A year of celebration to mark Hibs’ 150th

HIBERNIAN FC have announced a host of varied and exciting events for season 2025/26 to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.

Firstly, to mark the date of Hibs’ official 150th Anniversary—August 6—the club will be holding special events at both Easter Road Stadium and Edinburgh’s Cowgate area, where Hibs was initially formed at St Mary’s Street Hall back in 1875.

This summer will see the club release its official 150th Anniversary kit range. In conjunction with its technical partner, Joma, Hibs have worked hard to create a range of kits that recognise its unique history, club colours and heritage. The 150th kit range will be released throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Fans are being asked to keep an eye out on Hibernian FC social channels to be the first to view the kits this summer.

Community outreach

Community outreach has always been at the forefront of Hibernian FC since its inception in 1875, with the club keen to stress that it has always been more than just a football team.

“We were born out of a need to integrate immigrants into Edinburgh society, which has

created a legacy of unity and support that has expanded and developed over the past 150 years,” a club spokesperson said. “Since 1875, Hibernian FC have actively changed the landscape and society of Leith, Edinburgh, and beyond. For our 150th anniversary, we want to celebrate and share our unique story.

To that end, the ‘150 for 150’ project aims to do exactly that. Working in partnership with the Hibernian Community Foundation and the Hibernian Historical Trust, the club will visit 150 schools and community groups to tell its iconic 150-year-old story. Similar to its ‘Persevered Scottish Cup Trophy Tour’ in 2016, any school or community group can sign up to be visited by the club as part of this initiative.

The 150 Fund

From gathering supporter feedback, the club was made aware that some Hibernian FC fans are keen to get involved and make a monetary contribution towards the club’s 150th Anniversary activities and projects.

For supporters that would like to contribute to the Hibs’ 150th celebration, club partner, Capital Credit Union have created a standalone ‘150 Fund.’ This fund is easily accessible and gives fans the opportunity to donate towards supporting the success of its various anniversary projects and initiatives throughout the year.

100 per cent of these donations will go towards projects like the ‘150 for 150’ initiative and the Gordon Family have generously agreed to match every pound donated into the fund—up to the value of £50,000.

Special events

As part of the year-long celebrations, Hibs will be hosting numerous special events throughout the 2025/26 season.

In the early months of 2026, the club will host the official Hibernian Football Club 150th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Edinburgh Castle.

With other events to be revealed—including a special ‘150 Hall of Fame' event—the club will provide full information on all its unique nights and dinner celebrations in due course.

A memorable match

As part of the club’s 150th Anniversary, Hibs will continue to celebrate some of the many firsts that have shaped it as a football club and made it such prolific pioneers in world football.

In 1955, Hibernian FC became the first British team to play in the European Cup—now known as the UEFA Champions League. Led by Hibernian greats, Hibs beat German side Rot-Weiss Essen in the first leg, with Eddie Turnbull (2), Willie Ormond and Lawrie Reilly all on target in Germany.

Hibs went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition, losing to French side Reims, with Real Madrid going on to lift their first of 15 European Cups.

To mark the club’s 150th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of this ‘first,’ Hibs are delighted to announce that it will be recreating this historic fixture and hosting German side Rot-Weiss Essen for a very special pre-season friendly at Easter Road on Wednesday July 9, 2025. This will be the first time Rot-Weiss Essen have returned to Easter Road since 1955.

Full fixture information, including ticket details will be announced in the coming months.

All of the above events and initiatives have been led by the club’s 150th anniversary working group, made up of a range of staff, board members, supporters and fan groups.

“It is fantastic to finally share some of the plans for the club’s 150th anniversary with our supporters,” Scott Souness, Hibernian FC 150th Anniversary Project Manager said. “This milestone is a celebration of the club’s incredible history and, through taking onboard fan input and feedback, we have worked hard over the last 12 months to create an inclusive programme of projects and events that will reach and engage with our whole community.

“It is crucial that this year-long celebration truly reflects what Hibernian means to so many and we can’t wait to celebrate this historic occasion together.”