Founded in 1923, it is one of the most traditionally successful clubs in the country. It has played its home games since inception atAnton Malatinský Stadium, located in the very centre of the city. The club's anthem isIl Silenzio and it has been played prior to every home match since the late 1960s.[1]
Domestically, the club has won six league titles and nine cups. The most successful era came on the verge of 1960s and 1970s, when club dominated Czechoslovak football, having won theCzechoslovak First League five times in the span of six seasons. During these times, Spartak Trnava also made its name at the international level, having wonMitropa Cup in1967 and more importantly, progressing to the semi-finals ofEuropean Cup in1969 and quarter-finals in1973 and1974 (the former still standing as the record achievement in the competition for Slovak or Czech club). More recently, the club won the Slovak league title in2018, as well as Slovak cup in2019,2022,2023 and2025.
The club has a large fan base, having regularly averaged the highest attendance in Slovak football. It has a long-standing rivalry withSlovan Bratislava, with whom it contests aderby.
Spartak's colours are red, black and white. Since early days, the home kit consisted of a red-and-black striped shirt. Spartak's away kit has traditionally been completely white, giving the club its nicknamebíli andeli (the white angels in local dialect).[2]
The club was founded on 30 May 1923 by the merger of Šk Čechie and ČšŠk intoTSS Trnava. After a communist takeover it became affiliated with the metal industry and was renamed toTJ Kovosmalt ("Metal-enamel").
In 1952, the club gained its current name, but the performance in those years was very unstable, Spartak played the 2nd league and after advancing to the highest competition, they occupied mostly the lower parts of the table. A better position came only in the 1959/60 season, when Spartak took 4th place. The golden era of Spartak began in the 1966–67 season. The team of legendary coachAnton Malatinský was top of the league by the autumn, but by the end of the season had finished only in third place. Great success was achieved in theMitropa Cup. Spartak beat teams likeBudapest Honvéd,Lazio andFiorentina and in the final they defeatedÚjpest of Hungary. In the following season Spartak gained their most memorable European results. They reached the semi-final of theEuropean Cup to faceAjax. It is their greatest success to date.[3][4]
Under the management ofJán Hucko, the team also won a second championship. In 1970–71 and 1971–72, Trnava won their third and fourth championship titles under coaches Valér Švec and Anton Malatinský. The team also reached the quarter-final of theEuropean Cup in 1973 and 1974. The fifth and the last league title in 1972–73 beckoned the end of Spartak's golden era. In 1976,Karol Dobiaš was in the squad that won theUEFA Euro 1976.
Although Spartak finished 16th (and last) in thelast unified Czechoslovak league season in 1992–93, the latter half of the 1990s can be considered the renaissance of football in Trnava. During the 1995–96 season, Spartak finished third and its popularity grew. The 1996–97 season was a memorable one for the fans of Spartak,Karol Pecze almost led the team to its first Slovak league title but got beaten to it byKošice in the final week of competition. The following season, under new coachDušan Galis the team again achieved second place and then third place during the 1998–99 season which saw the end of this recovery of footballing prowess in Trnava.
In the2017–18 season, Spartak won the league title for the first time in 45 years. Under the leadership of coachNestor El Maestro, Trnava won the title three games before the end of the 2017–18 season after a 2–0 victory overDunajská Streda.[5] The title celebrations took place after the last season match againstAS Trenčín (17,113 spectators).[6] They included an autograph session, a ride on the city on an open bus, fireworks and a solemn Holy Mass in the Cathedral sv. Jána Krstiteľa.[7] These were the biggest title celebrations in the history of Slovakia. During the2018–19 season Spartak reached theUEFA Europa League group stage for the first time. They played againstGNK Dinamo Zagreb,Fenerbahçe andR.S.C. Anderlecht. They finished 3rd with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.
Despite an abysmal league campaign, Spartak managed to win the2018–19 Slovak Cup.
Thanks to defending third place and winning theSlovak Cup, secured another chance to compete for European competitions. In the qualification for theEuropean Conference League,Michal Gašparík’s team defeatedNewtown 6:2 on aggregate in the 2nd preliminary round, after winning 4:1 and 2:1.[8] In the 3rd preliminary round, they were eliminated by the Polish teamRaków Częstochowa.[9] The quest for a European autumn thus ended prematurely and the team focused on theNiké League and theSlovak Cup.[10]
Thefinal was played at theAnton Malatinský Stadium. In front of over 15,000 spectators. In the 110th minute,Jakub Paur gave Spartak the lead with a precise header.[11] The overall result and the defense of theSlovak Cup were sealed with a goal to 3:1 after a converted penalty byFilip Twardzik.[10][12]
Anton Malatinský Stadium is located in the centre of Trnava, directly behind the walls of the old town. Formerly known simply as Spartak stadium, it was renamed in 1998 in honour of the club's most successful managerAnton Malatinský.
Stadium underwent a complex reconstruction in 2013–2015. Opening ceremony of the new stadium took place on 22 August 2015. The stadium has capacity of 18,200 spectators.
The mainultras group are calledUltras Spartak. Traditionally, the club has had great support in thecity, but it is very popular in the wholeregion.
The club's official anthem isIl Silenzio. It is played prior to every home match, when the players are entering onto the pitch.
Between 1988 and 2006,Spartak ultras had a mutual friendship withBaník Ostrava fans. Good relations and friendship still persist to this day. There are also friendships withGKS Katowice andROW Rybnik.
The greatest rival isSlovan Bratislava. The rivalry has a long tradition and the derby is considered the most prestigious match in the Slovak football calendar.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.