team and purchased its playing right for the [[Bezirksliga|Bezirksliga Leipzig]].<ref name="StelltWeichen">{{cite web |url=http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_176.html |title=Regionalligist RB Leipzig stellt Weichen |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 May 2010 |website=redbulls.com |publisher=Red Bull GmbH |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603145429/http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_176.html |archive-date=3 June 2010 |access-date=7 August 2015}}</ref> The first team moved from the Stadion am Bad in [[Markranstädt]], to make the Zentralstadion in Leipzig its new home arena. The former 2006 FIFA World Cup venue was simultaneously renamed Red Bull Arena.<ref name="Teufel"/><ref name="Guardian1">{{cite news |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=17 June 2009 |title=Why RB Leipzig are sending shockwaves through German football |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/06/rb-leipzig-sending-shockwaves-through-german-football |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> The opening of the Red Bull Arena was celebrated on 24 July 2010 with a friendly match against the German vice-champions [[FC Schalke 04]] in front of 21,566 spectators. The match ended with a 1–2 loss for RB Leipzig.<ref name="ArenaEröffnung">{{cite web |url=http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_213.html |title=RBL feiert gelungene Arena-Eröffnung |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=24 July 2010 |website=redbulls.com |publisher=Red Bull GmbH |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826040927/http://redbulls.com/soccer/leipzig/de/rb-leipzig-news-detail_213.html |archive-date=26 August 2010 |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref> The first team played its last game at the Stadion am Bad six days later on 30 July 2010, a friendly match against [[Hertha BSC]], which ended with a 2–1 win for RB Leipzig.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The 2010–11 Regionalliga season started with a series of draws, the first one on 6 August 2010 against [[Türkiyemspor Berlin]] in front of 4,028 spectators at the Red Bull Arena. The first win came at the 4th matchday, in an away match against [[Holstein Kiel]], which ended 1–2 for RB Leipzig. The first home win came immediately after, at the 5th matchday, in a match against [[1. FC Magdeburg]], which ended 2–1 for RB Leipzig. After a quiet start to the season, the club found itself chasing [[Chemnitzer FC]], themselves also seeking promotion. At the end of the year, RB Leipzig confirmed its ambitions to gain promotion, by signing Brazilian midfielder [[Thiago Rockenbach]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Roth |first=Andreas |date=6 January 2011 |title=RB will mit Rockenbach da Silva angreifen&nbsp;– Oral bittet zwei Wochen in die Türkei |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/RB-will-mit-Rockenbach-da-Silva-angreifen-Oral-bittet-zwei-Wochen-in-die-Tuerkei |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=25 October 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012853/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/RB-will-mit-Rockenbach-da-Silva-angreifen-Oral-bittet-zwei-Wochen-in-die-Tuerkei |url-status=dead}}</ref> The club had signed forward [[Carsten Kammlott]], considered{{by whom|date=January 2024}} a promising young talent, and the experienced Leipzig-born defender [[Tim Sebastian (footballer)|Tim Sebastian]], during the summer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krause |first1=S. |last2=Windisch |first2=M. |date=6 July 2010 |title=Super-Talent Kammlott stürmt zu den Bullen |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/super-talent-carsten-kammlott-stuermt-zu-den-bullen-13197078.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=16 June 2010 |title=RB Leipzig&nbsp;– Sebastian kommt aus Rostock |url=http://www.reviersport.de/121285---rb-leipzig-tim-sebastian-kommt-aus-rostock.html |language=de |newspaper=Revier Sport |location=Essen |publisher=RevierSport online GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref>

The club finished its first season in the Regionalliga in 4th place, thus missing out on promotion. However, under coach Tomas Oral, the club succeeded in winning the 2010–11 Saxony Cup after defeating [[Chemnitzer FC]] 1–0 in the final on 1 June 2011 in front of 13,958 spectators at the Red Bull Arena. By winning the 2010–11 Saxony Cup, the club won its first title in club history. It also qualified to participate in the [[2011–12 DFB-Pokal]].<ref name="SächsischeZeitung">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1 June 2011 |title=RB Leipzig gewinnt Sachsen-Pokal |url=http://www.sz-online.de/sachsen/regionalsport/rb-leipzig-gewinnt-sachsen-pokal-757166.html |language=de |newspaper=Sächsische Zeitung |location=Dresden |publisher=Sächsische Zeitung GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053647/http://www.sz-online.de/sachsen/regionalsport/rb-leipzig-gewinnt-sachsen-pokal-757166.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Because the club missed out on promotion during the second half of the 2010–11 season, [[Peter Pacult]] from [[Rapid Wien]] was announced as the new head coach for the 2011–12 season on 4 May 2011. Almost simultaneously, the club announced that sporting director [[Thomas Linke]] had been released from his position, having been employed for only 10 weeks, from February 2011. Various media suspected a connection between the signing of Pacult and the departure of Linke.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=4 May 2011 |title=Nur kurze Amtszeit&nbsp;– Linke verlässt RB Leipzig |url=http://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Linke-verlaesst-RB-Leipzig-article3256146.html |language=de |newspaper=n-tv |location=Cologne |publisher=n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/regionalliga/1105/News/peter-pacult-neuer-trainer-bei-viertligist-rb-leipzig-ruecktritt-von-sportdirektor-thomas-linke.html |title=Rücktritt von Sportdirektor Thomas Linke&nbsp;– Pacult: Leipzig ist "höchstinteressante" Aufgabe |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=5 May 2015 |website=spox.com |location=Unterföhring |publisher=Perform Media Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref>

Also, several players left the team, among them [[Lars Müller]], [[Sven Neuhaus]], [[Thomas Kläsener]] and [[Nico Frommer]], all participants in the previous Saxony Cup final.<ref name="SächsischeZeitung"/> With Daniel Rosin, Timo Rost and Benjamin Bellot, only three players from the former Oberliga team remained in the team for the 2011–12 Regionalliga season, while the former international [[Ingo Hertzsch]] as a fourth of these players remained in the club.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='only three'? 'while...a fourth of these players'? the fourth of three? what?}} Hertzsch ended his professional career after the 2010–11 season, but went on to join the reserve team, RB Leipzig II, and the RB Leipzig business operation.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=31 May 2011 |title=Hertzsch beendet Karriere, bleibt aber bei RB |url=https://www.kicker.de/hertzsch-beendet-karriere-bleibt-aber-bei-rb-553302/artikel |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref> On 29 July 2011, RB Leipzig made its debut in the [[DFB-Pokal]], in front of 31,212 spectators at the Red Bull Arena. The team knocked Bundesliga club [[VfL Wolfsburg]] out of the first round of the cup, beating them 3–2 after a [[hat-trick]] by [[Daniel Frahn]].<ref name="LeipzigschmeißtWolfsburg">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 July 2011 |title=DFB-Pokal: Viertligist Leipzig schmeißt Wolfsburg raus |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/dfb-pokal-viertligist-leipzig-schmeisst-wolfsburg-raus-a-777450.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> The team was eliminated in the next round, defeated 0–1 by [[FC Augsburg]]. The 2011–12 Regionalliga season saw the largest win in club history, when RB Leipzig defeated [[SV Wilhelmshaven]] 8–2 on 19 February 2012.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=19 February 2012 |title=Torfestival in der Red-Bull-Arena: RB Leipzig schlägt den SV Wilhelmshaven mit 8:2 |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Torfestival-in-der-Red-Bull-Arena-RB-Leipzig-schlaegt-den-SV-Wilhelmshaven-mit-8-2 |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckerei-Verwaltungs-GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012930/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Torfestival-in-der-Red-Bull-Arena-RB-Leipzig-schlaegt-den-SV-Wilhelmshaven-mit-8-2 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After a decisive 2–2 draw against [[VfL Wolfsburg|VfL Wolfsburg II]] at the 33rd matchday, the club missed out on promotion for the second time in the Regionalliga, finishing the season in 3rd place.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
[[File:Ralf Rangnick 2011 2.jpg|thumb|right|Ralf Rangnick in 2011, as head coach of Schalke 04]]

The 2012–13 season in the reformed [[Regionalliga Nordost]] began with major personnel changes. Former [[Schalke 04]] head coach [[Ralf Rangnick]] was introduced as the new sporting director. Coinciding with his arrival, he replaced head coach Peter Pacult with former [[SG Sonnenhof Großaspach]] coach [[Alexander Zorniger]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 July 2012 |title=RB Leipzig: Trainerwechsel beim Viertligisten&nbsp;– Rangnick entlässt Pacult, Zorniger schon da |url=https://www.kicker.de/rangnick-entlaesst-pacult-zorniger-schon-da-571346/artikel |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 July 2012 |title=Rangnick: "Neue Zeitrechnung" |url=https://www.kicker.de/rangnick_neue-zeitrechnung-571386/artikel |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref> The season proved more successful than the previous two. The club won the ''Herbstmeister'' title with two matchdays left of the first half of the season, after defeating [[FSV Zwickau]] 1–0 away.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The team then secured first place in the 2012–13 Regionalliga Nordost at the 18th matchday, after the second placed club [[FC Carl Zeiss Jena]] lost a match against [[Berliner AK 07]] on 7 May 2013 and, as a consequence, were no longer able to overtake RB.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The 2012–13 Saxony Cup was another success. The club reached the final for the second time in club history and, as in 2011, the opponent was Chemnitzer FC. The team won the final on 15 May 2013 by 4–2 in front of 16,864 spectators at the Red Bull Arena. The crowd number set a new record for a Saxony Cup final, breaking the previous record from 2011. By winning the 2012–13 Saxony Cup, the club was also qualified to participate in the 2013–14 DFB-Pokal.<ref name="PackendesFinale">{{cite news |last=Grimm |first=Anne |date=15 May 2013 |title=Packendes Finale im Sachsenpokal&nbsp;– RB Leipzig bezwingt Chemnitz und holt den Pott |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Packendes-Finale-im-Sachsenpokal-RB-Leipzig-bezwingt-Chemnitz-und-holt-den-Pott |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=25 October 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012918/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Packendes-Finale-im-Sachsenpokal-RB-Leipzig-bezwingt-Chemnitz-und-holt-den-Pott |url-status=dead}}</ref> As the winner of the 2012–13 Regionallig Nordost, RB Leipzig won a place in the qualification for the [[3. Liga]]. The club was drawn against [[Sportfreunde Lotte]] from the [[Regionalliga West]]. RB Leipzig won the first leg on 29 May 2013 by 2–0. The match was played at the Red Bull Arena in front of 30,104 spectators, a crowd number which set a new record for matches in the 4th division.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 May 2013 |title=Für Regionalliga Weltklasse |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/fussball-fuer-regionalliga-weltklasse-12200952.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="RekordKulisse">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 May 2014 |title=Relegations-Hinspiel zur dritten Liga: Leipzig siegt vor Rekord-Kulisse |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-siegt-vor-rekord-kulisse-gegen-lotte-a-902684.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

The second leg was played on 2 June 2013 and ended 2–2 after two goals to RB Leipzig during extra time.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The result meant that RB Leipzig had finally won promotion to the 3. Liga, after three seasons in the Regionalliga. In the [[2013–14 RB Leipzig season|2013–14 season]], RB Leipzig made its first appearance in the 3. Liga in club history.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The club signed [[Anthony Jung]] from [[FSV Frankfurt]], [[Tobias Willers]] from Sportfreunde Lotte, [[Joshua Kimmich]] from the U19 team of [[VfB Stuttgart]], [[André Luge]] from FSV Zwickau, [[Christos Papadimitriou (footballer)|Christos Papadimitriou]] from [[AEK Athens]], [[Yussuf Poulsen]] from [[Lyngby BK]] and [[Denis Thomalla]] from [[TSG 1899 Hoffenheim]] during the summer.

RB Leipzig was eliminated by FC Augsburg in the first round of the [[2013–14 DFB-Pokal]] on 2 August 2013 after losing 0–2 at the Red Bull Arena.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The defeat brought an end to a year-long series without defeat in competitive matches.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The 2013–14 3. Liga had a more promising start. The team won its first match, against [[Hallescher FC]] away, by 1–0 on 19 July 2013 and kept an undefeated streak until 31 August 2013, when the team lost 1–2 to first placed team [[SV Wehen Wiesbaden]] away.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} On 5 October 2013, RB Leipzig again met the first placed team.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} SV Wehen Wiesbaden had lost its first-place position to [[1. FC Heidenheim]] only one week after its defeat of RB Leipzig.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} 1. FC Heidenheim would defend it until the end of the season.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} RB Leipzig defeated 1. FC Heidenheim by 2–0 after a convincing{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} performance at the [[Voith-Arena]] and climbed to third place.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} During the winter break, players Christos Papadimitriou, [[Juri Judt]], Carsten Kammlott and [[Bastian Schulz]] left the team.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In return, the team was joined by [[Diego Demme]] from [[SC Paderborn 07]], [[Federico Palacios Martínez]] from [[VfL Wolfsburg]], [[Mikko Sumusalo]] from [[HJK Helsinki]] and [[Georg Teigl]] from [[FC Red Bull Salzburg]].
[[File:Georg teigl15.JPG|right|thumb|Georg Teigl playing a match for FC Red Bull Salzburg in May 2013]]

After losing 1–2 away to [[MSV Duisburg]] on 1 February 2014, the team would not concede a single defeat for the rest of the season.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} A thrilling duel with [[SV Darmstadt 98]] appeared,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='appeared'?}} with both teams fighting for the crucial second place. The two teams met at the 35th matchday, on 19 April 2014. RB Leipzig came out as the winner, defeating SV Darmstadt 98 by 1–0 in front of 39,147 spectators at the Red Bull Arena.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=19 April 2014 |title=RB dank Jungs Hammer näher am Ziel |url=https://www.kicker.de/leipzig-gegen-darmstadt-2014-liga-1897434/analyse |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> RB Leipzig secured the second place and direct promotion to the [[2. Bundesliga]] two weeks later, after defeating last placed team [[1. FC Saarbrücken]] 5–1 in front of a nearly sold out Red Bull Arena on 3 May 2014. The crowd of 42,713 spectators set a new club record.<ref name="Durchmarschin2.Fußball">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 May 2014 |title=Aufgestiegen&nbsp;– RB Leipzig schafft Durchmarsch in 2. Fußball-Bundesliga |url=http://www.morgenpost.de/sport/article127584655/RB-Leipzig-schafft-Durchmarsch-in-2-Fussball-Bundesliga.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Berliner Morgenpost]] |location=Berlin |publisher=Berliner Morgenpost GmbH |access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="Saarbrücken">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 May 2015 |title=RB Leipzig macht Aufstieg in die 2. Liga perfekt |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/5-1-gegen-saarbruecken-rb-leipzig-macht-aufstieg-in-die-2-liga-perfekt/9839912.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Der Tagesspiegel]] |location=Berlin |publisher=Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH |access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref>

By finishing the season in second place, RB Leipzig won promotion to the 2. Bundesliga and became the first team since the introduction of the 3. Liga to win promotion to the 2. Bundesliga after only one season.<ref name="Saarbrücken"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 May 2014 |title=RB Leipzig schreibt mit Aufstieg Geschichte |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article127579165/RB-Leipzig-schreibt-mit-Aufstieg-Geschichte.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Die Welt]] |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> Following promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, the organization responsible for licensing was no longer the DFB, but instead the [[Deutsche Fußball Liga|German Football League (DFL)]]. The DFL announced its first decision in the licensing process on 22 April 2014. RB Leipzig was to be given a license for the [[2014–15 2. Bundesliga|2014–15 2. Bundesliga season]], but only under certain conditions.<ref name="Kicker">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 April 2014 |title=RB Leipzig muss bei Aufstieg sein Logo ändern |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leipzig-muss-bei-aufstieg-sein-logo-aendern-603363/artikel |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> Criticism mounted that the club lacked in participation, that club management was too concentrated in only a handful of people<ref name="taz.de">{{cite news |last=Henning |first=John |date=3 May 2014 |title=Fußballklub RB Leipzig&nbsp;– DFL verleiht Flügel |url=http://www.taz.de/!5043233/ |language=de |newspaper=Die Tageszeitung |location=Berlin |publisher=taz Verlags u. Vertriebs GmbH |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> and that the club was not independent enough from Red Bull GmbH.<ref name="Kicker"/> To ensure independence and improve participation, the DFL set up three requirements that the club had to meet in order to obtain a license for the 2014–15 2. Bundesliga season.<ref name="taz.de"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=29 May 2014 |title=Die überraschende Nachsicht der DFL mit RB Leipzig |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article128505732/Die-ueberraschende-Nachsicht-der-DFL-mit-RB-Leipzig.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> One of the requirements was to redesign the crest, as the crest too closely resembled the corporate logo of Red Bull GmbH. A second requirement was to change the composition of the club's organizational bodies.<ref name="l-iz.de"/> A third requirement was to lower the membership fees and open up the association for new members.<ref name="leipzig.sportbuzzer.de">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=24 April 2014 |title=Medienbericht: RB Leipzig muss Logo und Vorstandsriege ändern&nbsp;– Mitgliedsbeitrag zu hoch |url=http://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/medienbericht-rb-leipzig-muss-logo-und-vorstandsriege-andern-mitgliedsbeitrag-zu/ |language=de |newspaper=Sportbuzzer |location=Hannover |publisher=Sportbuzzer GmbH |access-date=29 April 2017 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521032053/https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/medienbericht-rb-leipzig-muss-logo-und-vorstandsriege-andern-mitgliedsbeitrag-zu/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The German legal magazine ''Legal Tribune Online'' assessed all three requirements set up by the DFL as legally questionable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lto.de/recht/hintergruende/h/rb-leipzig-aufstieg-lizenz/?googlenews=1&cHash=7605bfd87f5ea70bd1512bcd8dd18c35 |title=Red Bull belbt ostdeutschen Fußall wieder |last=Arnhold |first=Johannes |date=29 April 2014 |website=lto.de |location=Cologne |publisher=Wolters Kluwer Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref>

RB Leipzig filed an appeal on 30 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liga3-online.de/leipzig-legt-beschwerde-gegen-lizenz-auflagen-ein/ |title=RB Leipzig legt Beschwerde gegen Lizenz-Auflagen ein |last=Koch |first=Julian |date=30 April 2014 |website=liga3-online.de |location=Hamburg |publisher=mediasports Digital GmbH |language=de |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> Sporting director Ralf Rangnick appeared in the media and suggested compromise with the DFL, stating that what the jerseys look like were not as important as those who would be wearing them.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 May 2014 |title=RB Leipzig im Lizenzverfahren zu Kompromissen bereit |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/fussball-3-liga-rb-leipzig-im-lizenzverfahren-zu-kompromissen-bereit/9835988.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Handelsblatt]] |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Handelsblatt GmbH |access-date=29 December 2015 |quote=Wenn die DFL will, dass wir das Logo ändern, dann werden wir das tun. Es ist nicht wichtig, was auf dem Trikot steht, sondern was drin ist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305134655/http://www.handelsblatt.com/fussball-3-liga-rb-leipzig-im-lizenzverfahren-zu-kompromissen-bereit/9835988.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The appeal was rejected in a second decision by the DFL on 8 May 2014.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2014 |title=Zweitliga-Aufsteiger: DFL lehnt Beschwerde von RB Leipzig ab |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/2-fussball-bundesliga-dfl-lehnt-beschwerde-von-rb-leipzig-ab-a-968240.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |location=Hamburg |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> Red Bull GmbH owner Dietrich Mateschitz spoke out in media, openly criticizing the decision by the DFL. He described the requirements as a "[[decapitation]] request" and categorically rejected another season in the 3. Liga, ultimately threatening to end the project in Leipzig if the license was not given.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=8 May 2014 |title=LVZ-Exklusiv: RB-Lizenz wackelt&nbsp;– Mateschitz schäumt |url=http://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/lvz-exklusiv-rb-lizenz-wackelt-mateschitz-schaumt/ |language=de |newspaper=Sportbuzzer |location=Hannover |publisher=Sportbuzzer GmbH |access-date=29 April 2017 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712055821/https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/lvz-exklusiv-rb-lizenz-wackelt-mateschitz-schaumt/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2014 |title=Mateschitz nach Attacke gegen RB Leipzig geschockt |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article127772305/Mateschitz-nach-Attacke-gegen-RB-Leipzig-geschockt.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga2/newspage_887994.html |title=Lizenz: RB Leipzig droht das Aus |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2015 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203104449/http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga2/newspage_887994.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

RB Leipzig filed a second appeal on 12 May 2014.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 May 2014 |title=Aufsteiger RB Leipzig legt erneut Beschwerde ein |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article127899758/Aufsteiger-RB-Leipzig-legt-erneut-Beschwerde-ein.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref> The DFL licensing committee was set to make a decision on the second appeal on 15 May 2014, before making its final decision on 28 May 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/id_69380828/rb-leipzig-legt-erneut-beschwerde-gegen-dfl-auflagen-ein.html |title=RB Leipzig legt erneut Beschwerde ein |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 May 2015 |website=t-online.de |location=Darmstadt |publisher=Digital Media Products GmbH |language=de |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=11 May 2015 |title=Jetzt entscheidet der Bayern-Boss |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/lizenz-zoff-35911402.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref> Sporting director Ralf Rangnick confirmed that the club was still in talks with the DFL and expressed optimism around the license.<ref name="auto"/> On 15 May 2014, a compromise was announced. The compromise meant that the club had to redesign its crest and ensure that club management was independent from Red Bull GmbH.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 May 2014 |title=RB Leipzig erhält Lizenz für zweite Bundesliga |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/dfl-rb-leipzig-erhaelt-lizenz-fuer-zweite-bundesliga-12941657.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 May 2014 |title=RB Leipzig erhält Lizenz für 2. Bundesliga |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2014-05/rasenballsport-leipzig-bundesliga-dfl |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=16 May 2014 |title=Lizenz ebnet RB Leipzigs geplanten Weg an die Spitze |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/sport/fussball-lizenz-ebnet-rb-leipzigs-geplanten-weg-an-die-spitze-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-140516-99-01799 |language=de |newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung |location=München |publisher=Süddeutsche Zeitung Digitale Medien GmbH |access-date=30 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023020804/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/sport/fussball-lizenz-ebnet-rb-leipzigs-geplanten-weg-an-die-spitze-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-140516-99-01799 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Austria vs. USA 2013-11-19 (118).jpg|thumb|left|Terrence Boyd playing a match for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] in November 2013]]

The club signed numerous players before the [[2014–15 RB Leipzig season|2014–15 season]], among them [[Rani Khedira]] from [[VfB Stuttgart]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nachrichten |first1=Stuttgarter |title=VfB Stuttgart: Rani Khedira wechselt zu RB Leipzig |url=https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.vfb-stuttgart-rani-khedira-wechselt-zu-rb-leipzig.3ae7701c-6816-4e0c-be4e-dae3529ae94c.html |website=stuttgarter-nachrichten.de |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=de |date=16 June 2014|trans-title=VfB Stuttgart: Rani Khedira is moving to RB Leipzig}}</ref> [[Lukas Klostermann]] from [[VfL Bochum]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Klostermann out for several months with injury |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37489138/rb-leipzig-lukas-klostermann-several-months-injury |publisher=ESPN |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=en |date=14 September 2016}}</ref> [[Marcel Sabitzer]] from [[FC Red Bull Salzburg]], [[Terrence Boyd]] from [[Rapid Wien]] and [[Massimo Bruno]] from [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|RSC Anderlecht]].<ref>{{cite web |title=RB leistet sich heimlich Bruno |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leistet-sich-heimlich-bruno-608607/artikel |website=kicker |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=de-DE |date=25 July 2014}}</ref> Several players also left the team. Massimo Bruno and Marcel Sabitzer were immediately transferred on loan to FC Red Bull Salzburg.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurioser Transfer: Marcel Sabitzer zu Red Bull Salzburg - über Leipzig |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/marcel-sabitzer-zu-red-bull-salzburg-uber-leipzig-6640660.html |publisher=Der Tagesspiegel |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=de-DE |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241116233727/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/marcel-sabitzer-zu-red-bull-salzburg-uber-leipzig-6640660.html|archive-date=16 November 2024|date=30 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Fabian Bredlow was transferred on loan to [[FC Liefering]], André Luge was transferred on loan to [[SV Elversberg]] and Thiago Rockenbach Silva joined Hertha BSC II as a free agent.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The club spent an estimated sum of approximately 12 million euros on new players during the summer of 2014. The sum was large enough to put the club in 8th place of all clubs in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, thus spending more than half of all clubs in the first division.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grimm |first=Anne |date=2 September 2014 |title=RB Leipzig investiert fast 12 Millionen Euro in neue Spieler |url=http://leipzig.sportbuzzer.de/2-bundesliga/artikel/rb-leipzig-investiert-fast-12-millionen-euro-in-neue-spieler/5890/1 |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050244/http://leipzig.sportbuzzer.de/2-bundesliga/artikel/rb-leipzig-investiert-fast-12-millionen-euro-in-neue-spieler/5890/1 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref>

RB Leipzig played a series of friendly matches during the 2014–15 pre-season. On 18 July 2014, the team defeated [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] 4–2 in front of 35,796 spectators at the Red Bull Arena. The first goal was scored by Terrence Boyd, scoring his second goal in his second match for his new club. Terrence Boyd received the jersey of [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] from Paris Saint-Germain after the match.{{relevance inline|date=January 2024|reason=do players not often swap jerseys at the end of matches? why is this player receiving this other player's jersey - at the end of a friendly match in pre-season - relevant to this football club? possibly in Terrence Boyd's article? but here?}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Yvonne |date=18 July 2014 |title=Ärger bei 4:2-Sensations-Sieg gegen Paris Saint-Germain: Leipzig-Stars zoffen sich um Ibrahimovic-Trikot |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/boyd-klaut-frahn-ibrahimovic-trikot-36878168.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014/07/18/american-exports-red-bull-leipzigs-terrence-boyd-strikes-again-time-against-paris-st |title=American Exports: Red Bull Leipzig's Terrence Boyd strikes again, this time against Paris St-Germain |last=Seltzer |first=Greg |date=18 July 2014 |website=mlssoccer.com |publisher=Major League Soccer, L.L.C |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> On 26 July 2014, the team defeated [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] with 2–0 at the [[Stadion der Freundschaft (Gera)|Stadion der Freundschaft]] in [[Gera]]. Both goals were scored by Yussuf Poulsen.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Yvonne |date=26 July 2014 |title=2:0 im Test gegen Queens Park Rangers: Poulsen schießt die Bullen zum Sieg |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/yussuf-poulsen-schiesst-die-bullen-zum-sieg-gegen-queens-park-rangers-36989492.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref>

The 2014–15 2. Bundesliga season began with 0–0 draw against [[VfR Aalen]] on 2 August 2014, followed up by a couple of wins and another draw.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The first defeat in the league came at the 6th matchday, losing 1–2 against [[1. FC Union Berlin]] at the Red Bull Arena on 21 September 2014.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} After the 7th matchday, the club stood at second place in the league.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} RB Leipzig was drawn against [[SC Paderborn 07|SC Paderborn]] in the first round of the [[2014–15 DFB-Pokal]]. The team won the match 2–1 in extra time at the Red Bull Arena on 16 August 2014. In the second round, the club faced [[FC Erzgebirge Aue]], who they defeated 3–1 in extra time at the Red Bull Arena on 29 October 2015, qualifying for the round of 16 for first time in club history.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 October 2014 |title=DFB-Pokal RB Leipzig dreht Spiel: 3:1 gegen Erzgebirge Aue nach Verlängerung |url=http://www.mz-web.de/rb-leipzig/dfb-pokal-rb-leipzig-dreht-spiel--3-1-gegen-erzgebirge-aue-nach-verlaengerung,27404014,28892658.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Mitteldeutsche Zeitung]] |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> RB Leipzig then released its own club magazine ''Klub'' on 6 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/neuigkeiten/Saison_2014_15/KLUB-Magazin-Oktober-November.html |title=KLUB&nbsp;– das neue Vereinsmagazin der Roten Bullen feiert Premiere! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=dierotenbullen.com |publisher=RasenBallsport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref>

After a run of poor results, the club had dropped down to 7th place by the 13th matchday.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} On 23 November 2014, RB Leipzig defeated [[FC St. Pauli]] 4–1 in front of 38,660 spectators at the Red Bull Arena.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Two goals were scored by Terrence Boyd and the club climbed to 5th place. The success, however, was followed by a draw against [[SV Sandhausen]]. On 7 December 2014, the team met first placed team [[FC Ingolstadt 04|FC Ingolstadt]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} RB Leipzig lost 0–1, and the result meant that the club now stood at 8th place.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} RB Leipzig strengthened the team during the winter break by signing [[Omer Damari]] from Austria Wien, [[Emil Forsberg]] from [[Malmö FF]] and players [[Rodnei]] and [[Yordy Reyna]] from FC Red Bull Salzburg. The club spent an estimated sum of 10,7&nbsp;million euros on new players during the winter break, a sum which covered almost all transfer expenditures during the period for the whole of 2. Bundesliga.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=19 January 2015 |title=Red-Bull-Millionen verpflichten Leipzig zum Aufstieg |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article136527814/Red-Bull-Millionen-verpflichten-Leipzig-zum-Aufstieg.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ran.de/fussball/zweite-liga/bildergalerien/transfer-ausgaben-rb-leipzig-fast-gleichauf-mit-borussia-dortmund2 |title=Transfer-Ausgaben: RB Leipzig fast gleichauf mit Borussia Dortmund |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=ran.de |location=Unterföhring |publisher=ProSiebenSat.1 Digital GmbH |language=de |access-date=21 November 2015 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712104807/https://www.ran.de/fussball/zweite-liga/bildergalerien/transfer-ausgaben-rb-leipzig-fast-gleichauf-mit-borussia-dortmund2 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Emil Forsberg.jpg|thumb|upright|Emil Forsberg playing a match for Malmö FF against [[AIK Fotboll|AIK]] in June 2013]]

On 6 February 2015, the club lost 2–0 to [[FC Erzgebirge Aue|Erzgebirge Aue]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} As a consequence, the club had now played four matches without a win and had lost contact with the top placed teams.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} On the following Tuesday evening, the club summoned Alexander Zorninger to a meeting, and on Tuesday night, the club took the decision to part ways with him after the season.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The decision had been taken by the club management in consultation with Red Bull GmbH owner Dietrich Mateschitz.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The next morning, Alexander Zorniger announced his own decision to leave immediately.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The club received criticism for its decision. Under Alexander Zorniger, the club had risen from the Regionalliga to the 2. Bundesliga. Some media considered the decision to be a merciless one.<ref>{{cite news |last=Armbrecht |first=Anne |date=11 February 2015 |title=Leipziger Logik |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/alexander-zorniger-und-rb-leipzig-gehen-getrennte-wege-13422357.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine]] |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=11 February 2015 |title=Trainer Zorniger schmeißt bei RB Leipzig hin |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article137335266/Trainer-Zorniger-schmeisst-bei-RB-Leipzig-hin.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> Incumbent RB Leipzig U17 coach [[Achim Beierlorzer]] was announced as interim head coach for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroeme |first=Ullrih |date=12 February 2015 |title=RB-Trainer Beierlorzer: Rangnicks verlängerter Arm |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-das-ist-interimstrainer-achim-beierlorzer-a-1018146.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |location=Hamburg |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Yvonne |date=23 April 2015 |title=Morgen kann Beierlorzer schon besser als Vorgänger Zorniger sein&nbsp;– Wann macht ihn Rangnick zum richtigen Chef? |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/beierlorzer-morgen-schon-besser-als-zorniger-40653728.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref>

On 5 March 2015, RB Leipzig met [[VfL Wolfsburg]] in the third round of the 2014–15 DFB-Pokal. The club was eliminated after being defeated 2–0 at the Red Bull Arena. The match was attended by 43,348 spectators. It was the first time in club history that the stadium had been completely sold out.<ref name="17Malausverkauft">{{cite web |url=http://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Wie-Red-Bull-die-Leipziger-euphorisiert-article14638721.html |title=Bundesliga? "17 Mal ausverkauft!"&nbsp;– Wie Red Bull die Leipziger euphorisiert |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=5 March 2015 |website=n-tv.de |location=Cologne |publisher=n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH |language=de |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> The preferred candidate of sporting director Ralf Rangnick as new head coach from the summer was former [[1. FSV Mainz 05|Mainz 05]] coach [[Thomas Tuchel]], but the negotiations with Tuchel failed.{{vague|date=January 2024}} Another candidate was [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] junior coach [[Sascha Lewandowski]], but he too declined the offer. In May 2015, sporting director Ralf Rangnick was himself announced as new head coach from the summer, with Achim Beierlorzer as his assistant. Ralf Rangnick was planned{{by whom|date=January 2024|reason=who made this plan?}} to serve this double job for one season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/fussball/2-bundesliga/2015/05/tuchel-und-lewandowski-sagen-rb-leipzig-ab |title=Tuchel und Lewandowski sagen RB Leipzig ab&nbsp;– Rangnick findet nur: Rangnick |last=Winkler |first=Pierre |date=29 May 2015 |website=sport1.de |location=Ismaning |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |language=de |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=29 May 2015 |title=Neuer Leipzig-Trainer Rangnick: Dann mach ich's eben selbst |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/warum-ralf-rangnick-neuer-trainer-von-rb-leipzig-ist-a-1036248.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |location=Hamburg |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> RB Leipzig finished the [[2014–15 2. Bundesliga|2014–15 2. Bundesliga season]] in fifth place.

Before the [[2015–16 RB Leipzig season|2015–16 season]], RB Leipzig invested further in strengthening the team, signing [[Davie Selke]] from [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]], [[Atınç Nukan]] from [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]], [[Marcel Halstenberg]] from FC St. Pauli and [[Willi Orban]] from [[1. FC Kaiserslautern]]. Selke was signed for an estimated €8&nbsp;million, Nukan for an estimated €5&nbsp;million and Halstenberg for an estimated €3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/id_74785726/2-bundesliga-rb-leipzig-ist-mit-abstand-der-transfer-kroesus-.html |title=Leipzig Transfer-Krösus mit 22,6 Millionen Euro |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 July 2015 |website=t-online.de |location=Darmstadt |publisher=Digital Media Products GmbH |language=de |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305185526/http://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/id_74785726/2-bundesliga-rb-leipzig-ist-mit-abstand-der-transfer-kroesus-.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=31 August 2015 |title=Nächster Millionentransfer: RB Leipzig holt St. Paulis Halstenberg |url=http://www.zeit.de/news/2015-08/31/fussball-naechster-millionentransfer-rb-leipzig-holt-st-paulis-halstenberg-31103408 |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Joshua Kimmich]] was sold to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and [[Rodnei]] left to join [[TSV 1860 München|1860 Munich]] as free agent. RB Leipzig also made transfers with its unofficial sister club, FC Red Bull Salzburg. As at several times in the past, three players were signed on a free transfer, among them the [[Austria national football team|Austrian national]] [[Stefan Ilsanker (footballer)|Stefan Ilsanker]]. They were joined by Massimo Bruno and Marcel Sabitzer, returning to RB Leipzig from being on loan. These transfers provoked anger among the fans of FC Red Bull Salzburg. For several years, FC Red Bull Salzburg had transferred some of its best players to RB Leipzig.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Fans of FC Red Bull Salzburg were heard singing chants against RB Leipzig during a game in the [[Austrian Cup|ÖFB-Cup]] in April 2015, after Austrian media had reported that Stefan Ilsanker could move to Leipzig during the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kurier.at/sport/fussball/zwietracht-in-der-red-bull-familie-salzburg-fans-beschimpfen-rb-leipzig/127.775.092|title=Zwietracht in der Red-Bull-Familie|website=kurier.at|date=29 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 April 2015 |title=Red Bull Salzburg Fans singen gegen RB Leipzig |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Red-Bull-Salzburg-Fans-singen-gegen-RB-Leipzig&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=9669 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Fritz |first=Thomas |date=27 June 2015 |title=Wenn Red-Bull-Fans "Scheiß RB Leipzig" singen |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2015-06/rb-leipzig-salzburg-spielerwechsel |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref>

The signing of Davie Selke was record breaking, as it made him the most expensive player ever signed in the 2. Bundesliga's history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nordmann |first=Nils |date=3 March 2016 |title=RB Leipzigs Rekordtransfer versauert auf der Bank |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article152909255/RB-Leipzigs-Rekordtransfer-versauert-auf-der-Bank.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> In total, the club spent a sum of approximately €18.6&nbsp;million on new players during the summer of 2015, more than all other clubs in the 2. Bundesliga together.<ref>{{cite news |last=Möthe |first=Alexander |date=24 July 2015 |title=RB Leipzig als Krösus: Die berechenbarste 2. Liga aller Zeiten |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-als-kroesus-die-berechenbarste-2-liga-aller-zeiten/12103018.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Handelsblatt]] |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Handelsblatt GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Krause |first=Stefan |date=2 October 2015 |title=Im Winter kein Millionen-Umbau |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/kein-mio-umbau-des-kaders-42859012.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> During the pre-season 2015–16, RB Leipzig defeated [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] 5–4 in [[Bischofshofen]] on 8 July 2015,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 July 2015 |title=RB Leipzig siegt im Test gegen Premier-League-Team Southampton |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-siegt-im-Test-gegen-Premier-League-Team-Southampton |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011140/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-siegt-im-Test-gegen-Premier-League-Team-Southampton |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[FC Rubin Kazan|Rubin Kazan]] 1–0 in [[Leogang]] on 12 July 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bohländer |first=Marc |date=12 July 2015 |title=RB Leipzig schlägt Rubin Kasan&nbsp;– Russen sehen zweimal Rot |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-schlaegt-Rubin-Kasan-Russen-sehen-zweimal-Rot |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012902/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-schlaegt-Rubin-Kasan-Russen-sehen-zweimal-Rot |url-status=dead}}</ref> The team then beat [[Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.|Hapoel Tel Aviv]] 3–0 at the Red Bull Arena on 18 July 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Angermann |first=Johannes |date=18 July 2015 |title=RB Leipzig gewinnt Test gegen Hapoel Tel Aviv |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-gewinnt-Test-gegen-Hapoel-Tel-Aviv |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011008/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-gewinnt-Test-gegen-Hapoel-Tel-Aviv |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The club was drawn against [[VfL Osnabrück]] in the first round of the [[2015–16 DFB-Pokal]]. The match was played at the [[Stadion an der Bremer Brücke|Osnatel-Arena]] in [[Osnabrück]] on 10 August 2015. After Osnabrück scored in the first minute, the home fans celebrated so violently that barriers and safety net partially collapsed and the match had to be interrupted. The match was restarted and Osnabrück led the match into the second half. In the 71st minute, referee Martin Petersen was badly hit in the head by a lighter, thrown from the home stand. The lighter had been thrown after Petersen had tried to resolve an argument between Davie Selke and Osnabrück substitute [[Michael Hohnstedt]], resulting from a controversial situation in the Osnabrück [[penalty area]]. The match was again interrupted, and later cancelled.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frömmert |first=Michael |date=10 August 2015 |title=DFB ermittelt nach Spielabbruch bei RB-Leipzig-Spiel in Osnabrück |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/DFB-ermittelt-nach-Spielabbruch-bei-RB-Leipzig-Spiel-in-Osnabrueck |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012838/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/DFB-ermittelt-nach-Spielabbruch-bei-RB-Leipzig-Spiel-in-Osnabrueck |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 August 2015 |title=Pokalspiel zwischen Osnabrück und RB Leipzig abgebrochen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article145058215/Pokalspiel-zwischen-Osnabrueck-und-RB-Leipzig-abgebrochen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> RB Leipzig offered a replay,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 August 2015 |title=Keine Wiederholung: Abgebrochenes Pokalspiel wird für Leipzig gewertet |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/pokalspiel-osnabrueck-gegen-leipzig-wird-nicht-wiederholt-a-1048145.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |location=Hamburg |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> but the DFB decided the match to be counted as lost by Osnabrück 0–2.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/sportgericht-wertet-abgebrochenes-spiel-mit-20-fuer-rb-leipzig-128686/ |title=Sportgericht wertet abgebrochenes Spiel mit 2:0 für RB Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 August 2015 |website=dfb.de |publisher=Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V. |location=Frankfurt am Main |language=de|access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> RB Leipzig later decided to waive 20,000 euros of the 50,500 euros VfL Osnabrück owed the club for its share of the revenues from the match. RB Leipzig also allowed the payment of the remaining 30,500 to be postponed until the next year.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 November 2015 |title=Leipzig verzichtet zugunsten von Osnabrück auf 20.000 Euro |url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/dfb-pokal/rb-leipzig-verzichtet-zugunsten-von-osnabrueck-auf-20000-euro-aid-1.5577010 |language=de |newspaper=RP Online |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=RP Digital GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref>

In the midst of the [[2015 European migrant crisis]], the club, staff, players and fans of RB Leipzig showed support for refugees. In August 2015, RB Leipzig donated €50,000 to the City of Leipzig for its work with helping asylum seekers.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The club also sold 60 containers from its training center, including sanitary facilities, to the city, in order to serve as accommodation for asylum seekers.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The club had originally invested around €500,000 in the containers.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Moreover, the club became patrons of the initiative "Willkommen im Fußball", giving refugee children the opportunity to play football.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 August 2015 |title=RB Leipzig unterstützt Flüchtlinge und spendet Geld |url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/sachsen/article144944074/RB-Leipzig-unterstuetzt-Fluechtlinge-und-spendet-Geld.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 August 2015 |title="Willkommen im Fußball": RB Leipzig unterstützt Flüchtlingsarbeit in Leipzig mit Geld und Containern |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-unterstuetzt-Fluechtlingsarbeit-in-Leipzig-mit-Geld-und-Containern |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063036/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-unterstuetzt-Fluechtlingsarbeit-in-Leipzig-mit-Geld-und-Containern |url-status=dead}}</ref> Staff and players of RB Leipzig collected and donated sporting equipment and private clothes to refugees.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Also sporting director and head coach Ralf Rangnick participated in the donation, with personal concern for the commitment, citing his own background as being a child to refugees.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} His parents had met in a refugee camp at [[Glauchau]], his father had fled from [[Königsberg]] and his mother from [[Breslau]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 August 2015 |title=Spieler von RB Leipzig spenden Kleidung für Flüchtlinge |url=http://www.focus.de/regional/leipzig/fussball-spieler-von-rb-leipzig-spenden-kleidung-fuer-fluechtlinge_id_4905500.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 August 2015 |title=Spenden aus dem Kleiderschrank: Profis von RB Leipzig helfen Flüchtlingen |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Spenden-aus-dem-Kleiderschrank-Profis-von-RB-Leipzig-helfen-Fluechtlingen |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012851/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Spenden-aus-dem-Kleiderschrank-Profis-von-RB-Leipzig-helfen-Fluechtlingen |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 August 2015 |title=RB Leipzig spendet Kleidung für Flüchtlinge |url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/sachsen/article145777873/RB-Leipzig-spendet-Kleidung-fuer-Fluechtlinge.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> By an initiative of fans, RB Leipzig invited refugees on free admission to watch its home match against [[SC Paderborn]] on 11 September 2015.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 September 2015 |title=RB Leipzig lädt Flüchtlinge zum Heimspiel ein |url=http://www.mz-web.de/rb-leipzig/fan-initiative--refugees-welcome--rb-leipzig-laedt-fluechtlinge-zum-heimspiel-ein,27404014,31702734.html |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=ter Vehn |first=Evelyn |date=3 September 2015 |title=RB Leipzig lädt Flüchtlinge zu Paderborn-Spiel ein |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-laedt-Fluechtlinge-zu-Paderborn-Spiel-ein |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012933/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-laedt-Fluechtlinge-zu-Paderborn-Spiel-ein |url-status=dead}}</ref> 450 refugees attended the match, and they were met and accompanied by 200 fans beforehand.<ref>{{cite news |last=Anne |first=Grimm |date=10 September 2015 |title=450 Flüchtlinge besuchen das Heimspiel von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/450-Fluechtlinge-besuchen-das-Heimspiel-von-RB-Leipzig |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090805/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/450-Fluechtlinge-besuchen-das-Heimspiel-von-RB-Leipzig |url-status=dead}}</ref>

RB Leipzig advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal, being eliminated after losing 3–0 to a strong playing [[SpVgg Unterhaching]] from the [[Regionalliga Bayern]] at the [[Alpenbauer Sportpark]] on 27 October 2015.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=is the Regionalliga Bayern at the Alpenbauer Sportpark?}}<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=27 October 2015 |title=0:3 in Unterhaching: Leipzig scheitert im Pokal kläglich |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/fussball-dfb-pokal-0-3-in-unterhaching-leipzig-scheitert-im-pokal-klaeglich/12506674.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Handelsblatt]] |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Handelsblatt GmbH |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123031404/http://www.handelsblatt.com/fussball-dfb-pokal-0-3-in-unterhaching-leipzig-scheitert-im-pokal-klaeglich/12506674.html |archive-date=23 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After defeating SV Sandhausen 2–1 away at the 13th matchday on 1 November 2015, RB Leipzig stood at first place in the league.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1 November 2015 |title=RB Leipzig gewinnt in Sandhausen und ist Tabellenführer |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-gewinnt-in-Sandhausen-und-ist-Tabellenfuehrer |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012857/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/Spielberichte/RB-Leipzig-gewinnt-in-Sandhausen-und-ist-Tabellenfuehrer |url-status=dead}}</ref> The position was however quickly lost already at the next matchday,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='quickly lost already'?}} with the team being surpassed by [[SC Freiburg]] and [[FC St. Pauli]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Krause |first=Stefan |date=9 November 2015 |title=Rangnick sauer auf sich selbst |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/ralf-rangnick/sauer-auf-sich-selbst-43319124.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> But, following a series of wins, the team returned to the leading position on 13 December 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.t-online.de/sport/id_76393676/2-liga-rb-leipzig-erobert-spitze-freiburg-patzt-in-nuernberg.html |title=RB Leipzig stürmt an die Zweitliga-Spitze |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=13 December 2015 |website=t-online.de |location=Darmstadt |publisher=Digital Media Products GmbH |language=de |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> RB Leipzig made only few transfers during the winter break. Defender Tim Sebastian, who had been in the team since 2010 and who had once served as captain, left to join SC Paderborn, and midfielder [[Zsolt Kalmár]] left to join [[FSV Frankfurt]] on loan.<ref>{{cite news |last2=Gabriel |first2=Yvonne |last1=Krause |first1=Stefan |date=13 January 2016 |title=Sebastian geht nach Paderborn |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/tim-sebastian-wechselt-zum-sc-paderborn-44140284.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Krause |first=Stefan |date=30 January 2016 |title=Der LEIHse Abschied |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/der-leihse-abschied-44359798.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref>

RB Leipzig held the leading position in the league until the 27th matchday, when it was again lost to SC Freiburg, after the team suffered a 3–1 defeat away against 1.FC Nürnberg on 20 March 2016. The team now stood at second place in the league, only three points ahead of [[1. FC Nürnberg]] in third place.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 March 2016 |title=Nürnberg dreht Spitzenspiel gegen RB Leipzig |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/nuernberg-schlaegt-rb-leipzig-bochum-gleicht-in-letzter-minute-aus-a-1083299.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> RB Leipzig then recorded two straight wins and expanded the distance to six points.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 April 2016 |title=Leipzig zieht mit Spitzenreiter Freiburg gleich |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga-leipzig-siegt-gegen-duesseldorf-punktgleich-mit-freiburg-a-1086625.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> But with only three matches left of the league season, the distance had shrunk to four points.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportschau.de/fussball/bundesliga2/spielbericht-kaiserslautern-fsv-frankfurt-102.html |title=Orbans Platzverweis kostet Leipzig den Sieg |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 April 2016 |website=sportschau.de |location=Cologne |publisher=Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln |language=de |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> RB Leipzig finally secured a second place in the league and direct promotion to the Bundesliga at the 33rd matchday, after defeating [[Karlsruher SC]] 2–0 in front of 42,559 spectators at the Red Bull Arena on 8 May 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roth |first=Matthias |date=8 May 2016 |title=Aufstieg geschafft: RB Leipzig macht seine Fans glücklich |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Aufstieg-geschafft-RB-Leipzig-macht-seine-Fans-gluecklich |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023062949/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Aufstieg-geschafft-RB-Leipzig-macht-seine-Fans-gluecklich |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="SealPromotion">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2016 |title=RB Leipzig seal promotion to first division |url=http://www.dw.com/en/rb-leipzig-seal-promotion-to-first-division/a-19243190 |language=de |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |location=Bonn |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> The promotion was celebrated together with 20,000 supporters at the Market Square in front of the [[Old Town Hall (Leipzig)|Old Town Hall]] in central Leipzig on 16 May 2016. Leipzig Mayor [[Burkhard Jung]] received the team before the celebration.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=16 May 2016 |title=Aufstiegsfeier Ralf Rangnick: "Heute sind wir alle zusammen Leipzig" |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/aufstiegsfeier-ralf-rangnick---heute-sind-wir-alle-zusammen-leipzig--24068118 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mdr.de/sport/fussball_2bl/rb-leipzig-feiert-aufstieg-100.html |title=RB Leipzig rockt in die Bundesliga |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=17 May 2016 |website=mdr.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=[[Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk]] |language=de |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202032952/http://www.mdr.de/sport/fussball_2bl/rb-leipzig-feiert-aufstieg-100.html |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the end of the season, Ralf Rangnick was to resign as head coach,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='resigned'? or did he announce he would resign? and, then, did he resign? or not resign?}} in order to be able to focus on his job as sporting director. German media had during the season speculated on several potential candidates for new head coach, including [[Markus Gisdol]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/fussball/2-bundesliga/2015/11/ralf-rangnick-hat-markus-gisdol-als-neuen-trainer-bei-rb-leipzig-im-auge |title=Ralf Rangnick hat Markus Gisdol als neuen Trainer bei RB Leipzig im Auge |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=11 November 2015 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> [[Sandro Schwarz]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Yvonne |date=14 December 2015 |title=Mainzer U23-Trainer soll nach Leipzig |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/ralf-rangnick/baggert-an-sandro-schwarz-43786826.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> [[Jocelyn Gourvennec]],<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 April 2016 |title=RB Leipzigs größtes Problem verschärft sich |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article153938009/RB-Leipzigs-groesstes-Problem-verschaerft-sich.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="LeipzigSuchtTrainer">{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=12 April 2016 |title=Hasenhüttl oder doch Favre? RB Leipzig sucht Trainer für 1. und 2. Liga |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/hasenhuettl-oder-doch-favre--rb-leipzig-sucht-trainer-fuer-1--und-2--liga-23874306 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> [[René Weiler]],<ref name="OnFire">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=22 February 2016 |title="On Fire": Leipzig auf dem Weg in die Bundesliga |url=https://www.kicker.de/on-fire_leipzig-auf-dem-weg-in-die-bundesliga-645717/artikel |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia Verlag GmbH |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="LeipzigSuchtTrainer"/> and, notably,{{why|date=January 2024}} [[Markus Weinzierl]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=11 February 2016 |title=Neuer Leipzig-Angriff auf Weinzierl |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/markus-weinzierl/neuer-leipzig-angriff-auf-augsburg-trainer-44517950.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="OnFire"/> On 6 May 2016, [[Ralph Hasenhüttl]] was announced as new head coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/neuigkeiten/Saison_2015_16/Ralph-Hasenhuettl-neuer-Trainer-bei-RBLeipzig.html |title=Ralph Hasenhüttl wird neuer Trainer bei den Roten Bullen! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 May 2016 |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> Ralph Hasenhüttl had been head coach of [[FC Ingolstadt 04]] since October 2013, having brought the team from the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga to the Bundesliga, and also managed to defend the spot{{vague|date=January 2024}} in the top tier during the 2015–16 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/noblsp-new-leipzig-coach-hasenhuettl-the-potential-here-is-huge.jsp |title=New Leipzig coach Hasenhüttl: 'The potential here is huge' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=5 June 2016 |website=bundesliga.com |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH |language=de |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref>

===2016–present: Bundesliga era===
[[File:20191002 Fußball, Männer, UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig - Olympique Lyonnais by Stepro StP 0042-2.jpg|thumb|right|RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League]]
RB Leipzig remained undefeated in the first thirteen league matches of the 2016–17 season, breaking a record for the longest undefeated streak of a promoted team to the Bundesliga.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=18 November 2016 |title=RB Leipzig go top and set record by beating Bayer Leverkusen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/18/bayer-leverkusen-red-bull-leipzig-bundesliga-match-report |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=20 November 2016}}</ref> The team finished the 11th matchday in first place, and became the first team from the [[new states of Germany|area of former East Germany]] to hold the leading position since the [[1991–92 Bundesliga|1991–92 Bundesliga season]], when [[Hansa Rostock]] stood at first place on 31 August 1991 and held the position for three matchdays, relinquishing it after a loss against FC Ingolstadt.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 November 2016 |title=25 Jahre nach Hansa: RB Leipzig ist Bundesliga-Spitze – Bayern angefressen |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/25-Jahre-nach-Hansa-RB-Leipzig-steht-an-der-Bundesliga-Spitze |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=20 November 2016 |archive-date=27 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027130943/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/25-Jahre-nach-Hansa-RB-Leipzig-steht-an-der-Bundesliga-Spitze |url-status=dead}}</ref>

RB Leipzig became the first Bundesliga debutant, since [[German reunification]], to qualify for a European tournament, doing so with a 4–0 win against [[SC Freiburg]] on 15 April 2017.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 April 2017 |title=RB Leipzig hat europäische Spiele sicher |url=http://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/RB-Leipzig-hat-europaeische-Spiele-sicher-article19795217.html |language=de |newspaper=n-tv |location=Cologne |publisher=n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH |access-date=15 April 2017}}</ref> They were also the first team from the former East Germany to qualify for a European tournament since 1. FC Union Berlin qualified for the [[2001–02 UEFA Cup]]. Subsequently, Leipzig qualified for the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League]] after beating [[Hertha BSC]] 4–1 at the [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]] on 6 May 2017, two days before the anniversary of the club's promotion to Bundesliga.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51475532 |title =RB Leipzig: How did Red Bull build a Champions League side from scratch?|date=18 February 2020|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref>

The following season, Leipzig finished in 6th position and also reached the quarterfinals of the [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League]] competition, after being transferred from the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League]] group stage, which was finished in 3rd position.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=the club came third in the UEFA Europa League that year? or came third in the Champions League that year?}} On 16 May 2018, [[Ralph Hasenhüttl]] resigned as head coach, after an extension of his contract was denied.{{by whom|date=January 2024}} Before the next season, Rangnick was announced as new coach for one year, to be followed by [[Julian Nagelsmann]] by the beginning of the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/ralph-hasenhuettl-rb-leipzig-und-trainer-gehen-offenbar-getrennte-wege-a-1208039.html|title=Hasenhüttl nicht mehr Trainer von RB Leipzig|website=Der Spiegel|publisher=SPIEGEL Gruppe|language=de|date=16 May 2018|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article179024938/RB-Leipzig-Nachfolge-geloest-Manager-Ralf-Rangnick-wird-Trainer.html|title=Ralf Rangnick wird Trainer bei RB Leipzig|newspaper=Die Welt|language=de|date=9 July 2018|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Nagelsmann-kehrt-Hoffenheim-den-Ruecken-article20492053.html|title=Nagelsmann kehrt Hoffenheim den Rücken|website=n-tv.de|publisher=Ntv|language=de|date=21 June 2018|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
RB Leipzig finished the [[2018–19 Bundesliga]] season in 3rd position, with a total of 66 points.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} This ensured them qualification in the [[2019–20 UEFA Champions League]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In addition, a win against [[Hamburger SV]] on 23 April 2019, RB Leipzig reached the DFB-Pokal final for the first time, where they faced [[Bayern Munich]] on 25 May.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Bayern Munich thrashed RB Leipzig 3–0. On 1 June 2019, Rangnick announced his resignation as sporting director of RB Leipzig after seven years and moved to the Red Bull company as "Head of Sport and Development Soccer". His successor as sporting director was Markus Krösche.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www1.wdr.de/sport/fussball/erste-bundesliga/sc-paderborn-kroesche-leipzig-100.html|title=Paderborn: Krösche ersetzt Rangnick in Leipzig|website=wdr.de|publisher=WDR|language=de|date=4 June 2019|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
[[File:20180920 Fussball, UEFA Europa League, RB Leipzig - FC Salzburg by Stepro StP 8146.jpg|thumb|left|[[Yussuf Poulsen]] against [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Salzburg]]]]

In the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig won their group ahead of [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]], [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] and [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]]. After beating [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 4–0 on aggregate in the Round of 16,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/10/football/rb-leipzig-tottenham-champions-league-spt-intl/index.html|title=Thrilling RB Leipzig runs riot to dump Jose Mourinho and Tottenham out of the Champions League|publisher=CNN|date=10 March 2020}}</ref> Leipzig then had a 2–1 win against [[Club Atlético de Madrid|Atlético Madrid]] in the quarter-final, with a late goal of American midfielder [[Tyler Adams]], to reach the semi-final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53730258 |title=RB Leipzig 2–1 Atlético Madrid |website=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2020}}</ref> But [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] thrashed RB Leipzig 3–0 in the semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53759778|title=RB Leipzig 0–3 Paris Saint Germain|work=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2020}}</ref>

Under coach [[Domenico Tedesco]], RB Leipzig reached the semi-finals of the [[2021–22 UEFA Europa League]], in which they were eliminated by [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] 3–2 on aggregate,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/domenico-tedesco-left-to-pick-up-the-pieces-following-rb-leipzigs-latest-low/a-61701358 |title=Domenico Tedesco left to pick up the pieces following RB Leipzig's latest low |website=DW |date=5 May 2022}}</ref> and won their first major title in the [[2022 DFB-Pokal Final|DFB-Pokal Final]] 4–2 on penalties against [[SC Freiburg]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/dfbpokal/pokalfinale-nachdreh-sc-freiburg-rb-leipzig-tedesco-100.html |title=Domenico Tedesco, RB Leipzigs Glücksfall |website=sportschau.de |language=de |date=22 May 2022}}</ref> On 30 July 2022, RB Leipzig faced [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in their first [[2022 DFL-Supercup|DFL Supercup]] at the Red Bull Arena where they lost 5–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dfb.de/supercup/das-spiel/?spieledb_path=%2Fmatches%2F2338381 |title=RB Leipzig 3–5 Bayern München |website=dfb.de |language=de |date=30 July 2022}}</ref> On 7 September 2022, Tedesco was sacked following a 4–1 home defeat against [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]] in the opening match of the [[2022–23 UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=RB Leipzig part company with Domenico Tedesco |url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/news/2022-2023/tedesco-departure/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=rbleipzig.com |date=7 September 2022}}</ref> On 3 June 2023, RB Leipzig won their second consecutive [[2022–23 DFB-Pokal|DFB-Pokal]] title after a 2–0 win against [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] in the final. They also won their maiden [[DFL-Supercup]] on August 13, 2023, beating Bayern Munich 3–0, a revenge for the previous year's Supercup loss.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.redbull.com/int-en/rb-leipzig-win-dfb-cup-2023 |title=Title defended! RB Leipzig win the German Cup in 2-0 Berlin final |publisher=Red Bull |date=5 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report/_/gameId/669439|title=Harry Kane's Bayern Munich debut spoiled by Super Cup loss|date=12 August 2023|work=ESPN|accessdate=16 August 2023}}</ref> On 30 March 2025, [[Marco Rose]] was dismissed as head coach after some poor results in the 2024–25 season.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/noch-vor-pokal-halbfinale-leipzig-trennt-sich-von-rose-1101936/artikel | title = Noch vor Pokal-Halbfinale: Leipzig trennt sich von Rose | language = de | website = kicker.de | date = 30 March 2025 | access-date = 26 April 2025}}</ref> By the end of the season, RB Leipzig finished seventh in the league, missing out on European competition for the first time since their promotion to Bundesliga in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/bundesliga/leipzig-schafft-europa-quali-nicht,bundesliga-rbl-vfb-100.html |title=Leipzig schafft Europa-Quali nicht |publisher=Sportschau |language=de |date=17 May 2025 }}</ref>

==Colours and crest==
[[File:2020-03-10 Fußball, Männer, UEFA Champions League Achtelfinale, RB Leipzig - Tottenham Hotspur 1DX 3861 by Stepro.jpg|thumb|2020 season kit featuring club's forward [[Timo Werner]]]]
RB Leipzig play in the traditional red and white colours of Red Bull football teams.<ref name="Teufel"/><ref name="Independent1"/> All crests proposed at the club's founding were rejected by the Saxony Football Association (SFV), as they were considered copies of the corporate logo of Red Bull GmbH. The team therefore played its inaugural season in 2009–10 without a crest.<ref name="nehmenAnlauf"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/oberliga/0908/News/rb-leipzig-geht-ohne-vereinswappen-in-saison.html |title=RB Leipzig geht ohne Vereinswappen in Saison |last=Gruber |first=Haruka |date=4 August 2009 |website=spox.com |publisher=Perform Media Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=1 April 2016}}</ref> RB Leipzig later proposed a new crest, which was eventually accepted by the SFV in May 2010.<ref name="GegendenGeist">{{cite news |last=Biermann |first=Chrisoph |date=6 April 2012 |title=RB Leipzig: Gegen den Geist der 50+1-Regel |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/red-bull-leipzig-gegen-den-geist-der-50-1-regel-a-824548.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=1 April 2016}}</ref> The crest was slightly different from the crests used by other Red Bull football teams. The two bulls had been altered in shape and a few strokes added.<ref name="ImSogdesKapitals"/> The crest was used from the 2010–11 Regionalliga season until the end of the 2013–14 3. Liga season. The German Football League (DFL) rejected it however, during the license procedure for the 2014–15 2. Bundesliga season.<ref name="Kicker"/> As part of a compromise with the DFL, the club agreed to redesign its crest and introduced the current{{when|date=January 2024}} crest.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The current{{when|date=January 2024}} crest is significantly different from the crests used by other Red Bull football teams, although it is identical to the modified crest used by [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]] for international matches and due to [[UEFA]] regulations. The yellow sun has been changed in favor of a football and the initials of "RasenBallsport" have been relocated to the bottom of the crest and are no longer highlighted in red.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=26 May 2014 |title=Das neue Wappen erinnert an ein Fehler-Suchbild |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article128434259/Das-neue-Wappen-erinnert-an-ein-Fehler-Suchbild.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=1 April 2014}}</ref>

===Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors===
{{Commons|RB Leipzig kits}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! style="color:#fff; background:#e01837;"|Period  
! style="color:#e01837; background:#ffffff;"|Supplier     
! style="color:#fff; background:#e01837;"|Shirt Sponsor  
! style="color:#e01837; background:#ffffff;"|Sleeve sponsor   
|-
| 2009–2014
| [[Adidas]] 
| rowspan="7" | [[Red Bull]]
|rowspan=2| ''None''
|-
| 2014–2017
|rowspan=5| [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] 
|-
| 2017–2021
| CG Immobilien
|-
| 2021–2022
| CG Immobilien / [[Veganz]]<br />(in cup and UEFA matches)
|-
| 2022–2023
| AOC Die Stadtentwickler<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neue Partnerschaft: RB Leipzig und AOC |url=https://rbleipzig.com/de/news/2022-2023/partnerschaft-aoc/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=rbleipzig.com |date=29 July 2022 |language=de |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731205339/https://rbleipzig.com/de/news/2022-2023/partnerschaft-aoc/ |url-status=live}}</ref> / [[Veganz]]<br />(in cup and UEFA matches)
|-
| 2023–2024
| rowspan=2| AOC Die Stadtentwickler / [[IHG Hotels & Resorts]]<br />(in cup and UEFA matches)
|-
| 2024–present
| [[Puma (brand)|Puma]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-27 |title=PUMA and RB Leipzig enter into long-term partnership |url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/news/2023-2024/partnership-rb-leipzig-puma-kit-supplier/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=rbleipzig.com}}</ref>
|}

==Stadium==
{{main|Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)}}
[[File:Leipzig stadium.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)|Red Bull Arena]]]]
RB Leipzig played its inaugural season in 2009–10 at the Stadion am Bad in Markranstädt. The stadium held 5,000 seats and was the traditional home ground of SSV Markranstädt. But the plans{{vague|date=January 2024}} were that the first team would quickly move to the far larger Zentralstadion,<ref name="PlantLigaEinstieg"/> hopefully in 2010, after an advance to the Regionalliga.<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg"/><ref name="RiesigeChance"/> Red Bull GmbH reserved the naming right to the stadium at the club's founding, meaning that the name could not be sold to anyone else.<ref name="MischtdieBundesliga"/><ref name="RiesigeChance"/><ref name="AufEroberungsfeldzug"/><ref name="BlühendenFußballLandschaft"/> The company negotiated the acquisition of the naming right during the successful 2009–10 season and the proposed new name was approved by the City of Leipzig on 25 March 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kraske |first=Michael |date=11 March 2010 |title=Blechdosen-Arena |url=http://www.zeit.de/2010/11/S-Leipzig-Zentralstadion |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 March 2010 |title=Stadtrat sagt Ja zur Red-Bull-Arena |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/Stadtrat-sagt-Ja-zur-Red-Bull-Arena |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=21 March 2010 |archive-date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605114041/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/Stadtrat-sagt-Ja-zur-Red-Bull-Arena |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://leipzig-seiten.de/index.php/sport/21-deutschland/leipzig/10134-zentralstadion-leipzig-wird-zur-red-bull-arena |title=Zentralstadion Leipzig wird zur Red-Bull-Arena |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 March 2010 |website=leipzig-seiten.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=LE-news-NET UG |language=de |access-date=21 March 2016 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616185641/http://leipzig-seiten.de/index.php/sport/21-deutschland/leipzig/10134-zentralstadion-leipzig-wird-zur-red-bull-arena |url-status=dead}}</ref> Red Bull GmbH then acquired the naming right and the Zentralstadion was renamed "Red Bull Arena" on 1 July 2010. The contract runs until 2040.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 June 2010 |title=Leipziger Zentralstadion heißt jetzt "Red Bull Arena" |url=http://diepresse.com/home/sport/fussball/577632/Leipziger-Zentralstadion-heisst-jetzt-Red-Bull-Arena |language=de |newspaper=[[Die Presse]] |location=Wien |publisher=Die Presse Verlags-Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG |access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Krause |first=Stefan |date=1 July 2010 |title=Zentralstadion heißt bis 2040 Red Bull-Arena |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/wie-oft-wird-rb-hier-deutscher-meister-13141730.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref> The inauguration was held on 24 July 2010, in a friendly match against Schalke 04, in front of 21,566 spectators.<ref name="ArenaEröffnung"/>

Red Bull Arena had a capacity of 44,345 seats during the 2014–15 season. In March 2015, RB Leipzig announced that it was going to invest 5 million euros in a redevelopment of the stadium,<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfter |first=Guido |date=18 March 2015 |title=Schöner wohnen: RB Leipzig investiert fünf Millionen Euro ins Stadion |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Schoener-wohnen-RB-Leipzig-investiert-fuenf-Millionen-Euro-ins-Stadion2 |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605111439/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Schoener-wohnen-RB-Leipzig-investiert-fuenf-Millionen-Euro-ins-Stadion2 |url-status=dead}}</ref> including an expansion of the VIP area, pressbox and wheelchair spaces. It also included two new larger [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] score boards and refurbished player facilities. The VIP area was expanded from 700 seats to approximately 1400 seats. The capacity of Red Bull Arena was reduced to 42,959 seats before the 2015–16 season, due to redevelopment of various stadium areas.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=8 June 2015 |title=Parkhaus am Sportforum kommt, wenn privater Investor Ja sagt |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Parkhaus-am-Sportforum-kommt-wenn-privater-Investor-Ja-sagt |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324215858/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Parkhaus-am-Sportforum-kommt-wenn-privater-Investor-Ja-sagt |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Yvonne |date=August 2015 |title=BILD in der neuen Bullen-Kabine |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/bild-in-der-neuen-bullen-kabine-42037240.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nößler |first=Robert |date=21 August 2015 |title=Red-Bull-Arena wird kleiner&nbsp;– Rangnick macht RB-Spieler zu Innenausstattern |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Red-Bull-Arena-wird-kleiner-Rangnick-macht-RB-Spieler-zu-Innenausstattern |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824142423/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Red-Bull-Arena-wird-kleiner-Rangnick-macht-RB-Spieler-zu-Innenausstattern |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Krause |first=Stefan |date=9 September 2015 |title=Bullen machen sich schick für die Bundesliga |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/stadion-umbau-fuenf-mio-42501106.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

The Red Bull Arena was an all-seater stadium for a long time.{{vague|date=January 2024}} Home supporters are located in sector B. During the general meeting of the supporters' union in 2014, the assembly made a demand to convert sector B into a standing area.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} However, it was considered impossible{{by whom|date=January 2024}} to convert sector B into a standing area at the time, for structural reasons.<ref name="KeineStehplätze">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=19 November 2014 |title=Keine Stehplätze für RB Leipzig Anhänger |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Keine-Stehplaetze-fuer-RB-Leipzig-Anhaenger&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=8282 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Sector B was eventually converted into a standing area in the 2021–22 season.

===Attendances===
The 29 July 2011 first round 3–2 victory over [[VfL Wolfsburg]] was the club's first appearance in the [[2011–12 DFB-Pokal]]; the 31,212 spectators gathered marked a club attendance record for the Red Bull Arena.<ref name="LeipzigschmeißtWolfsburg"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 July 2011 |title=Daniel Frahn blamiert Wolfsburg bis auf die Knochen |url=http://www.abendblatt.de/sport/fussball/article108066728/Daniel-Frahn-blamiert-Wolfsburg-bis-auf-die-Knochen.html |newspaper=[[Hamburger Abendblatt]] |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeitungsgruppe Hamburg GmbH |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> The record did not stand long though; on 25 October 2011 Leipzig were defeated 1–0 by [[FC Augsburg]], this second-round game of the DFB-Pokal set a new record attendance of 34,341 spectators.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 October 2011 |title=DFB-Pokal Sensationen bleiben aus |url=http://www.express.de/sport/dfb-pokal-sensationen-bleiben-aus-4104052 |language=de |newspaper=[[Express (Cologne newspaper)|Express]] |location=Cologne |publisher=DuMont Rheinland Media24 GmbH |access-date=22 March 2016}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The last home game of the [[2013–14 3. Liga|2013–14 3. Liga season]] on 3 May 2014 was a chance for RB Leipzig to secure direct promotion to the [[2. Bundesliga]]; Leipzig romped home emphatically winning 5–1 against [[1. FC Saarbrücken]] in a near-sell out capacity Red Bull Arena, in front of a record 42,713 spectators.<ref name="Durchmarschin2.Fußball"/><ref name="Saarbrücken"/> The 43,348 spectators who watched the third round of the [[2014–15 DFB-Pokal]] against VfL Wolfsburg on 4 March 2015, sold out the Red Bull Arena for the first time, setting the current club record for a match at the Red Bull Arena as of 2016.<ref name="17Malausverkauft"/><ref name="Verein">{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/verein.html |title=Verein |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=31 January 2016}}</ref>

RB Leipzig holds two attendance records. The 2011 [[Saxony Cup]] final against [[Chemnitzer FC]] on 1 June 2011 at the Red Bull Arena was attended by 13,958 spectators. The attendance set a new record for a Saxony Cup final.<ref name="SächsischeZeitung"/><ref name="PackendesFinale"/> The record was broken two years later, again in a final between RB Leipzig and Chemnizer FC. The 2013 Saxony Cup final against Chemnitzer FC on 15 May 2013 at the Red Bull Arena was attended by 16,864 spectators.<ref name="PackendesFinale"/> The second attendance record held by RB Leipzig was set during the 2012–13 season, in the qualification for the 3. Liga. The qualifying match against [[Sportfreunde Lotte]] on 29 May 2013 at the Red Bull Arena was attended by 30,104 spectators. The attendance set a new record for a match in the fourth tier of the [[German football league system]].<ref name="RekordKulisse"/>

RB Leipzig played its hundredth match at the Red Bull Arena on 4 October 2015, against [[1. FC Nürnberg]]. At that point, the club reported a total attendance of 1,464,215 spectators, or an average of 14,643 spectators, for matches at the Red Bull Arena.<ref name="Verein"/>

Their first Bundesliga home match was played on 10 September 2016 versus [[Borussia Dortmund]] in front of 42,558 spectators.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In their debut season, the team averaged 41,454 spectators, or 97% of the stadium's capacity.

===Average home league attendances===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
|-
! Season !! Average attendance !! Source
|-
| 2009–10|| style="text-align:center;" |2,150 ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm |title=Archive Germany – 2009–2010 |date=n.d. |website=european-football-statistics.co.uk |publisher=Thomas Efs |access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 2010–11|| style="text-align:center;" |4,206 ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/regionalliga-nord-2010-2011/1/ |title=Germany " Regionalliga Nord 2010/2011 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
| 2011–12|| style="text-align:center;" |7,401|| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/regionalliga-nord-2011-2012/1/ |title=Germany " Regionalliga Nord 2011/2012 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
| 2012–13|| style="text-align:center;" |7,563|| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/regionalliga-nordost-2012-2013/1/ |title=Germany " Regionalliga Nordost 2012/2013 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
| 2013–14 || style="text-align:center;" |16,734|| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/3-liga-2013-2014/1/ |title=Germany " 3. Liga 2013/2014 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
| 2014–15 || style="text-align:center;" |25,025|| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/2-bundesliga-2014-2015/1/ |title=Germany " 2. Bundesliga 2014/2015 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[2015–16 2. Bundesliga|2015–16]]|| style="text-align:center;" |29,441|| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/2-bundesliga-2015-2016/1/ |title=Germany " 2. Bundesliga 2015/16 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
|[[2016–17 Bundesliga|2016–17]]|| style="text-align:center;" |41,454|| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2016-2017/1/ |title=Germany " Bundesliga 2016/2017 " Attendance " Home matches |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=26 May 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2017–18 Bundesliga|2017–18]]
| style="text-align:center;" |39,397
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2017-2018/1/|title=Bundesliga 2017/2018 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref>
|-
|[[2018–19 Bundesliga|2018–19]]
| style="text-align:center;" |38,380
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weltfussball.de/zuschauer/bundesliga-2018-2019/1/|title=Bundesliga 2018/2019 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=18 May 2019}}</ref>
|-
|[[2019–20 Bundesliga|2019–20]]
| style="text-align:center;" |28,819
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2019-2020/1/|title=Bundesliga 2019/2020 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=11 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[2020–21 Bundesliga|2020–21]]
| style="text-align:center;" |1,059
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2020-2021/1/|title=Bundesliga 2020/2021 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref><ref>The majority of the matches were played behind closed doors.</ref>
|-
|[[2021–22 Bundesliga|2021–22]]
| style="text-align:center;" |22,124
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2021-2022/1/|title=Bundesliga 2021/2022 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref><ref>The majority of the matches in the first half of the season were played behind closed doors.</ref>
|-
|[[2022–23 Bundesliga|2022–23]]
| style="text-align:center;" |45,559
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2022-2023/1/|title=Bundesliga 2022/2023 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[2023–24 Bundesliga|2023–24]]
| style="text-align:center;" |45,175
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2023-2024/1/|title=Bundesliga 2023/2024 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[2024–25 Bundesliga|2024–25]]
| style="text-align:center;" |45,045
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/bundesliga-2024-2025/1/|title=Bundesliga 2024/2025 – Attendance|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref>
|}

===Expansion===
In October 2014, German media reported that the club wanted to expand the Red Bull Arena to 55,000 seats for future first division Bundesliga play. An expansion to 55,000 seats would make the stadium one of the ten largest football venues in Germany. Who was to finance such an expansion remained unclear. German media considered that a possible option was that Red Bull GmbH buy the stadium to make the investments itself, but it was also considered unlikely{{by whom|date=January 2024}} that the current owner would be prepared to sell the stadium, which had just turned profitable.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=22 October 2014 |title=Bei Aufstieg von RB Leipzig: Red-Bull-Arena wird auf über 55.000 Zuschauer ausgebaut |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Bei-Aufstieg-von-RB-Leipzig-Red-Bull-Arena-wird-auf-ueber-55.000-Zuschauer-ausgebaut |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-date=18 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218235429/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Bei-Aufstieg-von-RB-Leipzig-Red-Bull-Arena-wird-auf-ueber-55.000-Zuschauer-ausgebaut |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=28 October 2014 |title=Für die Bundesliga: RB Leipzig plant schon ein größeres Stadion |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article133736134/RB-Leipzig-plant-schon-ein-groesseres-Stadion.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref>

The club had previously reserved an area near the [[Bundesautobahn 14|A14 motorway]] north of Leipzig, close to the [[Leipzig/Halle Airport]], which could be used to build a completely new stadium. It could also be used to put pressure on the current owner of the Red Bull Arena to agree to an expansion.{{vague|date=January 2024}} In March 2015, German media reported the club considered building a new stadium on the area north of Leipzig. It could be modeled after the [[Veltins-Arena]] in [[Gelsenkirchen]] or the [[Esprit Arena]] in [[Düsseldorf]], with a significantly larger capacity than Red Bull arena, possibly up to 80,000 seats.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 October 2014 |title=Bundesliga-Visionen: RB Leipzig plant ein größeres Stadion |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga-visionen-rb-leipzig-plant-groesseres-stadion-13234217.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=rankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 March 2015 |title=Leipzig plant größeres Stadion |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/neues-stadion-geplant-40053998.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Kölmel:Ausbau möglich">{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=5 August 2015 |title=Kölmel: Stadionvertrag mit RB Leipzig läuft bis 2020&nbsp;– Ausbau möglich |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Koelmel-Stadionvertrag-mit-RB-Leipzig-laeuft-bis-2020-Ausbau-moeglich |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012921/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Koelmel-Stadionvertrag-mit-RB-Leipzig-laeuft-bis-2020-Ausbau-moeglich |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LeipzigsKassen">{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=6 August 2015 |title=RB Leipzig spült Millionen in Leipzigs Kassen |url=http://www.mz-web.de/rb-leipzig/wirtschaftsfaktor-red-bull-rb-leipzig-spuelt-millionen-in-leipzigs-kassen-,27404014,31403334.html |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref>

The current{{when|date=January 2024}} owner of Red Bull Arena, Michael Kölmel, commented on plans to build a new stadium in an interview in August 2015. He pointed out how a new stadium on the outskirts of Leipzig could be detrimental to fan culture, and said that Red Bull Arena could be expanded to 55,000 seats, or even more.<ref name="Kölmel:Ausbau möglich"/>

In October 2015, expansion of the Red Bull Arena was back on the agenda. New plans were made to expand the stadium to 57,000 seats, involving Viennese architect Albert Wimmer. Reconstruction could start over the summer break of 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=8 October 2015 |title=Wiener Architekt legt Hand an: Red-Bull-Arena soll auf 57.000 Plätze erweitert werden |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Wiener-Architekt-legt-Hand-an-Red-Bull-Arena-soll-auf-57.000-Plaetze-erweitert-werden |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012934/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Wiener-Architekt-legt-Hand-an-Red-Bull-Arena-soll-auf-57.000-Plaetze-erweitert-werden |url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2016, the club decided to put the plans on hold, at least until 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=14 January 2016 |title=RB Leipzig: Stadionausbau liegt auf Eis&nbsp;– Sebastian wechselt nach Paderborn |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-Stadionausbau-liegt-auf-Eis-Sebastian-wechselt-nach-Paderborn |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063032/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-Stadionausbau-liegt-auf-Eis-Sebastian-wechselt-nach-Paderborn |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2016, German newspaper ''[[Leipziger Volkszeitung]]'' reported that club management again considered the possibility of building a new stadium with a capacity of 80,000 seats north of Leipzig. However, a prerequisite for such a project would be that ticket demand exceed the supply of seats in the Red Bull Arena significantly and sustainably. A move to a new stadium could be possible in 2020,{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} when the club's current{{when|date=January 2024|reason=a current contract that expired in 2020?}} contract to lease the Red Bull Arena expires.{{clarify|date=January 2024|reason=did the contract expire? was the move to a new stadium possible?}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=2 February 2016 |title=Stadion-Neubau steht offenbar doch wieder auf der Agenda von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Stadion-Neubau-steht-offenbar-doch-wieder-auf-der-Agenda-von-RB-Leipzig |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=2 February 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012913/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Stadion-Neubau-steht-offenbar-doch-wieder-auf-der-Agenda-von-RB-Leipzig |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In December 2016, RB Leipzig offered that the stadium would be sold by former owner Michael Kölmel to the club to continue the plans from the 2015 agenda. Due to the transfer of the arena into ownership of Red Bull, a new stadium would not be pursued. It was planned, that the stadium would expand to a total of 53,840 seats as of summer 2021, beginning from November 2018, when construction works started. However, the plans were changed during construction and the expansion work was completed in 2021 with a total capacity of 47,069 spectators,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=47,069 spectators watched the expansion work being completed?}} of which 37,069 can be seated, at national competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lvz.de/Sportbuzzer/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-kauft-Red-Bull-Arena-und-will-Stadion-auf-57.000-Plaetze-ausbauen|title=RB Leipzig kauft sich für 70 Millionen Euro die Red-Bull-Arena|website=LVZ – Leipziger Volkszeitung|date=22 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/rb-leipzig-enthullt-plane-fur-ausbau-der-red-bull-arena/|title=SPORTBUZZER enthüllt Pläne für Ausbau der Red-Bull-Arena|website=Sportbuzzer.de|access-date=25 July 2019|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724204939/https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/rb-leipzig-enthullt-plane-fur-ausbau-der-red-bull-arena/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Training centre===
In 2010, Red Bull announced its intention to engage long term in Leipzig. In this context the club sought a location for a training centre and a [[Youth system|youth academy]]. Towards the end of the year, the club made concrete plans{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=were the plans really made of concrete?}} to invest 30 million euros in a training centre comprising six pitches, offices and a youth academy. The training center was to be located at Cottaweg, partly on the area of the naturally protected [[riparian forest]] Leipziger Auwald and the site of the traditional fair Leipziger Kleinmesse. The plans met objections and concerns from environmental organizations and from the current{{when|date=January 2024|reason=2010? current?}} users of the area, a Leipzig fairground association and the football club BSV Schönau 1983.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Puppe |first1=Matthias |last2=Schäfer |first2=Guido |date=7 September 2010 |title=Planungen für RB-Trainingszentrum: Hürden am Standort Cottaweg |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Planungen-fuer-RB-Trainingszentrum-Huerden-am-Standort-Cottaweg |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115011711/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Planungen-fuer-RB-Trainingszentrum-Huerden-am-Standort-Cottaweg |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/steuert-leipzig-auf-den-naechsten-sportpolitischen-skandal.1346.de.html?dram:article_id=196065 |title=Steuert Leipzig auf den nächsten sportpolitischen Skandal zu? |last=Hartmann |first=Grit |date=20 November 2010 |website=deutschlandfunk.de |location=Cologne |publisher=Deutschlandradio |language=de |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> After negotiations, the City of Leipzig agreed to the plans on 15 December 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=ter Vehn |first=Evelyn |date=15 December 2010 |title=Leipzigs Stadtrat stimmt RB-Trainingszentrum am Cottaweg mit großer Mehrheit zu |url=http://www.lvz.de/Leipzig/Lokales/Leipzigs-Stadtrat-stimmt-RB-Trainingszentrum-am-Cottaweg-mit-grosser-Mehrheit-zu |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717105757/https://www.lvz.de/Leipzig/Lokales/Leipzigs-Stadtrat-stimmt-RB-Trainingszentrum-am-Cottaweg-mit-grosser-Mehrheit-zu |url-status=dead}}</ref> RB Leipzig and the city of Leipzig later announced that the club was going to invest in an area of 92,000 square meters.<ref name="Cottaweg2011">{{cite news |last=Puppe |first=Matthias |date=7 January 2011 |title=RB Leipzig startet am Cottaweg in das Unternehmen Fußball-Bundesliga |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/RB-Leipzig-startet-am-Cottaweg-in-das-Unternehmen-Fussball-Bundesliga |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015923/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/RB-Leipzig-startet-am-Cottaweg-in-das-Unternehmen-Fussball-Bundesliga |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The construction was to be carried out in two phases and began in March 2011.<ref name="Verein"/> During the first phase, three natural turf pitches, one artificial turf pitch and an artificial hill for physical exercises were built.<ref>{{cite news |last=Puppe |first=Matthias |date=5 October 2011 |title=Zweiter Bauabschnitt beim Trainingszentrum von RB Leipzig&nbsp;– Knackpunkt Umweltverträglichkeit |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Zweiter-Bauabschnitt-beim-Trainingszentrum-von-RB-Leipzig-Knackpunkt-Umweltvertraeglichkeit |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012909/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Zweiter-Bauabschnitt-beim-Trainingszentrum-von-RB-Leipzig-Knackpunkt-Umweltvertraeglichkeit |url-status=dead}}</ref> All four pitches were installed with floodlights, irrigation system and soil heating. Pitch one was also provided with four 38-meter masts producing HD-compatible lightning for optimal television broadcasts. Locker rooms, sanitary facilities and weight rooms were installed in 60 containers, totaling 720 square meters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=KRAUSE |first1=Stefan |last2=Gabriel |first2=Yvonne |date=12 August 2011 |title=BILD.de erklärt die neue Bullenwiese |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/bild-erklaert-die-neue-bullenwiese-19351548.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> The first section of the training center was opened in August 2011.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 August 2011 |title=RB Leipzig eröffnet Trainingszentrum am Cottaweg mit Autogrammstunde |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/RB-Leipzig-eroeffnet-Trainingszentrum-am-Cottaweg-mit-Autogrammstunde |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115011403/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/RB-Leipzig-eroeffnet-Trainingszentrum-am-Cottaweg-mit-Autogrammstunde |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Trainingszentrum RB Leipzig.jpg|thumb|right|The RB Leipzig training center at Cottaweg]]

The second phase of construction began in January 2014.<ref name="Verein"/> The plans for the second phase were set to create one of Germany's largest training centers for an estimated cost of 35 million euros.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='one of Germany's largest training centers for an estimated cost of 35 million euros'? a training center for a cost? or did the 'plans for the second phase' cost this?}}<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 December 2015 |title=Bullen dürfen am Cottaweg bauen |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/rb-leipzig-darf-trainingszentrum-bauen-33651960.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> Involved in the project was the [[Dortmund]] based architect Christoph Helbich, who had previously been involved in the building of a new training center for [[Borussia Dortmund]]. For the second phase, the training center was to be expanded with two pitches, an area for goalkeeping practices and a three-story 13,500 square meters sports complex, meant to offer amenities for all RB Leipzig teams, from the U8 team to the professional team. In addition, pitch one was to be provided with a covered grandstand with at least 1,000 seats, for A- and B-junior matches.<ref name="Cottaweg2011"/><ref name="Cottaweg2013">{{cite news |last=Roth |first=Mathias |date=3 May 2013 |title=Gehobene Ausstattung: RB Leipzig baut bis 2015 neues Trainigszentrum am Cottaweg |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Gehobene-Ausstattung-RB-Leipzig-baut-bis-2015-neues-Trainigszentrum-am-Cottaweg |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015827/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Gehobene-Ausstattung-RB-Leipzig-baut-bis-2015-neues-Trainigszentrum-am-Cottaweg |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="SHA">{{cite web |url=http://www.sha.de/projekte/sportstaetten/trainingszentrum-rb-leipzig.html |title=Trainingszentrum RB Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=sha.de |location=Dortmund |publisher=SHA Scheffler Helbich Architekten GmbH |language=de |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809032742/http://www.sha.de/projekte/sportstaetten/trainingszentrum-rb-leipzig.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leipzig.de/news/news/leipzig-baut-modernes-trainingszentrum-am-cottaweg/ |title=Leipzig baut modernes Trainingszentrum am Cottaweg |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 January 2015 |website=leipzig.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=Stadt Leipzig |language=de |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="RasenballerbeziehenTrainingszentrum">{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Matthias |last2=Schäfer |first2=Guido |date=19 August 2015 |title=Rasenballer beziehen Trainingszentrum am Cottaweg |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Rasenballer-beziehen-Trainingszentrum-am-Cottaweg |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012929/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Rasenballer-beziehen-Trainingszentrum-am-Cottaweg |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The new sports complex was opened in September 2015 and taken in use by the professional team and six junior teams, from U14 to the reserve team.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='taken in use by'?}}<ref name="Verein"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.medicke.de/neubau-red-bull-akademie-in-leipzig-eroeffnet/ |title=Neubau Red Bull-Akademie in Leipzig eröffnet |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 December 2015 |website=medicke.de |location=Glauchau |publisher=Medicke Metallbau GmbH |language=de |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716005653/https://www.medicke.de/neubau-red-bull-akademie-in-leipzig-eroeffnet/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> It contains an 800 square meters indoor hall, an indoor [[tartan track]] for sprint exercises, weight rooms, cold chambers, a spa area, medical facilities and individual relaxation rooms for each professional player. It also houses a media center, new offices, a [[boarding school]] for 50 youth players and a café for parents and fans.<ref name="Cottaweg2013"/><ref name="SHA"/><ref name="RasenballerbeziehenTrainingszentrum"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Schober |first=Frank |date=13 October 2015 |title=13.500 Quadratmeter mit allem: Blick ins RB-Heiligtum am Cottaweg |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/13.500-Quadratmeter-mit-allem-Blick-ins-RB-Heiligtum-am-Cottaweg |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012926/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/13.500-Quadratmeter-mit-allem-Blick-ins-RB-Heiligtum-am-Cottaweg |url-status=dead}}</ref> The RB Leipzig training center with its sports complex is considered{{by whom|date=January 2024}} one of the most unique and modern in Germany.<ref name="SHA"/>

Constructed in the spring of 2016 was a covered grandstand with 1,000 seats, an area for motor skills-training and a parking area.<ref name="Verein"/> The artificial hill for physical exercises, humorously called the "[[Felix Magath]] Memorial Hill",{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='humorously'? why? he is alive (at this time). he appears to have no connection to the club? born in Bavaria? played most of his career in Hamburg? does not look like he managed any team near Leipzig?}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Wiederstein |first=Wolfgang |date=8 November 2014 |title=Leipzig&nbsp;– finanziell wie von einem anderen Stern |url=http://diepresse.com/home/sport/fussball/international/4590193/Leipzig-finanziell-wie-von-einem-anderen-SternLeipzig-finanziell |language=de |newspaper=[[Die Presse]] |location=Wien |publisher=Die Presse Verlags-Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG |access-date=31 January 2016}}</ref> was also reconstructed.<ref name="Verein"/>

The club has already{{when|date=January 2024}} plans for even further expansions of the training centre. The club wants to build an additional pitch to the south of the training centre. Such expansion would require more ground from the Leipziger Kleinmesse, and is therefore met{{when|date=January 2024}} with several objections.{{by whom|date=January 2024}}{{vague|date=January 2024}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Grimm |first=Anne |date=17 April 2015 |title=Erweiterung des RB-Trainingsgeländes&nbsp;– Linke: "Leipzig ist kein Selbstbedienungsladen" |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Erweiterung-des-RB-Trainingsgelaendes-Linke-Leipzig-ist-kein-Selbstbedienungsladen |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012840/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Erweiterung-des-RB-Trainingsgelaendes-Linke-Leipzig-ist-kein-Selbstbedienungsladen |url-status=dead}}</ref> More certain{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} is a future expansion to the north of the training center.<ref name="Kleinmessegelände">{{cite news |last1=Trümper |first1=Erik |last2=Krause |first2=Stefan |date=11 April 2015 |title=RB greift nach dem nächsten Grundstück! |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/greift-nach-naechstem-grundstueck-40495724.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> This area is used by the football club BSV Schönau 1983 and the tennis club TC Grün-Weiß Leipzig. BSV Schönau 1983 has a contract to lease the area until 2026. The club ceded parts of its grounds to RB Leipzig in 2011. For this, the club received compensation. In total, RB Leipzig spent 900,000 euros for the construction of new grounds for BSC Schönau 1983. The area currently{{when|date=January 2024}} leased by BSV Schönau 1983 is already pledged to RB Leipzig when the lease contract ends in 2026.<ref name="Kleinmessegelände"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=8 August 2015 |title=Goldener Bulle für Leipzig |url=http://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/980473.goldener-bulle-fuer-leipzig.html |language=de |newspaper=Neues Deutschland |location=Berlin |publisher=Neues Deutschland Druckerei und Verlag GmbH |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref>

==Supporters==
===Fanclubs and minor ultras===
[[File:FC Salzburg gegen RasenBallsport Leipzig (Euroleague Gruppenphase Fünfte Runde) 09.jpg|thumb|right|RB Leipzig supporters]]
RB Leipzig has 68 official fanclubs as of August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Offizielle Fanclubs (OFC) von RB Leipzig {{!}} Ein Überblick |url=https://rbleipzig.com/fans/fanclubs/unsere-fanclubs/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=rbleipzig.com |language=de}}</ref> The first two to become registered as official fanclubs were ''L.E Bulls'' and ''Bulls Club'', both registered in 2009. L.E Bulls is the oldest official fanclub,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dierotenbullen.com/de/fans/fanclubs.html |title=Fanclubs |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenBallsport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=13 May 2018}}</ref> but Bulls Club claims to be the biggest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bulls-club.de/fanclub/rb-leipzig-fanclub-bulls-club |title=Willkommen im Bulls Club e.V.! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=bulls-club.de |language=de |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222195422/http://www.bulls-club.de/fanclub/rb-leipzig-fanclub-bulls-club/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> There are also several non-official fanclubs, such as ''Rasenballisten'' and ''Fraktion Red Pride''.RB Leipzig also has a minor [[ultras]] scene, with groups such as ''Red Aces'' and ''Lecrats''.<ref name="UltrasbeiRBLeipzig">{{cite news |last=Schöler |first=Martin |date=20 November 2012 |title=Ultras bei RB Leipzig: "Nicht in ein Korsett zwängen lassen" |url=http://www.l-iz.de/sport/fussball/2012/11/Ultras-bei-RB-Leipzig-Red-Aces-Rasenballisten-63232 |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Internet Zeitung |location=Leipzig |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Fritz |date=16 April 2015 |title=Die Red-Bull-Kritiker aus der Red-Bull-Arena |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2015-04/rb-leipzig-red-bull-ultras |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> The German newspaper ''[[Mitteldeutsche Zeitung]]'' reported that RB Leipzig had 5,000 organized supporters by March 2016.<ref name="Emanzipieren">{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=10 March 2016 |title=Fanstand im Stadion So emanzipieren sich kritische Fans von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/fanstand-im-stadion-so-emanzipieren-sich-kritische-fans-von-rb-leipzig-23701090 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

Fan clubs and supporter groups are organized{{by whom|date=January 2024}} into a union called ''Fanverband RB Leipzig Fans'', which was founded in 2013.{{by whom|date=January 2024}}{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} This is an umbrella organization for official fan clubs, unofficial fan clubs and other groups. As of 2016, 25 supporter groups were organized in that union.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Each group in the union is represented by two representatives.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The representatives of the supporter groups meet every 4 to 6 weeks.{{where|date=January 2024}} The union also holds a general meeting once per year.{{where|date=January 2024}} Those who are not members of a supporter group are allowed to attend the general meeting.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The union is represented by five to seven "fan representatives", elected every second year.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} A maximum of five "fan representatives" are elected by the representatives of the supporter groups, two additional "fan representatives" are elected by the general assembly.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The "fan representatives" are permitted to speak with club officials to communicate ideas and criticism from the supporter base. In order to divide the work of the "fan representatives", the union has created several working groups.<ref name="KeineStehplätze"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fanverband-rbl.de/fanverband/ |title=Fanverband |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=fanverband-rbl.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=Fanverband Leipzig |language=de |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fanverband-rbl.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/satzung-fanverband.pdf |title=Satzung des Fanverbandes von RasenBallsport Leipzig e.V. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=28 April 2014 |website=fanverband-rbl.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=Fanverband Leipzig |language=de |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=5 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405175431/http://fanverband-rbl.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/satzung-fanverband.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first general meeting was held in November 2014, and gathered 350 supporters. ''Present were also club officials'', such as general manager Ulrich Wolter.<ref name="KeineStehplätze"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Gaengler |first=Rene |date=19 November 2014 |title=Vorstoß von RB-Fans für Stehplätze abgelehnt |url=http://fanzeit.de/historische-fanversammlung/14282 |language=de |newspaper=Fanzeit |location=Bochum |publisher=Fanzeit GmbH |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023115643/https://fanzeit.de/historische-fanversammlung/14282 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:2022-07-21 Fußball, Männer,Freundschaftsspiel, RB Leipzig - FC Liverpool 1DX 2029 by Stepro.jpg|thumb|right|Bulli, the club [[mascot]]]]
Several German newspapers have noted the emergence of distinctly nonconformist supporter groups at the Red Bull Arena. In January 2012, ''[[Leipziger Internet Zeitung]]'' reported on the appearance of ultra group Red Aces. The group members were said to see themselves as "Rasenballisten" and determined not to leave the supporter base solely to Red Bull GmbH.<ref name="UltrasbeiRBLeipzig"/> In May 2014, ''[[Der Tagesspiegel]]'' reported on supporter group IG Rasenballisten. The group was said to highly value the name "RasenBallsport" and to be committed to give the club an identity beyond that offered by Red Bull GmbH. In the forefront, the group put the city of Leipzig.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bardow |first=Dominik |date=15 May 2014 |title=Seele gesucht |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/rb-leipzig-seele-gesucht/9893978.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |publisher=Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> In April 2015, ''[[Die Zeit]]'' reported further on this subject, particularly supporter groups IG Rasenballisten and Lecrats. Their central idea was described as "Rasenballismus", stressing the Leipzig identity and the importance of impassioned fans. Lecrats was described as geared towards the anti-commercial values of the ultra culture and as critics of Red Bull GmbH. IG Rasenballisten and the ultra groups were said{{by whom|date=January 2024}} to consciously avoid the reductions that apply to official fanclubs and to reject official club merchandise and the commercial name of the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fritz |first=Thomas |date=16 April 2016 |title=Die Red-Bull-Kritiker aus der Red-Bull-Arena |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2015-04/rb-leipzig-red-bull-ultras |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> In February 2015, the supporter group IG Rasenballisten became a registered voluntary association. The group had previously functioned as an interest community for other groups and individuals in the Red Bull Arena. The ''[[Mitteldeutsche Zeitung]]'' reported that the group describes itself as uniting fanatical and critical fans of RB Leipzig. Members of Rasenballisten said that the group does not hesitate to criticize Red Bull GmbH, when found necessary, and stated that the identity of a club cannot solely rely on the main sponsor. The group also makes a clear political statement, "Together for Leipzig&nbsp;– Rasenball against Racism", a statement which can be found on scarves sold by the group, and on a banner inside the stadium. RB Leipzig had previously refused to allow supporter groups such as Rasenballisten to sell their own merchandise at the stadium, but after lengthy negotiations,{{vague|date=January 2024}} the club gave permission.<ref name="Emanzipieren"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 February 2016 |title="Kritische" RB Leipzig Anhänger gründen Verein |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Kritische-RB-Leipzig-Anhaenger-gruenden-Verein&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=12008 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

The ultra group Red Aces took position against ''Legida'', the local offshoot of ''[[Pegida]]'', at the beginning of 2015. In an open letter to the club, the stadium operator, the Mayor of Leipzig and the citizens of Leipzig in January 2015, the group asked for support against a planned demonstration by Legida. The demonstration was set to begin near the Red Bull Arena, and the group specifically asked for the stadium lights to be switched off at the time of the demonstration. The stadium operator decided to support the initiative and agreed to switch off the lighting.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grimm |first1=Anne |last2=Roth |first2=Matthias |date=9 January 2015 |title=Stadion und Arena Leipzig: Wegen Legida geht das Licht aus&nbsp;– Wünsche von RB-Fans erfüllt |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Stadion-und-Arena-Leipzig-Wegen-Legida-geht-das-Licht-aus-Wuensche-von-RB-Fans-erfuellt |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012937/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Stadion-und-Arena-Leipzig-Wegen-Legida-geht-das-Licht-aus-Wuensche-von-RB-Fans-erfuellt |url-status=dead}}</ref> Red Aces had also previously asked the club for permission to display banners against racism and Legida during the last home game of 2014. The club refused to approve the requested banners, according to Red Aces because the club did not want politics in the stadium. Despite the ban, the group displayed a banner directed towards Legida, a banner that described the city of Leipzig as diverse, cosmopolitan and tolerant.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stephan |first=Sören |date=8 January 2015 |title=RB Leipzig-Fanclub "Red Aces" positioniert sich gegen die "LEGIDA"-Demonstration |url=http://fanzeit.de/rb-leipzig-fanclub-red-aces-positioniert-sich-gegen-die-legida-demonstration/16165 |language=de |newspaper=Fanzeit |location=Bochum |publisher=Fanzeit GmbH |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-date=24 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024195124/http://fanzeit.de/rb-leipzig-fanclub-red-aces-positioniert-sich-gegen-die-legida-demonstration/16165 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 January 2015 |title=RB Leipzig verbietet Antirassismus-Spruchbänder? |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=RB-Leipzig-verbietet-Antirassismus-Spruchbaender&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=8620 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref> In response to the demonstrations by Legida, the anti-racist action group ''Rasenball gegen Rassismus'' was founded by initiative of supporter groups Red Aces, Lecrats, Rabauken&nbsp;– Block 31 and IG Rasenballisten in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.netz-gegen-nazis.de/beitrag/rasenballisten-gegen-rassisten-10150 |title=Rasenballisten gegen Rassisten |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 March 2015 |website=netz-gegen-nazis.de |publisher=Amadeu Antonio Stiftung |location=Berlin |language=de |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215848/http://www.netz-gegen-nazis.de/beitrag/rasenballisten-gegen-rassisten-10150 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Before the home match against [[SpVgg Greuther Fürth]] on 3 August 2015, Red Aces again asked for permission to display a banner against Legida, with the text ''Ligaspiel und Legida&nbsp;– der Montag ist zum Kotzen da''. The club refused to approve the requested banner. During the home match against [[FC St. Pauli]] on 23 August 2015, Red Aces defied the supposed ban on anti-racist banners in the stadium through displaying a banner with a clear anti-Nazi message.<ref>{{cite news |last=Loch |first=René |date=28 August 2015 |title=RB Leipzig: Antirassistische Spruchbänder im Stadion unerwünscht |url=http://www.l-iz.de/sport/fussball/2015/08/rb-leipzig-antirassistische-spruchbaender-im-stadion-unerwuenscht-104687 |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Internet Zeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Mitteldeutsche Online Medien Ltd. |access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=28 August 2015 |title=RB Leipzig verbietet erneut antirassistische Plakate |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=RB-Leipzig-verbietet-erneut-antirassistische-Plakate&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=10691 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref> Sporting director Ralf Rangnick later said that there was no ban against anti-racist messages in the stadium, stating that the banner was prohibited before the home match against SpVgg Greuther Fürth because it contained abusive language, and that the club would agree if someone wanted to display a banner with a message such as "RBL Fans against Racism".<ref>{{cite news |last=Tenbusch |first=Ronald |date=31 August 2015 |title=Sind bei RB Leipzig Antirassismus-Banner verboten |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article145773993/Sind-bei-RB-Leipzig-Antirassismus-Banner-verboten.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref>

===Fans at away sides===
RB Leipzig supporters travelled in numbers to the first away match of 2016, against St. Pauli on 12 February 2016. Nearly 2,500 RB Leipzig supporters made its way{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='made its way'?}} to the [[Millerntorstadion]] and displayed a red and white flag [[tifo]] at the match start.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=12 February 2016 |title=RB Leipzig verliert auf St. Pauli 0:1 Niederlage am Millerntor |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-verliert-auf-st--pauli-0-1-niederlage-am-millerntor-23551292 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/neuigkeiten/Saison_2015_16/Spielbericht-Rueckspiel-St.-Pauli.html |title=Auswärtsserie trotz Top-Chancen gerissen! 0:1&nbsp;am Millerntor! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 February 2016 |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> A higher number of RB Leipzig supporters accompanied the team to [[Nuremberg]] one month later. The away match against [[1. FC Nürnberg]] on 20 March 2016 at the [[Grundig-Stadion]] was attended by 2,800 RB Leipzig supporters, according to club statistics. The number set a new club record for away supporters, which was broken in the first two Bundesliga seasons.<ref name="ReiseRekord">{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=16 March 2016 |title=RB Leipzig so beliebt wie nie&nbsp;– Reise-Rekord zum Nürnberg-Spiel |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-so-beliebt-wie-nie-Reise-Rekord-zum-Nuernberg-Spiel |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012900/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/RB-Leipzig-so-beliebt-wie-nie-Reise-Rekord-zum-Nuernberg-Spiel |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=16 March 2016 |title=Vor dem Spitzenspiel in Nürnberg Fan-Aufmarsch beim RBL-Training |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/vor-dem-spitzenspiel-in-nuernberg-fan-aufmarsch-beim-rbl-training-23738698 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/neuigkeiten/Saison_2015_16/Spielbericht-Rueckspiel-Nuernberg.html |title=Nürnberg entscheidet Top-Spiel mit 3:1 für sich! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 March 2016 |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> More than 7,000 supporters attended away matches in Dortmund, Munich and Berlin, with a one-year record{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=if the record was only for one year, is it important enough to include here?}} at the away match in Berlin, when 8,500 supporters of RBL gathered to watch their team qualify for the UEFA Champions League. One year later, more than 9,000 fans travelled for the last away game of the 2017–18 season in Berlin.

===Fanprojekt Leipzig===
{{relevance inline|date=January 2024|reason=if it is for 'young football fans of different clubs in Leipzig', why is it included in the article for this particular football club? how many of the 4 paragraphs included are necessary here?}}
The organization ''Fanprojekt Leipzig'' was founded in 2011 by initiative of the city of Leipzig and is run by Outlaw gGmbH, full name Outlaw gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendhilfe mbH.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Outlaw gGmbH is a [[Münster]]-based non-profit company for child and youth welfare.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The basic framework of the Fanprojekt Leipzig was concluded by the City of Leipzig, the Free State of Saxony and the German Football Association (DFB), and the organization receives funding from the City of Leipzig and the DFB.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=18 October 2011 |title=Lösung für Fußball-Fanprojekt in Leipzig – Stadt will für Übergangszeit neue Stelle schaffen |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/Loesung-fuer-Fussball-Fanprojekt-in-Leipzig-Stadt-will-fuer-Uebergangszeit-neue-Stelle-schaffen |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=5 August 2016 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818023014/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/Loesung-fuer-Fussball-Fanprojekt-in-Leipzig-Stadt-will-fuer-Uebergangszeit-neue-Stelle-schaffen |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Fanprojekt Leipzig is an organization for young football fans of different clubs in Leipzig, and works as an independent institution towards the different clubs.{{relevance inline|date=January 2024|reason=if it is for 'young football fans of different clubs in Leipzig', why is it included in the article for this particular football club?}} The main areas for the organization are promoting a positive supporter culture, violence prevention, help for young supporters in problem situations{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='problem situations'?}} and establishing communication between all parties involved, such as supporters, clubs, police and law enforcement.{{vague|date=January 2024}}{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Fanprojekt Leipzig is part of a network of similar Fanprojekts in numerous German cities. The different Fanprojekts are supported by a national coordination office (KOS).

Fanprojekt Leipzig runs a number of{{quantify|date=January 2024}} centers in Leipzig used for purposes such as recreational activities, content projects, painting and creation of minor choreographies, and as meeting places.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='content projects'? 'recreational activities'? minor choreographies'? what exactly is this?}}{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} For each club, the organization offers a social worker or pedagogue who works exclusively with supporters of that club.{{vague|date=January 2024}}{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The organization carries out a variety of recreational and educational activities, including sporting activities, creative projects, readings and discussions and educational programs.{{vague|date=January 2024}}{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The organization has presence during match days, where it is available for personal contact by supporters, police and law enforcement, with the aim to be able to mediate between the parties and have a de-escalating effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leipzig.de/news/news/zwei-jahre-fussball-fanprojekt/ |title=Zwei Jahre Fußball-Fanprojekt der Outlaw gGmbH in Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=18 February 2013 |website=leipzig.de |location=Leipzig |publisher=Stadt Leipzig |language=de |access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref>

RB Leipzig entered a cooperation agreement with Fanprojekt Leipzig in 2013.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The cooperation agreement involves collaboration in eight categories, involving both home and away matches, as well as anti-racism work.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The detailed cooperation agreement was by then a novelty in Germany.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='was by then a novelty in Germany'? 'by then'? and if it was a novelty, how was it a novelty? this is not explained for the reader.}}{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In addition, the RB Leipzig formed a stadium ban commission, in which Fanprojekt Leipzig provides advice to the club. Fanprojekt Leipzig has also arranged a number of{{quantify|date=January 2024}} events, in which supporters can discuss the development of the supporter scene, and whose results are presented for the club.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='the development of the supporter scene'? 'results are presented to the club'? what results? who presents them?}}<ref name="seine Fans">{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=7 September 2015 |title=RB Leipzig und seine Fans "Verstehen, was in der Kurve läuft" |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-und-seine-fans--verstehen--was-in-der-kurve-laeuft--22560796-seite2 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

==Organization and finance==
===Association===
RasenballSport Leipzig e.V is a [[Eingetragener Verein|registered voluntary association]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Its executive body is the ''[[Vorstand]]'', the management board.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The management board is appointed by the ''Ehrenrat'', the honorary board.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} It is also subordinated to the ''Aufsichtsrat'', the [[supervisory board]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The honorary board is elected directly by club members at the general meeting.

Significant organizational changes were made in 2014, following requirements set up by the German Football League (DFL). One of the requirements was to change the composition of organizational bodies. Both the management board and the honorary board had been composed by either employees or agents of Red Bull.<ref name="l-iz.de">{{cite news |last=Schöler |first=Martin |date=24 April 2014 |title=Zweitliga-Lizenz für RB Leipzig: Mehr Verein, weniger Red Bull |url=http://www.l-iz.de/Sport/Fu%C3%9Fball/2014/04/Zweitliga-Lizenz-RB-Leipzig-mehr-Abstand-zu-Red-Bull-54932.html |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Internet Zeitung |location=Leipzig |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="leipzig.sportbuzzer.de"/><ref name="welt.de">{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=24 April 2014 |title=RB Leipzig darf nur mit neuem Wappen in Liga zwei |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article127277746/RB-Leipzig-darf-nur-mit-neuem-Wappen-in-Liga-zwei.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> This effectively contradicted fundamental principles of the [[50+1 rule]], as interpreted by the DFL,<ref name="l-iz.de"/> and which aims to forbid the influence of third parties on the sporting decisions of a club.<ref name="Kicker"/> As a part of a compromise with the DFL, the club made a binding declaration that it said was intended to ensure that the management board would be occupied by a majority of persons independent of Red Bull.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In addition, a supervisory board was added.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 July 2014 |title=RB Leipzig erfüllt Lizenz-Bedingung |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/zweite-fussball-bundesliga-rb-leipzig-erfuellt-lizenz-bedingung-13025485.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> The honorary board had performed tasks normally performed by a separate controlling organizational body. These functions were now transferred to a newly created supervisory board, capable of performing these tasks independently. The club decided to transfer the former members of the honorary board to the newly created supervisory board.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schöler |first=Martin |date=4 July 2014 |title=RB Leipzig: Kalmar kommt, Gremien neu strukturiert, Derby gegen Aue unter Flutlicht |url=http://www.l-iz.de/Sport/Fu%C3%9Fball/2014/07/RB-Leipzig-Kalmar-kommt-Gremien-neu-strukturiert-56103.html |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Internet Zeiting |location=Leipzig |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-date=18 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018184000/http://www.l-iz.de/Sport/Fu%C3%9Fball/2014/07/RB-Leipzig-Kalmar-kommt-Gremien-neu-strukturiert-56103.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 July 2014 |title=RB Leipzig erfüllt Lizenz-Bedingung mit neuer Führungsebene |url=http://www.sz-online.de/nachrichten/rb-leipzig-erfuellt-lizenz-bedingung-mit-neuer-fuehrungsebene--2874415.html |language=de |newspaper=Sächsische Zeitung |location=Leipzig |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>

The association is responsible for men's junior teams from U8 to U14 and all women's football teams.<ref name="Impressum"/>

====Membership====
Voting membership is severely restricted.<ref name="welt.de"/> In contrast to all other association football clubs in Germany, there is no official way to become a voting member of RasenballSport Leipzig e.V. According to Ulrich Wolter, the club does not aspire towards the high number of members of other clubs. Wolter has also pointed at other clubs, where [[Ultras]] have succeeded in creating structures, and stated that the club absolutely wants to avoid such conditions.<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=RB-Leipzig-Geschäftsführer Ulrich Wolter: "Wir bauen einen Ost-Leuchtturm" |language=de |journal=Sport Bild |pages=36 |issn=0934-3369 |date=8 May 2013}}</ref>

For the establishment of a registered voluntary association, an association is required by German law<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__56.html |title=Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) § 56 Mindestmitgliederzahl des Vereins |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=gesetze-im-internet.de |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz |language=de |access-date=27 July 2015 |quote=Die Eintragung soll nur erfolgen, wenn die Zahl der Mitglieder mindestens sieben beträgt.}}</ref> to have at least seven members. Four years after its founding, the club had only 9 members, all employees of Red Bull.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> By 2014 the registration fee for membership stood at 100 euros<ref name="welt.de"/> and the annual membership fee at 800 euros,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 May 2014 |title=2. Fußball-Bundesliga: RB Leipzig ändert sein Logo |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/2-fussball-bundesliga-rb-leipzig-aendert-sein-logo-a-971793.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> in comparison to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] who, by that time, offered membership at annual fees between 30 and 60 euros.<ref name="Guardian1"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Klinger |first=Nikolaus |date=21 January 2014 |title=RB Leipzig muss um Lizenz zittern |url=http://www.salzburg.com/nachrichten/welt/sport/fussball/sn/artikel/rb-leipzig-muss-um-lizenz-zittern-91242/ |language=de |newspaper=Salzburger Nachrichten |location=Salzburg |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/id_67485604/rb-leipzig-droht-aerger-mit-der-dfl.html |title=Probleme mit der Lizenz&nbsp;– RB Leipzig droht Ärger mit der DFL |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 January 2014 |website=t-online.de |location=Darmstadt |publisher=Digital Media Products GmbH |language=de |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> In addition to this, a person willing to pay the fee could not expect to become a member, since the management board could reject an application without notice.<ref name="Guardian1"/><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite news |last=Rößner |first=Jörg |date=4 December 2014 |title=Warum RB Leipzig nur neun Mitglieder hat |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article122505625/Warum-RB-Leipzig-nur-neun-Mitglieder-hat.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>

This restrictive membership policy met criticism,{{from whom?|date=January 2024}} thus one of the original requirements set up by the DFL in order to obtain a license for the 2014–15 2. Bundesliga season was to lower the membership fees and open up the association for new members. The club, in response to this pressure from the DFL, announced changes to the membership in June 2014.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 June 2014 |title=Neumitglieder bei RB Leipzig ohne Mitbestimmung |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Neumitglieder-bei-RB-Leipzig-ohne-Mitbestimmung&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=7226 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=20 December 2015}}</ref> It then became possible for a person to become an "official supporting member". The annual fee for this type of membership is{{when|date=January 2024}} between 70 and 1000 euros and serves to promote junior football within the club. In return, a "supporting member" receives certain privileges, such as a meeting with the professional team and a fitness session at the Red Bull Arena. "Supporting members" also have the right to attend general meetings, ''although without voting rights''.<ref name="mdr.de">{{cite web |url=http://www.mdr.de/sport/fussball_bl/rb-leipzig-gmbh102.html |title=Ausgliederung&nbsp;– "RB Leipzig aus Grauzone" |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 December 2014 |website=mdr.de |language=de |access-date=27 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120627/http://www.mdr.de/sport/fussball_bl/rb-leipzig-gmbh102.html |archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref> In order to improve participation in the association, "supporting members" are represented by one member in the supervisory board.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=13 January 2015 |title=DFL-Lizenauflagen für RB Leipzig: Aufsichtsrat soll durch Fördermitglied verstärkt werden |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/DFL-Lizenauflagen-fuer-RB-Leipzig-Aufsichtsrat-soll-durch-Foerdermitglied-verstaerkt-werden |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023064549/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/DFL-Lizenauflagen-fuer-RB-Leipzig-Aufsichtsrat-soll-durch-Foerdermitglied-verstaerkt-werden |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===GmbH===
On 2 December 2014, the general meeting of the association voted unanimously for the founding of a spin-off organization in the form of a [[GmbH]]. The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting. Present were 14 voting members and 40 "supporting members".<ref name="dw.de">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 December 2014 |title=RB Leipzig gründet GmbH |url=http://www.dw.com/de/rb-leipzig-gr%C3%BCndet-gmbh/a-18106715 |language=de |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> Chairman Oliver Mintzlaff stated that the change was made for the club to be able to step up professionally{{vague|date=January 2024}} and to remain competitive.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 December 2014 |title=RB Leipzigs 14 Mitglieder stimmen für Klub-Umbau |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article134955547/RB-Leipzigs-14-Mitglieder-stimmen-fuer-Klub-Umbau.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 December 2014 |title=2. Fußballbundesliga: RB Leipzig beschließt Ausgliederung der Profiabteilung |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-gliedert-profiabteilung-aus-a-1006243.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> The ''RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH'' is responsible for the professional team, the reserve team and men's junior teams from U15 and above.<ref name="Impressum"/><ref name="mdr.de"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/>

As of 2015, Red Bull GmbH is the main shareholder of RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH, holding 99 percent of the shares. The remaining one percent is held by the association. However, as required by the 50 + 1 rule, formal power lies with the association, which holds the majority of votes.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 September 2015 |title=RB Leipzig: Das steckt hinter dem Retortenclub |url=http://www.tz.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig-fans-stadion-proteste-roten-bullen-red-bull-3554764.html |language=de |newspaper=tz |location=München |publisher=Zeitungsverlag tz München GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=20 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=23 November 2015 |title=Warum RB Leipzig von St. Paulis Plänen profitiert |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article149166336/Warum-RB-Leipzig-von-St-Paulis-Plaenen-profitiert.html |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=20 December 2015}}</ref>

As of April 2016, the [[general manager]] of RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH was Oliver Mintzlaff.<ref name="Impressum"/>

===Sponsorship===
RB Leipzig's kits were first provided by German sportswear brand [[Adidas]] from the club's founding. In 2014, the club switched to the American sportswear brand [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], in an agreement that was expected to be in place until at least 2025.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=19 April 2014 |title=Nike wird neuer Ausrüster von RB Leipzig |url=http://leipzig-seiten.de/index.php/sport/32-sport/fussball/14347-nike-wird-neuer-ausruester-von-rb-leipzig |language=de |newspaper=Leipzig-Seiten |location=Leipzig |publisher=LE-news-NET UG |access-date=22 October 2015 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716123247/https://leipzig-seiten.de/index.php/sport/32-sport/fussball/14347-nike-wird-neuer-ausruester-von-rb-leipzig |url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 2014, the club also entered into promotional agreements with [[Hugo Boss]], [[Porsche]] as youth sponsor, and [[Volkswagen]] for stadium commercials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schäfer |first1=Guido |last2=Roth |first2=Matthias |date=1 October 2014 |title=Top-Sponsoren für RB Leipzig: VW und Porsche steigen ein&nbsp;– Weiterer Deal vor Abschluss |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Top-Sponsoren-fuer-RB-Leipzig-VW-und-Porsche-steigen-ein-Weiterer-Deal-vor-Abschluss |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 October 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012915/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Top-Sponsoren-fuer-RB-Leipzig-VW-und-Porsche-steigen-ein-Weiterer-Deal-vor-Abschluss |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 20 May 2016, RB Leipzig extended its contract with [[Ur-Krostitzer|Krostitzer Brauerei]] to be its official beer partner until 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dierotenbullen.com/rbl/neuigkeiten/Saison_2015_16/Vertragsverlaengerung-Ur-Krostitzer.html |title=RB Leipzig & Ur-Krostitzer verlängern Partnerschaft bis 2018! |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 May 2016 |website=dierotenbullen.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |language=de |access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref>

===Joint donation, with Dortmund, Bayern and Leverkusen===
In March 2020, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, the four German UEFA Champions League teams for the 2019–20 season, collectively gave €20&nbsp;million to Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 teams that were struggling financially during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Veth |first1=Manuel |title=Bundesliga Champions League Starters Donate €20 Million To Help With Coronavirus Crisis |website=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/manuelveth/2020/03/27/bundesliga-champions-league-starters-donate-20m-to-help-with-coronavirus-crisis/ |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>

==Players==
===Current squad===
{{Updated|1 July 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/first-team/team/|title=Team|publisher=RB Leipzig}}</ref>
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=HUN|pos=GK|name=[[Péter Gulácsi]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|3rd captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=NED|name=[[Lutsharel Geertruida]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=HUN|pos=DF|name=[[Willi Orbán]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=[[El Chadaille Bitshiabu]]}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=NOR|pos=MF|name=[[Antonio Nusa]]}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=MLI|pos=MF|name=[[Amadou Haidara]]}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=DEN|pos=FW|name=[[Yussuf Poulsen]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=[[Xavi Simons]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=[[Loïs Openda]]}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=AUT|pos=MF|name=[[Nicolas Seiwald]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=AUT|pos=MF|name=[[Christoph Baumgartner]]}}  
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=[[Lukas Klostermann]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=[[Ridle Baku]]}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=[[Arthur Vermeeren]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=[[Assan Ouédraogo]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=[[David Raum]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=[[Castello Lukeba]]}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=AUT|pos=MF|name=[[Xaver Schlager]]}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=[[Leopold Zingerle]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=[[Maarten Vandevoordt]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=FRA|pos=FW|name=[[Tidiam Gomis]]}}
{{Fs player|no=29|nat=GER|pos=FW|name=[[Robert Ramsak]]}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=SLO|pos=FW|name=[[Benjamin Šeško]]}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=[[Faik Sakar]]}}
{{Fs player|no=39|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=[[Benjamin Henrichs]]}}
{{Fs player|no=43|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Leon Koß}}
{{Fs player|no=44|nat=SVN|pos=MF|name=[[Kevin Kampl]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|vice-captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=47|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=[[Viggo Gebel]]}}
{{Fs player|no=48|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Lionel Voufack}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=[[Janis Blaswich]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=[[Frederik Jäkel]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Tim Köhler}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=[[Ezechiel Banzuzi]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=MKD|pos=MF|name=[[Eljif Elmas]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=CZE|pos=FW|name=[[Yannick Eduardo]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=POR|pos=FW|name=[[André Silva (footballer, born 1995)|André Silva]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GER|pos=FW|name=[[Timo Werner]]}}
{{Fs end}}

===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=Timo Schlieck|other={{small|at [[SpVgg Greuther Fürth|Greuther Fürth]] until 30 June 2026}}}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NOR|pos=DF|name=[[Jonathan Norbye]]|other={{small|at [[Arminia Bielefeld]] until 30 June 2026}}}}
{{Fs end}}

==Notable players==
===Most appearances===
''Statistics correct as of 12th November 2024.''

*The ten players with the most appearances are listed.
*Appearances include matches in all competitions.
*Appearances include substitute appearances.
*Players marked in'' '''''bold''''' ''are still playing for the club.
	
[[File:RB Leipzig vs. FC Liefering (Testspiel 9. August 2016) 23.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Yussuf Poulsen]] is RB Leipzig's most capped player.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|+ Most appearances<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |title=RasenBallsport Leipzig&nbsp;– eingesetzte Spieler Saison 2013/14 |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leipzig/kader/3-liga/2013-14 |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |title=RasenBallsport Leipzig&nbsp;– eingesetzte Spieler Saison 2014/15 |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leipzig/kader/2-bundesliga/2014-15 |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |title=RasenBallsport Leipzig&nbsp;– eingesetzte Spieler Saison 2015/16 |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leipzig/kader/2-bundesliga/2015-16 |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |title=RasenBallsport Leipzig&nbsp;– eingesetzte Spieler Saison 2016/17 |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leipzig/kader/bundesliga/2016-17 |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=3 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |title=RB Leipzig – eingesetzte Spieler Saison 2017/18  |url=https://www.kicker.de/rb-leipzig/kader/bundesliga/2017-18 |language=de |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia-Verlag GmbH |access-date=3 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
!Rank!!Player!!Nationality!!Position!!Tenure!!{{tooltip|Apps|Appearances}}
|-
|1
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Yussuf|Poulsen}}'''
|align=left|{{DEN|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2013–||410
|-
|2
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Willi|Orbán}}'''
|align=left|{{HUN|}}
|[[Defender (association football)|Defender]]||2015–||348
|-
|3
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Péter|Gulácsi}}'''
|align=left|{{HUN|}}
|[[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]||2015–||338
|-
|4
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Lukas|Klostermann}}'''
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Defender (association football)|Defender]]||2014–||326
|-
|5
|align=left|{{sortname|Emil|Forsberg|}}
|align=left|{{SWE|}}
|[[Midfielder]]||2015–2023||325
|-
|6
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Kevin|Kampl|}}'''
|align=left|{{SVN|}}
|[[Midfielder]]|||2017–||279
|-
|7
|align=left|{{sortname|Marcel|Halstenberg|}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Defender (association football)|Defender]]|||2015–2023||240
|-
|8
|align=left|{{sortname|Marcel|Sabitzer}}
|align=left|{{AUT|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2014–2021||229
|-
|9
|align=left|{{sortname|Diego|Demme}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Midfielder]]||{{nowrap|2014–2020}}||214
|-
|10
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Timo|Werner}}'''
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2016–2020, 2022–||213
|}

===Top goalscorers===
''Statistics correct as of 12th November 2024.''

*The ten players with the most goals are listed.
*Players marked in'' '''''bold''''' ''are still playing for the club.

[[File:2020-03-10 Fußball, Männer, UEFA Champions League Achtelfinale, RB Leipzig - Tottenham Hotspur 1DX 3684 by Stepro.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Timo Werner]] is RB Leipzig's top goalscorer.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|+ Most goals
|-
!Rank!!Player!!Nationality!!Position!!Tenure!!{{tooltip|Goals|Goals}}
|-
|1
|align=left|{{sortname|Timo|Werner}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2016–2020, 2022–2024||113
|-
|2
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Yussuf|Poulsen}}'''
|align=left|{{DEN|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2013–||92
|-
|3
|align=left|{{sortname|Daniel|Frahn|}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]|||2010–2015||87
|-
|4
|align=left|{{sortname|Emil|Forsberg}}
|align=left|{{SWE|}}
|[[Midfielder]]||2015–2023||71
|-
|5
|align=left|{{sortname|Christopher|Nkunku}}
|align=left|{{FRA|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2019–2023||70
|-
|6
|align=left|{{sortname|Marcel|Sabitzer}}
|align=left|{{AUT|}}
|[[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]]||2014–2021||52
|-
|rowspan="2"|7
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Loïs|Openda}}'''
|align=left|{{BEL|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward)|Midfielder]]||2023–||rowspan="2"|34
|-
|align=left|{{sortname|Dominik|Kaiser}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|[[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]]||2012–2018
|-
|9
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Willi|Orbán}}'''
|align=left|{{HUN|}}
|[[Defender (association football)|Defender]]||2015–||30
|-
|10
|align=left|[[Dani Olmo]]
|align=left|{{ESP|}}
|[[Forward (association football)|Forward]]||2020–2024||29
|}

===Captains===
*Players marked in'' '''''bold''''' ''are still playing for the club.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Captain!!Nationality!!Years!!Notes
|-
|align=left|{{sortname|Ingo|Hertzsch}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|{{nowrap|2009–2010}}||<ref name="NeuerKapitän1">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=31 July 2010 |title=Tim Sebastian neuer RB-Kapitän |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Tim-Sebastian-neuer-RB-Kapitän |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=6 January 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|[[Tim Sebastian (footballer)|Tim Sebastian]]
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|2010–2011||<ref name="NeuerKapitän1"/>
|-
|align=left|{{sortname|Daniel|Frahn}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|2011–2015||<ref>{{cite news |last=Hennig |first=John |date=30 July 2011 |title=Kapitänsbinde beflügelt Leipzigs Pokalheld Frahn&nbsp;– Trainer Pacult sieht sich bestätigt |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Kapitaensbinde-befluegelt-Leipzigs-Pokalheld-Frahn-Trainer-Pacult-sieht-sich-bestaetigt |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=6 January 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071251/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Kapitaensbinde-befluegelt-Leipzigs-Pokalheld-Frahn-Trainer-Pacult-sieht-sich-bestaetigt |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|{{sortname|Dominik|Kaiser}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|2015–2017||<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=23 July 2015 |title=Kaiser will RB Leipzig mehr Auswärtsstärke verleihen |url=http://www.mz-web.de/rb-leipzig/rbl-spielfuehrer-dominik-kaiser-kaiser-will-rb-leipzig-mehr-auswaertsstaerke-verleihen,27404014,31292750.html |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co |access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Willi|Orbán}}'''
|align=left|{{Flagu|Hungary}}
|align=left|2017–2020, 2023–||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sport1.de/fussball/bundesliga/2017/08/rb-leipzig-willi-orban-neuer-kapitaen-gulacsi-bleibt-nummer-eins |title=Orban neuer Leipzig-Kapitän |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=11 August 2017 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=3 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarian-footballer-chosen-team-captain-at-rb-leipzig/ |title=Hungarian Footballer Chosen Team Captain at RB Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 August 2023 |website=hungarytoday.hu |publisher=Hungary Today |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|{{sortname|Marcel|Sabitzer}}
|align=left|{{AUT|}}
|align=left|2020–2021||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bulinews.com/news/5875/marcel-sabitzer-made-new-leipzig-captain |title=Marcel Sabitzer made new RB Leipzig captain |first=Rune |last=Gjerulff |date=30 August 2020 |website=Bulinews.com |publisher=Bulinews |access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|'''{{sortname|Péter|Gulácsi}}'''
|align=left|{{Flagu|Hungary}}
|align=left|2021–2023||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bulinews.com/news/9944/peter-gulacsi-named-new-leipzig-captain|title=Peter Gulacsi made new RB Leipzig captain |first=Rune |last=Gjerulff 
|date=9 September 2021 |website=Bulinews.com |publisher=Bulinews |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>
|}

==Staff==
===Current staff===
{{updated|30 March 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/professionals/team/ |title=Team |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=rbleipzig.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802000946/https://rbleipzig.com/en/professionals/team/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://rbleipzig.com/en/professionals/staff/ |title=Staff |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=rbleipzig.com |location=Leipzig |publisher=RasenballSport Leipzig GmbH |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022090401/https://rbleipzig.com/en/professionals/staff/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Position!!Name!!Notes
|-
|align=left|Head coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Ole Werner]]||
|-
|align=left|Assistant coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Frank Geideck]] <br /> {{flagicon|GER}} [[Alexander Zickler]]||
|-
|align=left|First-team coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Marco Kurth]]||
|-
|align=left|Goalkeeping coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Frederik Gößling||
|-
|align=left|Athletic coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Daniel Behlau||
|-
|-
|align=left|Athletic coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|AUT}} Patrick Eibenberger||
|-
|align=left|Athletic coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Ruwen Faller||
|-
|align=left|Athletic coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Kai Kraft||
|-
|align=left|Sporting coordinator
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Felix Krüger||
|-
|align=left|Team manager
|align=left|{{flagicon|SEN}} [[Babacar N'Diaye]]||
|-
|align=left|Head of match analysis
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Fabian Friedrich||
|-
|align=left|Head of medicine & sports science
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Dr. Helge Riepenhof||
|-
|align=left|Head of sports science
|align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Jack Nayler||
|-
|align=left|Team doctor
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Dr. Robert Percy Marshall||
|-
|align=left|Team doctor
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Dr. Frank Striegler||
|-
|align=left|Team doctor
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} Jan-Niklas Droste||
|-
|align=left|Mental performance coach
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Peter Schneider||
|}

===Coach history===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|number}}!!Head coach!!Nationality!!From!!Until!!Days!!class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
|align=left|1
|align=left|{{sortname|Tino|Vogel|nolink=1}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|1 July 2009
|align=left|30 June 2010
|align=left|{{age in days|2009|7|1|2010|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/rb-leipzig/9/ |title=RB Leipzig – Manager history |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=n.d. |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |location=Münster |access-date=8 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|2
|align=left|{{sortname|Tomas|Oral}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|1 July 2010
|align=left|30 June 2011
|align=left|{{age in days|2010|7|1|2011|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|3
|align=left|{{sortname|Peter|Pacult}}
|align=left|{{AUT|}}
|align=left|1 July 2011
|align=left|30 June 2012
|align=left|{{age in days|2011|7|1|2012|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|4
|align=left|{{sortname|Alexander|Zorniger}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|1 July 2012
|align=left|11 February 2015
|align=left|{{age in days|2012|7|1|2015|2|10}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|5
|align=left|{{sortname|Achim|Beierlorzer}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|11 February 2015
|align=left|30 June 2015
|align=left|{{age in days|2015|2|11|2015|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/><sup>[[#Notes|Note 1]]</sup>
|-
|align=left|6
|align=left|{{sortname|Ralf|Rangnick}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|1 July 2015
|align=left|30 June 2016
|align=left|{{age in days|2015|7|1|2016|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|7
|align=left|{{sortname|Ralph|Hasenhüttl}}
|align=left|{{AUT|}}
|align=left|1 July 2016
|align=left|16 May 2018
|align=left|{{age in days|2016|7|1|2018|5|16}}||<ref name="Manager history"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1 May 2016 |title=Medien: Hasenhüttl geht nach Leipzig |url=http://www.donaukurier.de/sport/fussball/fcingolstadt04/fc04-berichte/Medien-Hasenhuettl-geht-nach-Leipzig;art19158,3212892 |language=de |newspaper=Donaukurier |location=Ingolstadt |publisher=Donaukurier Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=8 May 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|8
|align=left|{{sortname|Ralf|Rangnick}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|9 July 2018
|align=left|30 June 2019
|align=left|{{age in days|2018|7|9|2019|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|9
|align=left|{{sortname|Julian|Nagelsmann}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|1 July 2019
|align=left|30 June 2021
|align=left|{{age in days|2019|7|1|2021|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|10
|align=left|{{sortname|Jesse|Marsch}}
|align=left|{{USA|}}
|align=left|1 July 2021
|align=left|5 December 2021
|align=left|{{age in days|2021|7|1|2021|12|5}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|11
|align=left|{{sortname|Achim|Beierlorzer}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|5 December 2021
|align=left|9 December 2021
|align=left|{{age in days|2021|12|5|2021|12|9}}||<ref name="Manager history"/><sup>[[#Notes|Note 1]]</sup>
|-
|align=left|12
|align=left|{{sortname|Domenico|Tedesco}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
<ref name=DTGER1>{{cite web | url=https://footystats.org/managers/germany/domenico-tedesco | title=Domeneco Tedesco Stats | publisher=FootyStats | date= | access-date=17 August 2024 }}</ref><ref name=DTGER2>{{cite web | url=https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/players/853795/domenico-tedesco | title=Domeneco Tedesco - stats and career | publisher=FotMob | date= | access-date=17 August 2024 }}</ref><ref name=DTGER3>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/people/domenico-tedesco/ | title=Domeneco Tedesco - Manager - Latest news | publisher=Sports Mole | date= | access-date=17 August 2024 }}</ref><ref name=DTGER4>{{cite web | url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/people/soccer/domenico-tedesco/142357/ | title=Domeneco Tedesco - Soccer player profile | publisher=Global Sports Archive | date= | access-date=17 August 2024 }}</ref>{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
|align=left|9 December 2021
|align=left|7 September 2022
|align=left|{{age in days|2021|12|9|2022|9|7}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|13
|align=left|{{sortname|Marco|Rose}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|8 September 2022
|align=left|30 March 2025
|align=left|{{age in days|2022|9|8|2025|3|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|-
|align=left|14
|align=left|{{sortname|Zsolt|Lőw}}
|align=left|{{HUN|}}
|align=left|30 March 2025
|align=left|30 June 2025
|align=left|{{age in days|2025|3|30|2025|6|30}}||<ref name="Manager history"/><sup>[[#Notes|Note 1]]</sup>
|-
|align=left|15
|align=left|{{sortname|Ole|Werner}}
|align=left|{{GER|}}
|align=left|1 July 2025
|align=left|
|align=left|{{age in days|2025|7|1|||}}||<ref name="Manager history"/>
|}

<span id="Notes ></span>'''Notes'''
# Interim coach.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==Season history==
{{Main|List of RB Leipzig seasons}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | Season
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | League
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | Pos
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | W
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | D
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | L
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | GF
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | GA
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | Pts
! style="background:#ABCDEF;" | [[DFB-Pokal]]
|- align="center"
|[[2020–21 RB Leipzig season|2020–21]]||Bundesliga || style=background:silver|2nd || 19 || 8 || 7 || 60 || 32 || 65 || style=background:silver|[[2020–21 DFB-Pokal|Runners-up]]
|- align="center"
|[[2021–22 RB Leipzig season|2021–22]]||Bundesliga || 4th || 17 || 7 || 10 || 72 || 37 || 58 || style=background:gold;"|[[2021–22 DFB-Pokal|'''Winners''']]
|- align="center"
|[[2022–23 RB Leipzig season|2022–23]]||Bundesliga || bgcolor=CFAA88|3rd || 20 || 6 || 8 || 64 || 41 || 66 || style=background:gold;"|[[2022–23 DFB-Pokal|'''Winners''']]
|-
|- align="center"
|[[2023–24 RB Leipzig season|2023–24]]||Bundesliga || 4th || 19 || 8 || 7 || 77 || 39 || 65 || [[2023–24 DFB-Pokal|Second round]]
|- align="center"
|[[2024–25 RB Leipzig season|2024–25]]||Bundesliga || 7th || 13 || 12 || 9 || 53 || 48 || 51 || [[2024–25 DFB-Pokal|Semifinals]]
|-
| colspan="12" align="center" | '''Green marks a season followed by promotion<!--, red a season followed by relegation.-->'''
|}

===European competitions===
{{main|RB Leipzig in European football}}

====Overview====
Having finished as runners-up in their [[2016–17 Bundesliga|debut season]] in the German top flight, RB Leipzig gained entry to continental football for the first time, specifically the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League]]. RB Leipzig is one of the first clubs to qualify for the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] so soon (eight years) after its creation.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='one of the first clubs... so soon...'? not even the first club? and how soon is 'soon' here?}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/rb-leipzig-looking-forward-to-champions-league-debut/a-40469025|title=RB Leipzig looking forward to Champions League debut|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|date=12 September 2017|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> The campaign also saw Red Bull Salzburg qualify as [[2016–17 Austrian Football Bundesliga|Austrian champions]]; this raised the issue of a possible conflict of interest between the clubs due to the level of influence exerted by Red Bull over both teams and the close sporting relationship between them in various aspects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/uefa-rules-threaten-to-disqualify-rb-leipzig-or-red-bull/v0j6kr78ol271fvtzim2p67qm|title=UEFA rules threaten to disqualify RB Leipzig or Red Bull Salzburg from Champions League|website=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]|date=22 February 2017 |access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref><ref name=soul>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/2567291c-2f89-11e7-9555-23ef563ecf9a|title=Red Bull and the fight for football's soul |work=[[Financial Times]]|date=5 May 2017|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/may/12/red-bull-uefa-multiple-ownership-rules|title=Red Bull will need all its energy to overcome Uefa ownership rules|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Williams|first=Richard|date=12 May 2017|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> After examining the operational structures during June 2017, [[UEFA]] declared themselves satisfied under their regulations that the two clubs (particularly Salzburg) were suitably independent from the Red Bull corporation, and sufficiently distinct from one another, for both be admitted to their competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rb-leipzig-fc-salzburg-champions-league-clear-red-bull-link-a7799726.html|title=German clubs won't appeal after Uefa clear RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg for Champions League despite Red Bull link|work=[[The Independent]]|date=20 June 2017 |access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40348340|title=Champions League: RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg both allowed to compete|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 June 2017|access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref>

In the first season following that ruling, both reached the quarter-finals of the [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League]] but did not play each other, with RB Leipzig eliminated by [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]], who then also knocked out Salzburg in the semi-finals. However, in the [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|next edition]] of the same competition, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg were drawn together in [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League group stage#Group B|Group B]] to meet competitively for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/europa-league-draw-leipzig-drawn-with-sister-club-salzburg-frankfurt-have-it-tough/a-45305086|title=Europa League Draw: Leipzig drawn with 'sister' club Salzburg, Frankfurt have it tough|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|date=31 August 2018|access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allinfo.space/2018/08/31/red-bull-clubs-leipzig-encounters-salzburg/|title=Red-Bull-clubs: Leipzig encounters Salzburg|website=Allinfo|date=31 August 2018|access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref> Salzburg won both fixtures between the clubs (3–2 in Germany, 1–0 in Austria),<ref name="RB Leipzig 2–3 Red Bull Salzburg">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45595454|title=RB Leipzig 2–3 Red Bull Salzburg|work=BBC Sport|date=20 September 2018|access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/europa-league-rb-leipzig-hanging-by-a-thread-after-salzburg-loss/a-46514308|title=Europa League: RB Leipzig hanging by a thread after Salzburg loss|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=29 November 2018|access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref> and also won all their other matches to top the group, while Leipzig failed to progress after dropping further points against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]].<ref name="balls.ie">{{cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/watch-unlikely-rosenborg-goal-saved-celtics-blushes-402894|title=Watch: The Unlikely Rosenborg Goal That Saved Celtic's Blushes|website=Balls|date=14 December 2018|access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref>

====UEFA club coefficient ranking====
''As of 29 August 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/club/#/yr/2025|title=Member associations – UEFA Coefficients – Club coefficients|date=July 2018 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref>''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Rank !! Team !! Points
|-
|10||align=left|{{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]||81.500
|-
|11||align=left|{{fbaicon|GER}} [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]]||78.000
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd"
|12||align=left|{{fbaicon|GER}} '''RB Leipzig'''||76.000
|-
|13||align=left|{{fbaicon|POR}} [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]||75.000
|-
|14||align=left|{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]]||73.000
|}

==RB Leipzig affiliated teams==
{{Main|RB Leipzig affiliated teams}}

RB Leipzig has several affiliated teams, including a women's team, and junior and academy teams.

===Relationship with Red Bull Salzburg===
In 2005, Red Bull bought a club in [[Salzburg]], Austria and renamed them [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]] (so named to circumvent local rules on corporate naming) with the aim of establishing a leading branded team in that country in a similar mould to its existing franchises in Salzburg and other locations.<ref name="NewYorkSalzburg2">{{cite news |last=Spannagel |first=Lars |date=16 June 2009 |title=New York, Salzburg, Markranstädt: Der RB Leipzig kommt |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/fussball/new-york-salzburg-markranstaedt-der-rb-leipzig-kommt/1536976.html |trans-title=New York, Salzburg, Markranstädt: RB Leipzig is coming|language=de |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |publisher=Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Magee |first=Will |date=2023-09-27 |title=Austria Salzburg refuse to play second fiddle to Red Bull 18 years after split |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/27/austria-salzburg-refuse-to-play-second-fiddle-to-red-bull-18-years-after-split |access-date=2023-11-15 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Over the next decade, Leipzig became the owners' main football project, and the close relationship between the teams was exemplified by the number of players moving between them ([[Georg Teigl]], [[Marcel Sabitzer]], [[Yordy Reyna]], and [[Stefan Ilsanker (footballer)|Stefan Ilsanker]] all transferred from Salzburg to Leipzig) with some of the Austrian fans becoming increasingly annoyed at their best players being signed by the 'step-sibling' club in their mission to climb through the [[German football league system|levels of German football]].<ref>{{cite news |date=30 April 2015 |title=Red Bull Salzburg Fans singen gegen RB Leipzig|trans-title=Red Bull Salzburg fans sing against RB Leipzig |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Red-Bull-Salzburg-Fans-singen-gegen-RB-Leipzig&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=9669 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Fritz |first=Thomas |date=27 June 2015 |title=Wenn Red-Bull-Fans "Scheiß RB Leipzig" singen|trans-title=When Red Bull fans sing "shit RB Leipzig" |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2015-06/rb-leipzig-salzburg-spielerwechsel |language=de |newspaper=Zeit Online |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> There are also links between their [[youth system]]s<ref name="neueMaßstäbe">{{cite news |last=Schmeckel |first=Maximilian |date=30 March 2015 |title=RB-Nachwuchsleiter Schrof: "Wir werden neue Maßstäbe setzen" |trans-title=RB youth manager Schrof: "We will set new standards"|url=http://www.goal.com/de/news/3643/exklusiv/2015/03/30/10304032/rb-nachwuchsleiter-schrof-wir-werden-neue-ma%C3%9Fst%C3%A4be-setzen |language=de |website=Goal |location=Munich |publisher=PERFORM Media Deutschland GmbH |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> and [[Scout (association football)|scouting networks]].<ref>{{cite news |date=17 August 2014 |title=So funktioniert das "System Red Bull" | trans-title=How the "Red Bull system" works |url=http://inside11.de/fussball-system-red-bull/ |language=de |newspaper=Inside 11 |location=Bubenheim |publisher=Inside 11, Sole trader:Julian Beck |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref>

Having finished as runners-up in their [[2016–17 Bundesliga|debut season]] in the German top flight, RB Leipzig gained entry to continental football for the first time, specifically the [[2017–18 UEFA Champions League]] for which Red Bull Salzburg had also qualified as [[2016–17 Austrian Football Bundesliga|Austrian champions]]; this raised the issue of a possible conflict of interest between the clubs due to the level of influence exerted by Red Bull over both teams and the close sporting relationship between them in various aspects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/uefa-rules-threaten-to-disqualify-rb-leipzig-or-red-bull/v0j6kr78ol271fvtzim2p67qm|title=UEFA rules threaten to disqualify RB Leipzig or Red Bull Salzburg from Champions League|website=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]|date=22 February 2017 |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref name=soul2>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2567291c-2f89-11e7-9555-23ef563ecf9a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012200/https://www.ft.com/content/2567291c-2f89-11e7-9555-23ef563ecf9a |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-access=subscription |url-status=bot: unknown |title=Red Bull and the fight for football's soul |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/may/12/red-bull-uefa-multiple-ownership-rules|title=Red Bull will need all its energy to overcome Uefa ownership rules|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Richard Williams|date=12 May 2017|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> After examining the operational structures during June 2017, [[UEFA]] declared themselves satisfied under their regulations that the two clubs (particularly Salzburg) were suitably independent from the Red Bull corporation, and sufficiently distinct from one another, for both to be admitted to their competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rb-leipzig-fc-salzburg-champions-league-clear-red-bull-link-a7799726.html|title=German clubs won't appeal after Uefa clear RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg for Champions League despite Red Bull link|work=[[The Independent]]|date=20 June 2017 |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40348340|title=Champions League: RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg both allowed to compete|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 June 2017|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> In the first season following that ruling, both reached the quarter-finals of the [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League]] but did not play each other, with RB Leipzig eliminated by [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]], who then also knocked out Salzburg in the semi-finals. However, in the [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|next edition]] of the same competition, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg were drawn together in [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League group stage#Group B|Group B]] to meet competitively for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/europa-league-draw-leipzig-drawn-with-sister-club-salzburg-frankfurt-have-it-tough/a-45305086|title=Europa League Draw: Leipzig drawn with 'sister' club Salzburg, Frankfurt have it tough|work=[[Deutsche Welle]]|date=31 August 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allinfo.space/2018/08/31/red-bull-clubs-leipzig-encounters-salzburg/|title=Red-Bull-clubs: Leipzig encounters Salzburg|website=Allinfo|date=31 August 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> Salzburg were the victors in both fixtures between the clubs (3–2 in Germany, 1–0 in Austria)<ref name="RB Leipzig 2–3 Red Bull Salzburg"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/europa-league-rb-leipzig-hanging-by-a-thread-after-salzburg-loss/a-46514308|title=Europa League: RB Leipzig hanging by a thread after Salzburg loss|work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=29 November 2018|access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref> and also won all their other matches to top the group, while Leipzig failed to progress after dropping further points against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]].<ref name="balls.ie"/> In December 2020, [[Dominik Szoboszlai]] poised to become the second RB Salzburg player to move to RB Leipzig in space of six months, after [[Hwang Hee-chan]] completed the switch in summer.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dominik Szoboszlai Set to Join RB Leipzig |url=https://footballexpress.in/rb-salzburg-dominik-szoboszlai-to-join-rb-leipzig/ |website=footballexpress.in |date=17 December 2020 |access-date=13 November 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107211435/https://footballexpress.in/rb-salzburg-dominik-szoboszlai-to-join-rb-leipzig/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2023, they completed deals of both [[Nicolas Seiwald]] (€20,000,000) and [[Benjamin Šeško]] (€24,000,000) from Salzburg for a total of €54,000,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-15 |title=Benjamin Sesko continues RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig love-hate relationship |url=https://footballwhispers.com/blog/benjamin-sesko-continues-rb-salzburg-and-rb-leipzig-love-hate-relationship/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=footballwhispers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicolas Seiwald: Who is RB Leipzig's new silky midfielder from Salzburg? |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/who-is-nicolas-seiwald-rb-leipzig-s-new-silky-midfielder-red-bull-salzburg-22793 |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website}}</ref>

==Honours==
===Domestic===
====League====
* '''[[Bundesliga]]'''
** ''Runners-up:'' [[2016–17 Bundesliga|2016–17]], [[2020–21 Bundesliga|2020–21]]
* '''[[2. Bundesliga]]''' (II)
** ''Runners-up:'' [[2015–16 2. Bundesliga|2015–16]]
* '''[[3. Liga]]''' (III)
** ''Runners-up:'' [[2013–14 3. Liga|2013–14]]
* '''[[Regionalliga Nordost]]''' (IV)
** '''Winners:''' [[2012–13 Regionalliga|2012–13]]
* '''[[NOFV-Oberliga Süd]]''' (V)
** '''Winners:''' [[2009–10 NOFV-Oberliga|2009-10]]

====Cup====
* '''[[DFB-Pokal]]'''
** '''Winners:''' [[2021–22 DFB-Pokal|2021–22]], [[2022–23 DFB-Pokal|2022–23]]
** ''Runners-up:'' [[2018–19 DFB-Pokal|2018–19]], [[2020–21 DFB-Pokal|2020–21]]
* '''[[DFL-Supercup]]'''
** '''Winners:''' [[2023 DFL-Supercup|2023]]
** ''Runners-up:'' [[2022 DFL-Supercup|2022]]
* '''[[Saxony Cup]]'''
** '''Winners:''' 2010–11, 2012–13

==Affiliated clubs==
The following clubs are currently affiliated with RB Leipzig:
*{{Flagicon|AUT}} [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]] (2009–present){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[New York Red Bulls]] (2009–present){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{Flagicon|BRA}} [[Red Bull Brasil]] (2009–present){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{Flagicon|BRA}} [[Red Bull Bragantino]] (2020–present){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{Flagicon|IND}} [[FC Goa|Goa]] (2020–present)<ref>{{Cite web|title=FC Goa and RB Leipzig's 'strategic partnership': All you need to know|url=https://www.espn.in/football/fc-goa/story/4232675/fc-goa-and-rb-leipzig-strategic-partnership-all-you-need-to-know|first=Anirudh|last=Menon|website=espn.in|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=12 November 2020|access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|JAP}} [[RB Omiya Ardija|Omiya Ardija]] (2024–present){{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
The following clubs were affiliated with RB Leipzig in the past:
*{{Flagicon|GER}} [[SSV Markranstädt]] (2009–2010){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{Flagicon|GHA}} [[Red Bull Ghana]] (2009–2014){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
*{{Flagicon|GER}} ESV Delitzsch (2010–2011){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==Criticism==
The establishment of RB Leipzig has led to much criticism in Germany, particularly regarding the involvement of Red Bull GmbH and its restrictive membership policy. This has been seen by German football fans as contrary to common practice in the country, where clubs have traditionally relied on voluntary registered associations, with sometimes a very large number of members, and where the 50 + 1 rule has ensured that club members have a formal controlling stake.<ref name="Guardian1"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 May 2016 |title=Red Bull gives you wingers |url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21698690-bundesliga-east-west-tension-very-much-alive-red-bull-gives-you-wingers |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |location=London |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> RB Leipzig has received criticism relating to perceptions that it was founded as a [[marketing tool]] and that it increased the commercialization of football in Germany.<ref name="DorfvereinFlügel"/><ref name="Guardian1"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Biermann |first=Christoph |date=27 April 2012 |title=Die Dose der Pandora |url=http://www.11freunde.de/artikel/wie-gefaehrlich-ist-rb-leipzig |language=de |newspaper=[[11 Freunde]] |location=Berlin |publisher=11FREUNDE Verlag GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Eskaliert">{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=9 March 2015 |title=Protest gegen RB Leipzig und seine Fans eskaliert |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article138219197/Protest-gegen-RB-Leipzig-und-seine-Fans-eskaliert.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Wutfans">{{cite news |last=Horeni |first=Michael |date=16 March 2015 |title=Wutfans in der Bundesliga: Der Kampf der Kurven gegen RB Leipzig |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/wutfans-gegen-rb-leipzig-der-kampf-der-kurven-13483558.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="SpültMillionen">{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=6 August 2015 |title=Wirtschaftsfaktor Red Bull RB Leipzig spült Millionen in Leipzigs Kassen |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/wirtschaftsfaktor-red-bull-rb-leipzig-spuelt-millionen-in-leipzigs-kassen--22644604 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> The club has been rejected as a "marketing club", a "commercial club" or a "plastic club".<ref name="Money">{{cite news |last=Homewood |first=Brian |date=4 December 2014 |title=Soccer-More to RB Leipzig than just money, says Rangnick |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-germany-leipzig-idUKL3N0TO4ED20141204 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808113038/http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-germany-leipzig-idUKL3N0TO4ED20141204 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2016 |work=[[Reuters]] |location=London |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> This criticism has been widespread, and includes people in the management and among coaches and supporters of other clubs.

Supporters of other Leipzig football clubs, such as [[1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig|Lokomotive Leipzig]] and Sachsen Leipzig, protested against the creation of RB Leipzig. They feared a decline of traditional fan culture in Leipzig, and a commercialization of football in the region. After the partnership with [[SSV Markranstädt]] became known, protests immediately appeared in Leipzig suburbs. [[Red Bull]] advertising boards at the Stadion am Bad in [[Markranstädt]] were smeared with graffiti and a weed killer placed on the pitch to purposely ruin it.<ref name="OperationBundesliga"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/id_19285472/rb-leipzig-im-stadion-am-bad-beginnt-die-zukunft.html |title=RB Leipzig: Im Stadion am Bad beginnt die Zukunft |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 July 2009 |website=t-online.de |location=Darmstadt |publisher=Digital Media Products GmbH |language=de |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> Protests in Leipzig were generally non-violent.<ref name="Independent1"/> Despite RB Leipzig playing its inaugural season in 2009–10 in the same league as Lokomotive Leipzig and Sachsen Leipzig, criticism from these clubs was moderate. Lokomotive Leipzig chairman Steffen Kubald, nevertheless, said that the match against RB Leipzig would for each team be the match of the season, and referred to RB Leipzig as the "[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] of the Oberliga" (fifth tier of German football).<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 June 2009 |title=Perfekt! Lizenz für RB Leipzig |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/erhaelt-lizenz-8689682.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Knoblach |first=Jochen |date=4 August 2009 |title=Geld schießt keine Tore. Oder doch? Die Firma Red Bull kauft sich bei einer sächsischen Oberligamannschaft ein – und die Konkurrenz ist sauer Zwischen Liebe und Zorn |url=http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/geld-schiesst-keine-tore--oder-doch--die-firma-red-bull-kauft-sich-bei-einer-saechsischen-oberligamannschaft-ein---und-die-konkurrenz-ist-sauer-zwischen-liebe-und-zorn-15191210 |language=de |newspaper=[[Berliner Zeitung]] |location=Berlin |publisher=Berliner Verlag GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810035712/http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/geld-schiesst-keine-tore--oder-doch--die-firma-red-bull-kauft-sich-bei-einer-saechsischen-oberligamannschaft-ein---und-die-konkurrenz-ist-sauer-zwischen-liebe-und-zorn-15191210 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The German economist Dr. Tobias Kollman said in 2009 that he saw Red Bull GmbH as a company with clear economic goals for its projects. Consequently, he described RB Leipzig as a "marketing club" and said that it was the first of this kind in Germany. He described the activities of Red Bull GmbH in Leipzig as a "sports political earthquake" in Germany.<ref name="WirtschaftsExperte"/> [[Borussia Dortmund]] chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke and [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] chairman Heribet Bruchhagen, speaking in 2013 of a "clash of culture", warned that clubs backed by major companies or financially strong patrons could pose a threat to the entire Bundesliga. They said that such clubs would set traditional clubs backwards, and warned that RB Leipzig would be responsible for pushing a traditional club out of the Bundesliga.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=19 February 2013 |title=BVB-Geschäftsführer Watzke lästert über Werksklubs |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/borussia-dortmund/article113746393/BVB-Geschaeftsfuehrer-Watzke-laestert-ueber-Werksklubs.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Guido |first=Kirchner |date=19 February 2016 |title=Fußball-Traditionsclubs wittern Gefahr von RB Leipzig – Watzke: "Da kollabiert das System" |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/Fussball-Traditionsclubs-wittern-Gefahr-von-RB-Leipzig-Watzke-Da-kollabiert-das-System |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=1 June 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012918/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/Regionalsport/Fussball-Traditionsclubs-wittern-Gefahr-von-RB-Leipzig-Watzke-Da-kollabiert-das-System |url-status=dead}}</ref> Hans-Joachim Watzke, speaking in 2014, characterized RB Leipzig's activities and the way it behaved as "morally questionable", referring to its transfer policy in close cooperation with FC Red Bull Salzburg, using its signing of Marcel Sabitzer as an example.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nehmer |first=Marco |date=30 July 2014 |title=Hans-Joachim Watzke kritisiert RB Leipzig: "Moralisch fragwürdig" |url=http://www.goal.com/de/news/827/bundesliga/2014/07/30/4992640/hans-joachim-watzke-kritisiert-rb-leipzig-moralisch |language=de |newspaper=Goal (website) |location=Munich |publisher=PERFORM Media Deutschland GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 July 2014 |title=BVB-Boss Watzke kritisiert Red Bull: "Moralisch fragwürdig" |url=http://sportbild.bild.de/bundesliga/vereine/bundesliga/watzke-kuendigt-konsequenzen-fuer-rb-leipzig-an-37032360.sport.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> Hans-Joachim Watzke  said he was not an opponent of RB Leipzig, that appreciated the idea of a Bundesliga club from Saxony, and that the club was welcome for as long as the [[German Football Association|German Football Association (DFB)]] ensured that RB Leipzig complied with the "democratic rules of football" and the club finances its own operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/1408/News/hans-joachim-watzke-rasenballsport-leipzig-ist-herzlich-willkommen-borussia-dortmund.html |title=Watzke: "Leipzig herzlich willkommen" |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 August 2014 |website=spox.com |publisher=Perform Media Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> A fiercer critic, [[Peter Neururer]], head coach of [[VfL Bochum]], said in 2014 that RB Leipzig "made him sick" and that he considered the club to be built on purely economical interests. He further stated that competing with RB Leipzig was not a fair deal, because the club could sign the players it wanted, and that such competition "had nothing to do with the sport that we love".<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 September 2014 |title=Peter Neururer findet RB Leipzig 'zum Kotzen' |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article132096277/Peter-Neururer-findet-RB-Leipzig-zum-Kotzen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 September 2014 |title=Trainer Peter Neururer vom VfL Bochum ätzt gegen RB Leipzig: "Was die machen, ist zum Kotzen" |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/peter-neururer/attackiert-rb-leipzig-37608902.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref>

Supporter groups from across Germany have protested against RB Leipzig and Red Bull GmbH.<ref name="KeinEinschreiten">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 October 2014 |title=Kein Einschreiten bei Anti-RB-Leipzig-Protesten |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/dfb-wird-bei-anti-rb-leipzig-protesten-nicht-einschreiten-13210002.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="SprengtAlleGrenzen">{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=16 March 2015 |title=Der Hass auf RB Leipzig sprengt alle Grenzen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article138444832/Der-Hass-auf-RB-Leipzig-sprengt-alle-Grenzen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> Supporters of traditional clubs have seen RB Leipzig as a symbol of defeat for tradition and victory for money, and have rejected RB Leipzig as a "plastic club". They have protested against the commercialization of football, Red Bull GmbH's involvement and the allegedly undemocratic structures at RB Leipzig.<ref name="Eskaliert"/><ref name="Wutfans"/><ref name="SpültMillionen"/><ref name="Money"/>

After RB Leipzig gained promotion to 2. Bundesliga in 2014, supporter groups from ten clubs in the 2. Bundesliga created a campaign against the club, called "Nein zu RB" ("No to RB").<ref name="LeipzigsKassen"/><ref name="Wutfans"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=4 August 2014 |title=Bundesweite Kampagne gegen RB Leipzig gestartet |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Bundesweite-Kampagne-gegen-RB-Leipzig-gestartet&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=7511 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ruf |first=Christoph |date=22 August 2014 |title=Zweitligist Leipzig: Überdosis Red Bull |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga-fans-schliessen-sich-gegen-rb-leipzig-zusammen-a-987403.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=16 September 2015 |title="Nein zu RB" Fanbündnis ruft zu Protesten gegen RB Leipzig auf |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport/fussball/-nein-zu-rb--fanbuendnis-ruft-zu-protesten-gegen-rb-leipzig-auf-22787448 |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> Since then, numerous groups across Germany have joined the campaign. In March 2015, the campaign web page indicated a number of 182 supporter groups from 29 clubs.<ref name="SprengtAlleGrenzen"/>

RB Leipzig has also seen protests against it at away matches. During the away match against [[1. FC Union Berlin|Union Berlin]] on 21 September 2014, the home supporters symbolically wore black plastic ponchos and were silent for the first 15 minutes of the match. A large banner displayed by home supporters said: "In Leipzig, the football culture is dying". Another banner displayed said: "Football needs workers' participation, loyalty, standing terraces, emotion, financial fair play, tradition, transparency, passion, history, independence".<ref>{{cite news |last=Uersfeld |first=Stephan |date=22 September 2014 |title=Union-Protest gegen RB Leipzig: Ganz in Schwarz gegen den Brausekommerz |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga-union-berlin-schlaegt-red-bull-leipzig-nach-fanprotest-a-992916.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Olttermann |first=Philip |date=22 September 2014 |title=RB Leipzig met with 15 minutes' silence from 20,000 Union Berlin fans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/sep/22/rb-leipzig-germany-red-bull-fans |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bundesligafanatic.com/screaming-in-their-silence-union-berlin-fans-deliver-strong-protest-against-rb-leipzig/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930193518/http://bundesligafanatic.com/screaming-in-their-silence-union-berlin-fans-deliver-strong-protest-against-rb-leipzig/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 September 2014 |title=Screaming in their silence: Union Berlin fans deliver strong protest against RB Leipzig |last=Speight |first=Janek |date=24 September 2014 |website=bundesligafanatic.com |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> The producers of Union's matchday program devised a more humorous protest for RB Leipzig's August 2015 visit, replacing the page that would normally be dedicated to the visiting team with an article on the history of bull farming.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/au/bundesliga/video/leipzig-set-for-special-welcome-from-old-foe-/1267690 |title=Leipzig set for special welcome from old foe Union |last=Saab |first=Basil |work=BEIN Sports |date=16 August 2019 |access-date=15 July 2021 }}</ref> At an away match against FC Erzgebirge Aue on 6 February 2015, the home supporters displayed banners which compared [[Dietrich Mateschitz]] to [[Adolf Hitler]], and supporters of RB Leipzig to blind [[Nazi Party|Nazi]] followers.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 June 2015 |title=Nazi-Skandal bei Heimsieg von Erzgebirge Aue gegen RB Leipzig: Aue entschuldigt sich bei Red-Bull-Boss |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/fc-erzgebirge-aue/entschuldigt-sich-bei-rb-boss-39671342.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=16 February 2015 |title=Nazi-Plakat: Erzgebirge Aue verhängt Stadionverbote |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/nazi-plakat-gegen-rb-leipzig-aue-verhaengt-stadionverbote-a-1018744.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> FC Erzgebirge Aue was later fined 35,000 euros by the DFB for the banners.<ref name="Hasstiraden">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 May 2016 |title=Diese üblen Hasstiraden musste RB Leipzig ertragen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article155172263/Diese-ueblen-Hasstiraden-musste-RB-Leipzig-ertragen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> At an away match against [[1. FC Heidenheim]] on 18 September 2015, the player bus was approached upon the arrival at the stadium by supporters of 1. FC Heidenheim who pelted the bus with hundreds of counterfeit dollar bills printed with a [[caricature]] of Dietrich Mateschitz depicted with a large [[Aquiline nose|hooked nose]] and the text "Scheiß Red Bull" ("Shitty Red Bull") and "In [[Capitalism]] he trusts".<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=18 September 2015 |title=Sch... Red Bull!" RB-Bus mit Dollar-Blüten "verziert |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/rb-bus-mit-dollar-blueten-beworfen-42634328.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schäfer |first=Guido |date=21 September 2016 |title=Vorfälle in Heidenheim – Dollar-Scheine am Bus von RB Leipzig ein Fall für den Staatsanwalt |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Dollar-Scheine-am-Bus-von-RB-Leipzig-ein-Fall-fuer-den-Staatsanwalt |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012932/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/News/Dollar-Scheine-am-Bus-von-RB-Leipzig-ein-Fall-fuer-den-Staatsanwalt |url-status=dead}}</ref> The action later led to a police investigation, for a possibly dangerous interference with traffic safety and for the imprint.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 September 2015 |title=Geldscheinwerfer in Heidenheim – Polizei ermittelt |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article146642201/Geldscheinwerfer-in-Heidenheim-Polizei-ermittelt.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

During the home match against [[FC Hansa Rostock|Hansa Rostock]] on 23 November 2013, the away supporters protested by being entirely absent for the first seven minutes of the match and then filled the guest block in large numbers.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=23 November 2013 |title=Plat bringt Hansa-Sieg im Ostduell |url=https://www.kicker.de/leipzig-gegen-rostock-2013-liga-1897256/analyse |newspaper=Kicker Online |location=Nuremberg |publisher=Olympia Verlag GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Fritsch |first=Oliver |date=27 April 2014 |title=Der neue Osten besiegt den alten |url=http://www.zeit.de/sport/2014-04/rb-leipzig-hansa-rostock-ostfussball |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> A similar protest was also carried out during the home match against 1. FC Union Berlin on 19 February 2016.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=19 February 2016 |title=Kampf der Kulturen bei RB Leipzig gegen Union Berlin |url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/kampf-der-kulturen-bei-rb-leipzig-gegen-union-berlin-aid-1.5777221 |newspaper=RP Online |publisher=RP Digital GmbH |location=Düsseldorf |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Other supporter groups in Germany have refused entirely to travel to away matches at the Red Bull Arena.<ref name="Eskaliert"/><ref name="KeinEinschreiten"/>

On some occasions, protests have involved violence and threats.<ref name="FußballschuleAbgesagt">{{cite news |last1=Lehmann |first1=Susann |first2=Katrin |last2=Löwe |date=4 March 2015 |title=RB Fußballschule in Halle nach Drohungen abgesagt |url=http://www.mz-web.de/sport-halle-saalekreis/sg-motor-halle-rb-fussballschule-in-halle-nach-drohungen-abgesagt,20642614,30031164.html |language=de |newspaper=Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |location=Halle |publisher=Mediengruppe Mitteldeutsche Zeitung GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Eskaliert"/><ref name="SprengtAlleGrenzen"/><ref name="Hasstiraden"/><ref name="SternAttackierenHotel">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 March 2015 |title=Fans attackieren Team von RB Leipzig im Hotel |url=http://www.stern.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig--rangnick-wehrt-sich-nach-fan-attacken----geht-nicht--5938192.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Stern (magazine)|Stern]] |location=Hamburg |publisher=stern.de GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> RB Leipzig had to cancel three friendly matches in July 2009 for security reasons.{{vague|date=January 2024}}<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 July 2009 |title=Testspiele aus Sicherheitsgründen abgesagt |url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/testspiele-aus-sicherheitsgruenden-abgesagt-aid-1.1632987 |newspaper=RP Online |publisher=RP Digital GmbH |location=Düsseldorf |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> At its first league match, away against [[FC Carl Zeiss Jena|Carl Zeiss Jena II]] on 8 August 2009, riots started when the police dissolved a blockade attempting to prevent the player bus from entering the stadium. The player bus was attacked with bottles, and the police had to use pepper spray to overcome them. The team was insulted, spat at and pelted with beer cups during the warm-up, and left the stadium with a police escort after the match.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 August 2009 |title=Erstes Pflichtspiel des RB Leipzig: Jena-Hooligans greifen Spieler an |url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/jena-hooligans-greifen-spieler-an-aid-1.1632163 |newspaper=RP Online |publisher=RP Digital GmbH |location=Düsseldorf |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 August 2009 |title=Skandal in Jena! RB Leipzig mit Tod & Hass beschimpft |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/bei-jena-rb-mit-tod-und-hass-beschimpft-9315172.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Götz |first=Robert |date=11 August 2009 |title=Krawalle beim ersten Spiel von RB Leipzig: Ex-FCA-Profis schlägt Hass entgegen |url=http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/sport/fc-augsburg/Ex-FCA-Profis-schlaegt-Hass-entgegen-id6289461.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Augsburger Allgemeine|Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung]] |location=Augsburg |publisher=Presse-Druck- und Verlags-GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Flohr |first1=Sven |last2=Wallrodt |first2=Lars |date=11 August 2009 |title=Hooligan-Allianz gegen Fünftligist RB Leipzig |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article4300522/Hooligan-Allianz-gegen-Fuenftligist-RB-Leipzig.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> At an away match against [[Hallescher FC]] on 19 July 2013, the player bus was again a target. Riots then started after the match, when home supporters tried to break through a security perimeter to approach away supporters. Firecrackers and other objects were thrown at the police, and four police officers were slightly injured in the turmoil.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 July 2013 |title=HFC-Fans verletzen Polizisten |url=http://www.reviersport.de/239976---randale-halle-fans-greifen-rb-fans-polizisten.html |language=de |newspaper=RevierSport |location=Essen |publisher=RevierSport online GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 July 2013 |title=Randale beim Drittliga-Auftakt: HFC-Fans attackieren Polizisten und Bus von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Randale-beim-Drittliga-Auftakt-HFC-Fans-attackieren-Polizisten-und-Bus-von-RB-Leipzig |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=14 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714164227/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Randale-beim-Drittliga-Auftakt-HFC-Fans-attackieren-Polizisten-und-Bus-von-RB-Leipzig |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 July 2013 |title=Halle-Chaoten greifen RB-Mannschaftsbus an |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/stadiongewalt/rb-leipzig-randale-nach-halle-spiel-31419400.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Before an away match against [[Karlsruher SC]] on 9 March 2015, several supporters of RB Leipzig received letters, indirectly threatening them with violence if supported the team in [[Karlsruhe]]. The night before that game, local hooligans entered the player hotel's lobby in Karlsruhe.<ref name="SprengtAlleGrenzen"/><ref name="SternAttackierenHotel"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 March 2015 |title=Karlsruhe: KSC-Fans hetzen gegen RB Leipzig |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/zweite-liga-ksc-fans-hetzen-gegen-rb-leipzig-a-1022650.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Spiegel |publisher=SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

Several football clubs, such as [[VfB Stuttgart]], [[1. FC Nürnberg]], [[TSV 1860 Munich|1860 Munich]], Union Berlin, FC Erzgebirge Aue, [[Kickers Offenbach]], [[Chemnitzer FC]] and [[KSV Hessen Kassel]], have cancelled friendly matches against RB Leipzig, due to protests from their own supporters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/regionalliga/1103/Artikel/traditionsvereine-boykottieren-mateschitz-klub-fanproteste-rb-leipzig-findet-keinen-gegner.html |title=Fanproteste: RB Leipzig findet keinen Gegner |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=23 March 2011 |website=spox.com |publisher=Perform Media Deutschland GmbH |language=de |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 September 2012 |title=Nach gegnerischen Fanprotesten: Kickers Offenbach sagt Testspiel gegen RB Leipzig ab |url=http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Nach-gegnerischen-Fanprotesten-Kickers-Offenbach-sagt-Testspiel-gegen-RB-Leipzig-ab |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012844/http://www.lvz.de/Sport/RB-Leipzig/RB-Archiv/Nach-gegnerischen-Fanprotesten-Kickers-Offenbach-sagt-Testspiel-gegen-RB-Leipzig-ab |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1 June 2012 |title=Update: Kein Testspiel gegen RB Leipzig |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=Update-Kein-Testspiel-gegen-RB-Leipzig&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=5215 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=Brühl |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=11 June 2014 |title=VfB Stuttgart sagt nach Fan-Protesten Testspiel gegen RB Leipzig ab |url=http://www.focus.de/regional/stuttgart/fussball-vfb-stuttgart-sagt-nach-fan-protesten-testspiel-gegen-rb-leipzig-ab_id_3913356.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

Critics among RB Leipzig's supporters include the supporter group Rasenballisten, which describes itself as uniting critical supporters. According to what the group members have stated, the identity of a club cannot solely rely on its main sponsor; the group has criticized Red Bull GmbH for dominating how the club is represented externally. The group prefers to place emphasis on the  ''RasenBallsport'' part of the club's name, as well as the Leipzig identity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.turus.net/sport/7336-rb-leipzigs-aufstieg-in-lotte-gedanken-ueber-tradition-und-kommerz.html |title=RB Leipzigs Aufstieg in Lotte: Gedanken über Tradition und Kommerz |last=Kohlhuber |first=Sören |date=5 June 2013 |website=turus.net |location=Hamburg |publisher=Ströer Digital Media GmbH |language=de |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

Representatives of Red Bull GmbH and RB Leipzig have commented in response to criticism. Sporting director Ralf Rangnick referred to the presence of sponsors and investors at other clubs. He rhetorically asked what the difference was between [[Audi AG|Audi]]'s and [[Adidas AG|Adidas]]'s involvement at Bayern Munich, and the commitment of Red Bull GmbH at RB Leipzig. He admitted, though, that there ''was'' a difference: Bayern Munich first had sporting success, and then sponsors and investors showed their interest. However, he claimed that [[VfL Wolfsburg]] and [[Bayer Leverkusen]] were similar to RB Leipzig, and that VfL Wolfsburg became German champions in 2009, to a large extent due to the financial support from [[Volkswagen AG|Volkswagen]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Wöckener |first=Lutz |date=4 June 2013 |title=Ralf Rangnick: So soll der Fußball von Red Bull aussehen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article116831557/So-soll-der-Fussball-von-Red-Bull-aussehen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz said in 2009 that the sports commitment of Red Bull GmbH was ''indeed'' different from the sports commitments of other companies. According to the Red Bull co-founder, when the company is involved in sports, that company is directly involved in the sports operations.<ref name="IchWillBundesliga">{{cite news |last=Psotta |first=Kai |date=24 June 2014 |title=Dietrich Mateschitz: Ich will in die Bundesliga |url=http://sportbild.bild.de/fussball/2009/ich-will-in-die-bundesliga-10166006.sport.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Red Bull co-founder Mateschitz also explained in 2007 that when the company is involved in sports, it is integrated and takes responsibility for the sports performance, and wants to build the identity of the brand and the sport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flohr |first1=Sven |last2=Dunkr |first2=Robet |date=29 April 2007 |title=Red-Bull-Chef will deutschem Klub Flügel verleihen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article839837/Red-Bull-Chef-will-deutschem-Klub-Fluegel-verleihen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016 |quote='Wo wir uns sportlich engagieren, sind wir integriert, übernehmen die Verantwortung für die sportliche Leistung und wollen die Identität von Marke und Sport schaffen.'}}</ref> RB Leipzig club CEO Ulrich Wolter, speaking in 2013, charcaterized Dietrich Mateschitz as not an [[Russian oligarch|oligarch]] or a [[Sheikh]] who buys a toy club, but as a man interested in success with a long-term sustainable contribution to youth and professional football.<ref name="Respektieren">{{cite news |last=Schranner |first=Susanne |date=8 May 2013 |title=RB-Leipzig-Chef Ulrich Wolter: Man sollte unseren Weg respektieren |url=http://www.goal.com/de/news/428/deutschland/2013/05/08/3964171/rb-leipzig-chef-ulrich-wolter-man-sollte-unseren-weg |language=de |newspaper=Goal (website) |location=Munich |publisher=PERFORM Media Deutschland GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> RB Leipzig club CEO Ulrich Wolter, speaking in 2013 about the club's profile, said it was normal for a sponsor to want to make its brand known.<ref>{{cite news |last=Giannakoulis |first=Stefan |date=2 August 2013 |title="Natürlich wollen wir Deutscher Meister werden" – RB Leipzig erobert den Profifußball |url=http://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/RB-Leipzig-erobert-den-Profifussball-article11100716.html |language=de |newspaper=n-tv |location=Cologne |publisher=n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

It has been suggested that the restrictive membership policy was implemented in order to prevent the club from being taken over by hostile supporters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kraske |first=Michael |date=26 November 2009 |title=Ösi-Millionen für den Aufbau Ost |url=http://www.zeit.de/2009/49/A-Redbull |language=de |newspaper=Die Zeit |location=Hamburg |publisher=Zeit Online GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> RB Leipzig club CEO Ulrich Wolter, speaking in 2013 on his club's restrictive membership policy, said RB Leipzig prioritised its investors, ensuring the greatest possible legal certainty for them. He also said that conditions that had prevailed at some other clubs{{vague|date=January 2024}} had been negative for development.<ref>{{cite news |last=Germann |first=Carsen |date=27 July 2013 |title=RB-Geschäftsführer im Interview: "Wir sind keine Gefahr für den Fußball" |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/sport/fussball/rb-geschaeftsfuehrer-im-interview-wir-sind-keine-gefahr-fuer-den-fussball/8546478.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Handelsblatt]] |location=Düsseldorf |publisher=Handelsblatt GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810210714/http://www.handelsblatt.com/sport/fussball/rb-geschaeftsfuehrer-im-interview-wir-sind-keine-gefahr-fuer-den-fussball/8546478.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Blogger Matthias Kiessling, who covered RB Leipzig continually from 2010 onwards,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 August 2014 |title=RB-Blogger: "Auch 1860 hat doch einen Investor" |url=http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/red-bull-leipzig-tz-interview-blogger-matthias-kiessling-tz-3760763.html |language=de |newspaper=tz |location=Munich |publisher=Zeitungsverlag tz München GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024062834/https://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/red-bull-leipzig-tz-interview-blogger-matthias-kiessling-tz-3760763.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> commented on RB Leipzig's restrictive membership policy in 2013, saying that the membership system of other clubs existed ''pro forma'', and that participation was then happening through other outlets, such as social media.<ref name="Guardian1"/> RB Leipzig and club supporters have since the club's founding successively developed procedures to enable participation and dialogue.{{vague|date=January 2024}} The club entered a cooperation agreement with the supporter organization ''Fanprojekt Leipzig'' in 2013,{{relevant|date=January 2024|reason=has this not already been covered in 4 very long paragraphs, in its very own section, above?}} and the club also has a dialogue with the fan representatives of the supporter union ''Fanverband RB Leipzig Fans''.<ref name="seine Fans"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 September 2014 |title=Fanvertreter statt stimmberechtigte Mitglieder |url=http://www.faszination-fankurve.de/index.php?head=%E2%80%8BFanvertreter-statt-stimmberechtigte-Mitglieder&folder=sites&site=news_detail&news_id=7879 |language=de |newspaper=Faszination Fankurve |location=[[Brühl (Rhineland)|Brühl]] |publisher=Faszination Fankurve, Sole trader: Johannes Mäling |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Abramovich Chukotka (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Roman Abramovich]], the Russian oligarch, seen here in 2021, has been repeatedly referenced by both critics of RB Leipzig and by people associated with the club, such as [[Red Bull GmbH]] co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz and RB Leipzig club CEO Ulrich Wolter.]]

Both Dietrich Mateschitz and sporting director Ralf Rangnick have made comments on transfer policy. Dietrich Mateschitz commented on the football commitment of Red Bull GmbH in 2007, and said that the company was "not good stars buyers".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flohr |first1=Sven |last2=Dunkr |first2=Robet |date=29 April 2007 |title=Red-Bull-Chef will deutschem Klub Flügel verleihen |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article839837/Red-Bull-Chef-will-deutschem-Klub-Fluegel-verleihen.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016 |quote=Nein. Erstens sind wir keine guten Stareinkäufer – auch wenn man uns gerne ein Dagobert-Duck-Syndrom anhängt – sondern wollen für den Unterbau selbst sorgen.}}</ref> In an interview with Austrian sports website Sportnet in 2010 he said: "I am not [[Roman Abramovich|Abramovich]]. What we do, we try to do with our brain. Nothing is easier than to take a bag full of money and go shopping. That is stupid, stupid we are not".<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=23 July 2010 |title=Mateschitz degradiert RB Salzburg |url=http://sportnet.at/home/fussball/bundesliga/1358444/Mateschitz-degradiert-RB-Salzburg |language=de |newspaper=Sportnet |location=Wien |publisher=[[Styria Media Group|Styria Medienhaus Sport GmbH & Co KG]] |access-date=12 June 2016 |quote=Ich bin nicht Abramowitsch. Was wir machen, versuchen wir mit Hirn zu machen. Nichts ist einfacher, als einen Sack voll Geld zu nehmen und shoppen zu gehen. Das ist dumm, dumm sind wir nicht.}}</ref> In an interview with German newspaper ''[[Leipziger Volkszeitung]]'' in 2013 he further said: "It is not about a race, to arrive as soon as possible in the Bundesliga with as many mercenaries as possible, but about healthy development and healthy growth. And that with as many own players as possible".{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=as many players purchased as possible? as many as possible players of our own (from the Leipzig area?) that we did not have to purchase?}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Uwe |date=17 July 2013 |title=Red-Bull-Chef Dietrich Mateschitz erklärt: Den FC Bayern und RB Leipzig wird nur das Alter unterscheiden |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/dietrich-mateschitz/mateschitz-ueber-traditon-und-rb-leipzig-31377670.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016 |quote=Es geht nicht um einen Wettlauf, mit möglichst vielen Söldnern möglichst rasch in die Bundesliga zu kommen, sondern um gesunde Entwicklung}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=18 July 2013 |title=RB Leipzig vergleicht sich mit Bayern und Barcelona |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article118164825/RB-Leipzig-vergleicht-sich-mit-Bayern-und-Barcelona.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016 |quote=Es geht nicht um einen Wettlauf, mit möglichst vielen Söldnern möglichst rasch in die Bundesliga zu kommen, sondern es geht um eine gesunde Entwicklung und gesundes Wachstum. Und das mit möglichst vielen eigenen Spielern}}</ref> Sporting director Ralf Rangnick, speaking in 2013 on the club's transfer policy at that time, said that RB Leipzig was fishing in a very small pond, only signing players aged between 17 and 23 years old, and that RB Leipzig was the only club in the 2. Bundesliga that had not signed any players from another club in the league.<ref name="Money"/> Establishing a successful youth academy has also been part of the club's long-term strategy since its founding in 2009.<ref name="FußballLandschaft">{{cite news |last=Horeni |first=Michael |date=20 June 2009 |title=Versprechen einer blühenden Fußball-Landschaft |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/rasen-ball-leipzig-versprechen-einer-bluehenden-fussball-landschaft-1811273.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Dietrich Mateschitz said in 2009 that his hopes were that the majority of the professional team would in the future have come through the ranks of the club's own academy.<ref name="IchWillBundesliga"/><ref name="NextChelsea">{{cite news |last=Coerts |first=Stefan |date=7 April 2015 |title=The next Chelsea or Anzhi? Red Bull gives Leipzig wings&nbsp;– and funds&nbsp;– for race to the top |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2015/04/07/10495172/the-next-chelsea-or-anzhi-red-bull-gives-leipzig-wings-and-funds-  |newspaper=Goal (website) |location=Feltham |publisher=Perform Media Sales Ltd. |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> General manager Ulrich Wolter said in 2013 that the club wanted to build an "Eastern [[lighthouse]]", so that young players from eastern Germany would not always have to migrate to the west of their country to develop.<ref name="Respektieren"/> The youth work at RB Leipzig received much praise from the [[German Football League|German Football League (DFL)]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroemer |first=Ullrich |date=3 August 2015 |title=DFL ist begeistert vom Brauseklub – RB Leipzig setzt auf den "Rangnick-Trumpf" |url=http://www.n-tv.de/sport/fussball/RB-Leipzig-setzt-auf-den-Rangnick-Trumpf-article15642301.html |language=de |newspaper=n-tv |location=Cologne |publisher=n-tv Nachrichtenfernsehen GmbH |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

Several people have responded to the rejection of RB Leipzig as a "plastic club", which lacks tradition. Sporting director Joachim Krug, speaking in 2009, characterized RB Leipzig as "a newly founded club" with high ambitions.<ref name="DorfvereinFlügel"/> Head coach Tino Vogel said that, at some point, [[Invented tradition|every new tradition begins]].<ref name="OperationBundesliga"/> Supporters of RB Leipzig were noted for displaying banners saying "Let this tradition begin" during the first competitive matches in 2009,<ref>{{cite news |last=Spannagel |first=Lars |date=21 August 2009 |title=Red Bull Leipzig: Frisch aus der Dose |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/fussball/fussball-red-bull-leipzig-frisch-aus-der-dose/1584264.html |language=de |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |publisher=Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH |location=Berlin |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref> and manager Dieter Gudel said in 2010 that RB Leipzig could well write "Tradition since 2009" on its pennants.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=did it? 'since 2009'? in 2010?}}<ref name="ImSogdesKapitals"/> Dietrich Mateschitz, speaking in 2013, characterized the only difference between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich as one hundred years of tradition, and that in another five hundred years, RB Leipzig would be five hundred years of age and FC Bayern Munich six hundred years of age. By this, he meant that he expected that RB Leipzig would, some day, become a more traditional club than it is now.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Uwe |date=17 July 2013 |title=Red-Bull-Chef Dietrich Mateschitz erklärt: Den FC Bayern und RB Leipzig wird nur das Alter unterscheiden |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG}}</ref>

Sporting director Ralf Rangnick spoke in 2012 of advantages to working in a new club without tradition. Rangnick said structural changes and staffing decisions could be implemented{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=what does this mean?}} quickly and flexibly at RB Leipzig, because no established hierarchies would get in the way and there would be less resistance in the environment.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=what is meant here by 'in the environment'? natural environment? market environment, probably? ifthis is so, then link to the Wikipedia article on 'market environment', to help the reader.}} Rangnick also stated that he ''had seen enough examples of traditional clubs which have not made it anywhere''. He said that to him, what mattered was if there existed a working philosophy and sustainability.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ashelm |first=Michael |date=18 October 2012 |title=Ralf Rangnick im Gespräch: "Das Fernziel in Leipzig lautet Bundesliga" |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/ralf-rangnick-im-gespraech-das-fernziel-in-leipzig-lautet-bundesliga-11924816.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref> The president of the DFB [[Wolfgang Niersbach]], speaking in 2014 with reference to clubs in Leipzig, said: "If the big traditional clubs have not managed to establish a serious way back in professional football for years and decades, then nobody should complain if a different approach is taken and this also leads to success".<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 October 2014 |title=Anti-Leipzig-Proteste: Niersbach sieht keine Handhabe |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/sport/fussball-anti-leipzig-proteste-niersbach-sieht-keine-handhabe-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-141015-99-03917 |language=de |newspaper=[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]] |location=Munich |publisher=Süddeutsche Zeitung Digitale Medien GmbH |access-date=13 June 2016 |quote=Wenn es die großen Traditionsvereine über Jahre und Jahrzehnte nicht geschafft haben, sich über einen seriösen Weg wieder im Profi-Fußball zu etablieren, dann darf sich niemand beschweren, wenn dann ein anderer Weg beschritten wird und dieser auch zum Erfolg führt |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144713/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/sport/fussball-anti-leipzig-proteste-niersbach-sieht-keine-handhabe-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-141015-99-03917 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 October 2014 |title=DFB-Präsident Niersbach: Kein Einschreiten bei Anti-RB-Leipzig-Protesten |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/dfb-wird-bei-anti-rb-leipzig-protesten-nicht-einschreiten-13210002.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=13 June 2016 |quote=Wenn es die großen Traditionsvereine über Jahre und Jahrzehnte nicht geschafft haben, sich über einen seriösen Weg wieder im Profi-Fußball zu etablieren, dann darf sich niemand beschweren, wenn dann ein anderer Weg beschritten wird und dieser auch zum Erfolg führt}}</ref>

RB Leipzig has received praise too, from businesspeople and politicians. Speaking in 2009, Michael Kölmel, an entrepreneur and owner of the Zentralstadion, said multinational company Red Bull GmbH was a huge opportunity for Leipzig.<ref name="RiesigeChance"/> He also assumed that, in the end, other football clubs in Leipzig would benefit from RB Leipzig's creation. He based this on the assumption that young players would eventually stay in the area and, according to Kölmel, that the overall level of football in Leipzig would rise.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pittelkow |first1=Sebastian |last2=Schottner |first2=Dominik |date=22 July 2009 |title=Michael Kölmel über RB Leipzig: "Extrem erfolgsorientiert" |url=http://www.11freunde.de/interview/michael-koelmel-ueber-rb-leipzig |language=de |newspaper=[[11 Freunde]] |location=Berlin |publisher=11FREUNDE Verlag GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> Leipzig deputy mayor Heiko Rosenthal, speaking in 2010, said that RB Leipzig was the "best thing" that could happen to the economical development of Leipzig.<ref name="ImSogdesKapitals"/><ref name="GegendenGeist"/> He also believed the RB Leipzig project would bring attention to Leipzig, and that it would constitute an important component in the future economical representation of the city.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='constitute an important component in the future economical representation of the city' - can this be translated from politician into English? thank you.}}<ref name="SpültMillionen"/> Blogger Matthias Kiessling, who covered RB Leipzig continually from 2010 onwards,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 August 2014 |title=RB-Blogger: "Auch 1860 hat doch einen Investor" |url=http://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/red-bull-leipzig-tz-interview-blogger-matthias-kiessling-tz-3760763.html |language=de |newspaper=tz |location=Munich |publisher=Zeitungsverlag tz München GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024062834/https://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/red-bull-leipzig-tz-interview-blogger-matthias-kiessling-tz-3760763.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> suggested in 2011, two years after Red Bull Leipzig had been founded, that Red Bull GmbH had given Saxony a more permanent investment than anything else since the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]].<ref name="Guardian1"/> Leipzig mayor [[Burkhard Jung]], speaking in 2011, described Red Bull GmbH's involvement in Leipzig as an "incredible gift to the city".<ref name="Cottaweg2011"/> Dietrich Mateschitz was awarded the prize "Leipziger Lerche" in 2013 for his service to the region. Mayor Burkhard Jung described him as "honest, ambitious and serious". The prize ceremony was for the first time attended by the minister-president of Saxony, [[Stanislaw Tillich]].{{relevance inline|date=January 2024}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Decker |first=Kerstin |date=25 January 2013 |title=Wirtschafts-Preis "Leipziger Lerche" geht an Red-Bull-Gründer Dietrich Mateschitz |url=http://www.lvz.de/Leipzig/Lokales/Wirtschafts-Preis-Leipziger-Lerche-geht-an-Red-Bull-Gruender-Dietrich-Mateschitz |language=de |newspaper=Leipziger Volkszeitung |location=Leipzig |publisher=Leipziger Verlags- und Druckereigesellschaft mbH & Co. KG |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323051645/https://www.lvz.de/Leipzig/Lokales/Wirtschafts-Preis-Leipziger-Lerche-geht-an-Red-Bull-Gruender-Dietrich-Mateschitz |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The chairman of the [[Saxony Football Association|Saxony Football Association (SFV)]] [[Klaus Reichenbach]] said that he hoped Red Bull Leipzig's founding would lead to high class football, and that the region and eastern Germany might benefit.<ref name="Teufel"/> The chairman of the [[Northeastern German Football Association|Northeastern German Football Association (NOFV)]] Rainer Milkoreit, speaking in 2014, characterized the promotion of RB Leipzig to the 2. Bundesliga as a great development for eastern Germany and that the attendance boom in Leipzig showed that Red Bull Leipzig had been awaited.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga2/newspage_888665.html |title=Verwunderung über RB Leipzig |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=9 May 2014 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719025101/https://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga2/newspage_888665.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

FC Bayern Munich president [[Uli Hoeneß]], speaking in 2011, said that the model chosen by RB Leipzig could be prosperous, ''but not necessarily''. He said that what Red Bull Leipzig was capable of offering its supporters would be decisive, and, that if the model should ultimately work, it would be beneficial for football in eastern Germany.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 October 2011 |title=Hoeneß: Fan bestimmt Zukunft von RB Leipzig |url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/national-hoeness-fan-bestimmt-zukunft-von-rb-leipzig_aid_672458.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/artikel_465309.html |title=Hoeneß wünscht RB Leipzig Erfolg |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 October 2014 |website=sport1.de |publisher=Sport1 GmbH |location=Ismaning |language=de |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718150204/https://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/artikel_465309.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Uli Hoeneß congratulated RB Leipzig to its promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in 2014 and said that it was the best thing that could happen to football in Leipzig.{{relevance inline|date=January 2024|reason=one football person congratulates another on promotion? 'best thing that could happen' - it was not likely to be the worst thing? the club probably received lots of other congratulations at the time (and at other times too). should they all be included here?}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Haack |first=Melanie |date=3 June 2013 |title=Jetzt plant RB Leipzig den Bundesliga-Durchmarsch |url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article116763285/Jetzt-plant-RB-Leipzig-den-Bundesliga-Durchmarsch.html |language=de |newspaper=Die Welt |location=Berlin |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> FC Bayern Munich sporting director [[Matthias Sammer]], a native of [[Dresden]], said in 2014 that he was positive to the development of RB Leipzig,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=what is 'positive to the development of'?}} and praised the positive economical effects it had for the region. He also rejected the complaints of "traditionalists", as 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig and BSG Chemie Leipzig ever since the [[Die Wende|Wende]] have failed to join forces for the sake of local football.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 October 2014 |title=Bayern-Sportvorstand: Sammer nimmt RB Leipzig in Schutz |url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/sammer-nimmt-rb-leipzig-in-schutz-a-995184.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=14 June 2016 |quote=Ein paar Traditionalisten werden wieder rumschreien und weinen, aber das ist nicht in Ordnung. Wenn es Lok und Chemie Leipzig nach der Wende nicht geschafft haben, ihre Kraft im Interesse des Fußballs vor Ort zu bündeln – dann gibt es immer einen lachenden Dritten}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 October 2014 |title=Sammer verteidigt RB Leipzig: "Weinende Traditionalisten – das ist nicht in Ordnung" |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bundesliga/fc-bayern-sammer-verteidigt-rb-leipzig-13187568.html |language=de |newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH |access-date=14 June 2016 |quote=Ein paar Traditionalisten werden wieder rumschreien und weinen, aber das ist nicht in Ordnung. Wenn es Lok und Chemie Leipzig nach der Wende nicht geschafft haben, ihre Kraft im Interesse des Fußballs vor Ort zu bündeln – dann gibt es immer einen lachenden Dritten}}</ref> [[Franz Beckenbauer]], speaking in 2015, predicted that RB Leipzig would be dangerous to Bayern Munich in 35 years, if Red Bull GmbH intends to invest for that long a time, and that RB Leipzig was a concept with a future.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=13 June 2015 |title=Franz Beckenbauer: Wird RB Leipzig der neue FC Bayern? |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/franz-beckenbauer/wird-rb-zum-neuen-fc-bayern-41338842.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=Bild |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref>

VfL Wolfsburg manager [[Klaus Allofs]], speaking in 2016, said  that RB Leipzig was a cast of fortune for Leipzig,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=what is 'a cast of fortune'? or should it be 'cost a fortune'? that RB Leipzig would cost the city of Leipzig a fortune?}} and a good thing for the region and for German football.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=9 February 2016 |title=Wolfsburg-Manager Allofs Red-Bull-Projekt in Leipzig "ist eine gute Sache" |url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/eine-gute-sache-wolfsburg-manager-allofs-verteidigt-red-bull-projekt-in-leipzig_id_5271529.html |language=de |newspaper=FOCUS Online |location=München |publisher=FOCUS Magazin Verlag GmbH |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>

In interviews published in German newspaper ''Bild'' in 2011, representatives of several Leipzig football clubs spoke of ways they said their clubs had benefited from RB Leipzig's founding. Former Sachsen Leipzig liquidator Heiko Kratz said that, by 2009, the club was no longer able to finance its youth academy, but by selling its A to D junior teams to RB Leipzig, at least they could give the players a future.{{vague|date=January 2024|reason='at least they could give the players a future'? is there anything more specific? or what is the point of this sentence? 'the players'? what players?}} Then President of SSV Markranstädt Holger Nussbaum said the club had used Red Bull Leipzig's financial compensation to have players that it otherwise would not have, and that it was aiming to reach the Regionalliga. Ralph Zahn, then Head of department at ESV Delitzsch, said that the club had used Red Bull Leipzig's financial compensation to build an artificial turf pitch with floodlights for the cost of 250,000 euros.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Yvonne |date=1 December 2011 |title=Leipziger Klub-Chefs erzählen: Wir haben von den Bullen profitiert |url=http://www.bild.de/regional/leipzig/rb-leipzig/wir-haben-von-den-bullen-profitiert-21308648.bild.html |language=de |newspaper=[[Bild]] |location=Berlin |publisher=BILD GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>

According to a survey carried out by the ''Leipziger Volkszeitung'' in 2009, more than 70% of the residents of Leipzig welcomed Red Bull GmhH's investment in local football.<ref name="Teufel"/> The ''Leipziger Volkszeitung'' published results from a study carried out by Intelligence Research in Sponsorshop (Iris) in 2016.<ref name="ReiseRekord"/> According to the study, RB Leipzig then ranked third favourite team in Saxony and Thuringia, only surpassed by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.<ref name="ReiseRekord"/> RB Leipzig also had an increase in five out of six image values: sympathetic had increased 2.8 percent to 45.1 percent, native had increased 7.2 percent to 40.5 percent, credible had increased 4.8 percent to 43.8 percent, regionally rooted remained at 45.8 percent, ambitious had increased 3.7 percent to 77.5 percent and passionate had increased 5.8 percent to 47 percent.<ref name="ReiseRekord"/> A study carried out by the company Repucom in 2016 showed that RB Leipzig had a nationwide increase of 60 percent in press, radio and television coverage.<ref name="ReiseRekord"/> It also showed that the reports had become more "objective and complex".<ref name="ReiseRekord"/>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|en|de}}
* [https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/clubs/rb-leipzig RB Leipzig] at Bundesliga
* [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/teams/2603790--leipzig/ RB Leipzig] at [[UEFA]]
* [http://www.weltfussball.de/teams/rb-leipzig/ RB Leipzig profile] at Weltfussball.de
* [http://www.rb-fans.de/ RB Fans.de] {{in lang|de}}

{{RB Leipzig}}
{{Bundesliga}}
{{2. Bundesliga}}
{{3. Liga}}
{{Regionalliga Nordost}}
{{Red Bull}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leipzig, Rb}}
[[Category:RB Leipzig| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Germany]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Saxony]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 2009]]
[[Category:Sport in Leipzig|RB]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Bundesliga clubs]]
[[Category:2. Bundesliga clubs]]
[[Category:3. Liga clubs]]
[[Category:Football Clubs owned by Redbull]]