HISTORY

THE 1910S

The first football team in Batumi, Kholodnoslobodskaya, was formed in 1911. By 1914, Batumi had about ten organized and many unorganized ("wild") teams. In the city championship, teams such as Selected, Gimnazicheskaya, Druzhba, Volnie Sokola, Araksi, Grecheskaya, Bondari, Mars, and others competed against each other.

During this same period, Batumi players held their first intercity match. The city's national team traveled to Poti and suffered a crushing 0:8 defeat. However, this lesson was not in vain - on their next visit, the Batumi team defeated Poti 1:0. In 1913, Araksi traveled to Sokhumi. This match ended in a 0-0 draw, and in the return match in Batumi, Araksi won confidently, 5-0.

A. Kouba, an ethnic Czech and physical education teacher at the Batumi Boys' Gymnasium, played a significant role in the development of sports - specifically football - in Batumi. He became the initiator of the Shevardeni society in the region.

THE 1920S

In 1921, several teams were formed in Batumi: Mezghvauri (Sailor), Tsiteli Raindi (Red Knight), and the Komsomol football collective, KSM. Two years later, the famous BDPO (Batumi Voluntary Firefighting Society) was formed, which soon became one of the strongest Georgian teams.

The BDPO squad included: brothers Andro and Sokrat Ioakimidis, G. Pachulia, G. Bauer, K. Psaros, L. Lazarev, L. Abashidze, V. Darchia, A. Bibaev, S. Karakulyan, A. Popkov, N. Anikin, K. Berman, R. Poghosov, R. Phalavandishvili, and others.

Over the years, BDPO played successfully against teams from Tbilisi, Poti, Sokhumi, and other cities. In 1924, the Batumi team played two matches against the Transcaucasian Industrial Institute (ZII) team. The guests won 1:0 in Batumi, while the Batumi team won with the same score in Tbilisi. BDPO repeatedly defeated the sailors of foreign ships. In the same year, the Kharkiv national team, which had previously won the All-Union competition, arrived in Batumi. The guests played three matches; among them, the match against Batumi ended in a 2-2 draw. The Kharkiv team played their final match against the Georgian national team, which heavily featured Batumi players. The match was attended by an unprecedentedly large audience for that era - five thousand spectators. It ended with the hosts winning 1-0.

In 1925, the Batumi national football team played two friendly matches in Turkey against the Trabzon national team. In the first match, the visitors (Batumi) won 7-1, but they lost the second match 1-2.

The Batumi national team became the winner of the first Georgian Championship in 1927. The Batumi players defeated their opponents in all three matches (Tbilisi and Poti - 2-1, Sokhumi - 3-0).

The Batumi national team's honors were defended by: L. Abashidze, L. Anikin, N. Anikin, A. Bibaev, A. Ioakimidis, V. Darchia, L. Lazarev, A. Akopov, R. Phalavandishvili, G. Pachulia, R. Poghosov, G. Psaros, A. Pochkhua, S. Ksenofontov, and A. Shioshvili.

In the 1928 Georgian Championship, the Batumi team took second place behind the Tbilisi national team.

Football gradually became popular in Adjara, and more and more young people grew interested in the game. Many promising players emerged in the teams, who would later defend the honor of the country's leading clubs. The talents of Boris Frolov, Alkiviad Pekhlevanidi, Ibragim Sarjveladze, Eduard Tuntiba, Giorgi Aroshidze, Anzor Kavazashvili, and Ilia Datunashvili blossomed at Dinamo Tbilisi.

Remiz Kamishev (later of Torpedo Moscow), Sasha Eliava, Anzor Kvachadze, Nikoloz Keshelava, Roin Kvaskhvadze, Valerian Tskhartishvili, Gari Kikava, and Igor Frolov (who played for Spartak Moscow and Lokomotiv) took their first footballing steps in Batumi.

THE 1930S

Unfortunately, in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the popularity of football in the city declined, with its revival taking place in the second half of the 1930s. In 1936, the USSR Championship among club teams was held. In the summer of that same year, the USSR Cup was played, involving 83 teams from 39 cities. Dinamo Batumi was defeated in the very first round by their Tbilisi clubmates. In 1936, the Batumi internal championship was held in two categories - Dinamo won the first, and Burevestnik won the second.

In 1938, the team won the Georgian Championship title for the second time. That same year, Dinamo won the newly established Constitution Cup. Batumi players won three titles in a single season - on December 12, 1938, they defeated their Sokhumi clubmates 5:2. Another notable event occurred in 1938: with the initiative and help of enthusiasts, the construction of a standard-sized football field began in Batumi.

In 1939, by the decision of the All-Union Football Federation, Dinamo Batumi players were included in the USSR Championship Class B competition. With 23 points, the team took 13th place, while in the internal championship, Dinamo finished 5th.

THE 1940S

In 1940, to win the title of the best team, the Batumi club defeated their Tbilisi clubmates 3-1 and won the national championship for the third time. In the same year, Dinamo players were knocked out of the USSR Cup in the Round of 16.

Despite World War II, the Georgian Championship was still held in 1943, where Dinamo managed only 6th place.

In 1945, the team took 3rd place in the Georgian Championship, and in 1946 - 2nd. The year 1947 was particularly successful: Batumi won the Georgian Cup and again settled for 3rd place in the championship. In 1948, the team once again finished in 3rd place.

THE 1960S

In 1960, the team took 7th place in the first zone of the Union Republics (Class B). In 1961, they finished 6th in the same zone, and in 1962, they took 7th place in the second zone.

1963 was a successful year: the team took first place in the first zone of the Union Republics (Class B). However, in the play-off match for promotion to Class A of the USSR Championship, the Dinamo players lost a two-legged tie (1-0 and 1-5) to the winner of the second zone, Lokomotiv Tbilisi.

In 1964, the team again took first place in the fourth zone of the Union Republics (Class B). Dinamo was unlucky this time too, finishing fourth in the Class A promotion tournament held among the winners of the five zones. That same year, Batumi played an international match and defeated the Iranian club Shahin 5-0.

In 1965, Dinamo settled for 10th place in the first zone of the Union Republics (Class B). In 1966, they took 9th place in the second group (first subgroup) of Class A of the USSR Championship. Also in 1966, the team lost the final of the Tbilisi International Winter Tournament in a penalty shootout to Lokomotiv Tbilisi. Earlier in the group stage, they had defeated Zenit Leningrad and Tatran from Czechoslovakia.

In 1967, the team finished 18th in the second group of Class A (first subgroup). In 1968, they took 7th place in the third subgroup of the same class, and B. Giorgadze became the team's top scorer with 13 goals. The same year, an international match was held against the Finnish club Upon Pallo, ending in a 1-1 draw. In 1969, the team once again took 7th place in the second group of Class A (fourth subgroup).

THE 1970S

In 1970, Dinamo finished 10th in the second group of Class A (second zone). In 1971, they improved their result in the fourth zone, taking 4th place, and in 1972, they settled for 5th place in the third zone.

In 1973, the team took 11th place in the fourth zone of the Second League of Class A. That year, Batumi played an international match against the Vietnam youth national team, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

In 1974, the team took 2nd place in the third zone of the Second League of Class A, and in 1975, 12th place in the first zone. In 1976, they finished 6th in the third zone. The same year, an international match against the Afghanistan national team took place, ending in a convincing 4:0 victory for Dinamo.

At the end of the decade, the team's results worsened somewhat: in the fourth zone of the Second League of Class A, they took 9th place in 1977, 13th place in 1978, and 15th place in 1979.

THE 1980S

In 1980, the team took 10th place in the Second League of Class A (eleventh zone). In 1981, they shared 9th-16th places in the same zone, and in 1982, they finished in 10th place again.

1983 was a successful year: they took first place in the eleventh zone of the Second League of Class A, though they settled for third place in the final stage.

In 1984, 1985 (Group A), and 1986, Dinamo consistently held 11th place in the First League of Class A.

From 1987, results declined: the team finished 19th in the First League of Class A, 16th in 1988, and concluded the 1989 First League competition in 18th place.

THE 1990S

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Dinamo Batumi participated in the first Georgian National Championship in 1990, where they took 6th place and reached the semi-finals of the Cup. In 1991, the team took 5th place; in the 1991-1992 season, 9th; and in 1992-1993, 11th place. In that same season, the Batumi team reached the final of the Georgian Cup, where they lost to Dinamo Tbilisi 2-4. In the 1993-1994 season, the team finished 5th and again reached the Cup semi-finals. In 1994-1995, Batumi took 4th place but again lost the Cup final to Dinamo Tbilisi (0-1).

In the 1995-1996 season, the team took 6th place in the National Championship. In the Georgian Cup final, Batumi lost to Dinamo Tbilisi in extra time (0-1), and in the Super Cup match, they lost to the same opponent 0:4.

In the same season, Dinamo Batumi played their debut matches in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In the qualifying round, Batumi defeated the Yugoslav side Obilić: we won 1-0 away with a goal by Paata Matchutadze, and on August 24, in Batumi, in front of 25,000 spectators, we played a 2-2 draw (goals: P. Matchutadze, A. Mujiri).

In the Round of 32, Dinamo Batumi met Glasgow Celtic. On September 14, the dramatic match held in Batumi ended with a 3-2 victory for the Scots (goals for Dinamo were scored by P. Matchutadze and T. Tughushi), while in the return leg held in Glasgow at Parkhead Stadium in front of 31,969 spectators, Celtic won 4-0.

In the 1996-1997 season, Dinamo Batumi won bronze medals (3rd place) in the National Championship, although they again lost the Cup final (0-1) and Super Cup (1-4) to Dinamo Tbilisi. In the Cup Winners' Cup, Batumi crushed HB Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands in the first round - 6-0 at home (a hat-trick by T. Tughushi, a brace by D. Ujmajuridze, and an own goal) and 3-0 away (a brace by A. Ghlonti, D. Ujmajuridze). In the next round, Dinamo Batumi met the Dutch giants, PSV Eindhoven. The match in Batumi ended in a 1:1 draw (A. Mujiri opened the scoring), while the hosts won 3-0 in Eindhoven.

The 1997-1998 season was particularly successful in the club's history. The team won the Vice-Champion title (2nd place) in the National Championship, and in the Georgian Cup final, they defeated Dinamo Tbilisi 2-1 in extra time to claim the title. Later, in the Super Cup match, the Batumi side again defeated their Tbilisi clubmates in extra time (2-1) to secure this title as well. In the Cup Winners' Cup, Dinamo Batumi defeated Ararat Yerevan in a two-legged tie - 4-2 at home (a brace by J. Chukhua, A. Ghlonti, G. Shekiladze) and 2-0 away (R. Torgashvili, I. Makharadze).

In the 1998-1999 season, the team took 5th place in the National Championship. In the first qualifying round of the Cup Winners' Cup, Batumi faced Partizan Belgrade. In the first match, in Yugoslavia, Partizan won 2-0, while in the return leg in Batumi, Dinamo won 1-0 with a goal by T. Sitchinava; however, on aggregate, the Serbian club advanced to the next round.

THE 2000S

After a successful 1990s, the early 2000s proved to be full of difficulties for Dinamo Batumi. The team took 4th place in the 1999-2000 season, 7th in 2000-2001, 6th in 2001-2002, 9th in 2002-2003, and 8th place in both the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 seasons.

In the 2005-2006 season, the team finished 6th; in 2006-2007, 9th; and in the 2007-2008 season, they took 13th place and were relegated to the First League. Batumi spent the 2008-2009 season in the First League.

THE 2010S

In the 2009-2010 season, Dinamo again competed in the First League, and in 2010-2011, they took 5th place in the same league. In the 2011-2012 season, the team won first place in Zone A of the First League, finished 2nd in the play-outs, and earned promotion to the Umaghlesi Liga.

In the 2012-2013 season, Dinamo finished in 11th place and was relegated back to the First League. In 2013-2014, the team took second place in Zone B of the First League. According to the regulations, a play-off was supposed to be held; however, by the decision of the GFF Executive Committee, due to the expansion of the Umaghlesi Liga, Dinamo returned to the top tier.

In the 2016 transitional championship, the Dinamo Batumi team took third place and earned a ticket to the Europa League qualifying stage, where they were defeated in a two-legged tie against the Cypriot club Omonia (1-2 on aggregate).

In 2017, during the very first season of the newly formed Erovnuli Liga, Dinamo Batumi was relegated to Erovnuli Liga 2. From 2018, a new era began in the club's history - with the arrival of investors Joni Bakuridze and Archil Beridze, financial and institutional stability was established.

In the same year, Gia Geguchadze took over as head coach of Dinamo Batumi; the team won Erovnuli Liga 2 and returned to the top division. In 2019, the newly promoted Dinamo Batumi side took second place in the Erovnuli Liga and earned the right to compete in European competitions.

THE 2020S

In 2020, Dinamo again won silver medals; that same year, Batumi's new, modern UEFA Category IV stadium was opened, elevating football life in the city to a new level.

The year 2021 was written in golden letters in the club's history - for the first time in its existence, Dinamo Batumi won the title of Georgian Champion.

2022 turned out to be a special year for the club. Along with finishing 2nd in the Erovnuli Liga and winning the Georgian Super Cup, during the spring half of the season, Georgian football stars Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Zuriko Davitashvili defended the colors of Dinamo Batumi. This event caused a true football boom in the city and sparked unprecedented interest from fans.

In 2023, the club's 100th anniversary was celebrated with a championship; the Batumi team repeated their 2021 result and claimed the Georgian Championship title for the second time.

After a triumphant season, a period of crisis began at the club, which eventually ended with the arrival of a new investor at Dinamo in late 2025.

Following Archil Beridze, Batumi businessman Temur Mikeladze took over the club and became the new owner of Dinamo Batumi.

With this change, a new era began for the Batumi club. Under the leadership of the new owner, Temur Mikeladze, Dinamo Batumi remains one of the strongest clubs in Georgian football. Dinamo continues to develop and, backed by the support of numerous fans, consistently sets the highest goals both in the Georgian National League and in the international arena. This turn of events creates a solid foundation for the club's century-old, rich history to continue with new successes and titles.