The club has experienced almost every stage of Georgian football, from the early regional championships and Soviet football system to the creation of the independent Georgian national league. In recent years, Dinamo Batumi has become one of the strongest clubs in the country, winning the Erovnuli Liga championship in 2021 and 2023. The club also won the Georgian Cup and Super Cup in the late 1990s and another Super Cup in 2022.
Dinamo Batumi has also developed a strong European identity. The club has appeared in UEFA competitions against opponents from several countries, including Celtic, Omonia, Jagiellonia and other European sides. Its modern rise has been supported by investment, improved infrastructure and the opening of the modern Batumi Arena.
In 2026, Dinamo Batumi remained one of the leading teams in the Erovnuli Liga. The club was also enjoying a strong Georgian Cup campaign, defeating Telavi and then Torpedo Kutaisi to reach the semi-finals. By September 10, the team had also recorded important league victories over Samgurali, Meshakhte, Spaeri and Rustavi.
Dinamo Batumi Club Profile
| Club information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | FC Dinamo Batumi |
| Common name | Dinamo Batumi |
| Founded | 1923 |
| City | Batumi |
| Region | Adjara, Georgia |
| Country | Georgia |
| League | Erovnuli Liga |
| Stadium | Batumi Arena |
| Stadium capacity | 20,343 |
| Club colours | Blue and white |
| Georgian league titles | 2 |
| Georgian Cup titles | 1 |
| Georgian Super Cup titles | 2 |
| Head coach in 2026 | Giorgi Chiabrishvili |
| Official club website | Dinamo Batumi |
The club's official information lists its founding year as 1923 and its home venue as Batumi Arena, which has a capacity of 20,343 spectators.
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The Early History of Football in Batumi
The history of football in Batumi is older than Dinamo Batumi itself.
The official club history states that one of the city's earliest football teams, Kholodnoslobodskaya, was formed in 1911. By 1914, Batumi had around ten organized teams as well as numerous informal sides.
Football quickly became popular in the city. Batumi teams began playing against clubs from other Georgian cities, including teams from Poti and Sukhumi.
One early example came when a Batumi representative team travelled to Poti and lost heavily. The experience proved valuable because Batumi later returned to Poti and won 1–0.
The growth of football in the city continued through the 1910s and early 1920s.
The 1920s and the Formation of Dinamo
Following the establishment of Soviet rule in Georgia, several football teams appeared in Batumi.
In 1921, teams including Mzevari, Red Knight and KSM were formed. In 1923, the Batumi Voluntary Fire Society football team became one of the strongest sides in the region.
The club's history identifies 1923 as the foundation year of the organization that eventually developed into Dinamo Batumi.
Batumi's football teams quickly became competitive against opponents from Tbilisi, Poti, Sukhumi and other Georgian cities.
In the first Georgian championship in 1927, the Batumi representative team won all three of its matches and became champion. The team defeated Tbilisi 2–1, Poti 2–1 and Sukhumi 3–0.
This early success demonstrated the importance of Batumi as a football centre long before the modern Erovnuli Liga existed.
Dinamo Batumi During the 1930s
Football continued to grow in Batumi during the 1930s.
The city had several competitive teams, but Dinamo became increasingly prominent.
In 1936, Dinamo Batumi participated in the Soviet championship and also entered the Soviet Cup. The club's first Soviet Cup campaign ended in the opening round against Dinamo Tbilisi.
The 1938 season was particularly successful.
Dinamo Batumi won the Georgian championship for the second time and also captured the Constitution Cup. The team defeated its fellow Dinamo side from Sukhumi 5–2 in the final.
The club's success led to greater investment in football infrastructure in Batumi, including the development of a standard-sized football field.
In 1939, Dinamo Batumi entered the Soviet championship's Class B competition.
The 1940s
The beginning of the 1940s brought another major achievement.
In 1940, Dinamo Batumi defeated the Tbilisi club 3–1 to win the Georgian championship for the third time.
The club also participated in the Soviet Cup, reaching the round of 16.
Football continued during the difficult wartime years. In 1943, the Georgian championship was played despite the Second World War, with Dinamo finishing sixth.
After the war, the club returned to the upper positions of Georgian football.
Dinamo finished third in 1945, second in 1946 and third again in 1947 and 1948.
The 1947 season was particularly memorable because Dinamo Batumi won the Georgian Cup.
Dinamo Batumi in Soviet Football
During the Soviet era, Dinamo Batumi competed at different levels of the Soviet football pyramid.
The club spent periods in the lower Soviet divisions but repeatedly challenged for promotion.
The 1960s were an especially important period.
In 1963, Dinamo won its Soviet republic zone in Class B but narrowly missed promotion after losing a two-leg playoff against Lokomotiv Tbilisi.
In 1964, the club again finished first in its zone. It then participated in a promotion tournament but finished fourth.
The team also played international friendly matches during this period. One notable result came in 1964 when Dinamo Batumi defeated Iran's Shahin 5–0.
The club continued competing in Soviet football through the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1983, Dinamo won its Class A Second League zone before finishing third in the final stage.
The team subsequently competed in the Soviet First League during the 1980s.
The End of the Soviet Era
By the late 1980s, Dinamo Batumi's results had declined.
The club finished 19th in 1987, 16th in 1988 and 18th in 1989 in the Soviet First League.
The collapse of the Soviet Union then transformed the club's future.
In 1990, Dinamo Batumi participated in the first independent Georgian national championship.
The club finished sixth and reached the Georgian Cup semi-finals.
The early years of independent Georgian football were difficult but also provided Dinamo Batumi with opportunities to establish itself against the country's strongest clubs.
Dinamo Batumi in the 1990s
Dinamo Batumi remained competitive throughout the 1990s.
The club reached the Georgian Cup final in 1993, 1995 and 1996 but lost each final to Dinamo Tbilisi.
In the 1996–97 season, Dinamo Batumi finally won a league medal by finishing third.
The following season became one of the most successful periods in the club's early modern history.
Dinamo Batumi finished second in the Georgian championship and won the Georgian Cup.
The club defeated Dinamo Tbilisi 2–1 after extra time in the cup final.
Dinamo Batumi then won the Georgian Super Cup, again defeating Dinamo Tbilisi 2–1 after extra time.
The club also entered European competition and defeated Armenian club Ararat Yerevan over two legs in the Cup Winners' Cup.
At home, Dinamo won 4–2 before winning the second leg 2–0.
Dinamo Batumi and Celtic
One of the most memorable European opponents in Dinamo Batumi's history is Celtic.
In the 1995–96 European campaign, Dinamo Batumi faced the famous Scottish club.
The first match in Batumi ended in a 3–2 victory for Celtic. The return match was played at Celtic Park in front of more than 31,000 spectators.
Celtic won the second leg 4–0 and progressed with a 7–2 aggregate victory.
The tie nevertheless became an important part of Dinamo Batumi's European history because it gave the Georgian club the opportunity to play one of Britain's best-known football teams.
The Difficult 2000s
The beginning of the 21st century was much more difficult for Dinamo Batumi.
The club remained in the Georgian top division for several seasons but gradually dropped down the table.
Between 1999 and 2007, the team generally finished in the middle or lower part of the championship standings.
The 2007–08 season brought a major setback.
Dinamo Batumi finished 13th and was relegated to the first division.
The club then spent several seasons outside the top flight.
Return to the Georgian Top Division
Dinamo Batumi eventually returned to the top level after winning promotion in the early 2010s.
The club's first return did not last long.
After finishing 11th in the 2012–13 season, Dinamo Batumi was relegated again.
The club later experienced another major setback in 2017 when it dropped into Erovnuli Liga 2.
However, the next year marked the beginning of a new era.
The Beginning of the Modern Dinamo Batumi Era
In 2018, new investors Johnny Bakuridze and Archil Beridze became involved with the club.
Their arrival brought greater financial and institutional stability.
That same year, Gia Geguchadze became head coach.
Dinamo Batumi won Erovnuli Liga 2 and returned to the country's top division.
In 2019, the newly promoted club finished second in the Erovnuli Liga and qualified for European competition.
The turnaround was remarkable considering that the club had only recently returned from the second tier.
The New Batumi Arena
Another important moment in the club's development came in 2020 with the opening of the new Batumi Arena.
The modern stadium was built to UEFA Category IV standards and significantly improved the football infrastructure available to the club.
The stadium became an important symbol of Dinamo Batumi's transformation.
Today, Batumi Arena is one of the most recognizable football venues in Georgia and can accommodate more than 20,000 spectators.
Dinamo Batumi Wins Its First Georgian Championship
The biggest moment in the club's modern history came in 2021.
Dinamo Batumi won the Georgian championship for the first time.
After decades of competing in Georgian football, the club finally captured the country's top-flight title.
The championship represented the culmination of the club's modern rebuilding project.
It also established Dinamo Batumi as one of the strongest teams in Georgian football.
The 2022 Season
Dinamo Batumi remained highly competitive in 2022.
The club finished second in the Erovnuli Liga but won the Georgian Super Cup.
The season was also notable because several highly talented Georgian players appeared for the club.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Zuriko Davitashvili both represented Dinamo Batumi during part of the 2022 season.
Their presence attracted significant attention to the club and contributed to an increased level of interest from supporters.
Dinamo Batumi's Second League Championship
In 2023, Dinamo Batumi won the Georgian championship again.
The title came during the club's 100th anniversary period and became one of the most important celebrations in its history.
The club had now won the Georgian top-flight title twice, in 2021 and 2023.
The achievement confirmed that Dinamo Batumi was no longer simply a challenger to Dinamo Tbilisi and other established clubs.
It had become a genuine domestic powerhouse.
Changes After the 2023 Championship
The period after the 2023 championship proved more difficult.
Dinamo Batumi experienced a decline in results and entered a period of uncertainty.
According to the club's official history, the situation eventually changed toward the end of 2025 when businessman Temur Mikheladze took over ownership of the club.
The new ownership began another phase of development with ambitions to return Dinamo Batumi to the top of Georgian football.
Dinamo Batumi in 2026
The 2026 season has been another important year for Dinamo Batumi.
The club remained in the Erovnuli Liga title race and also made progress in the Georgian Cup.
In August, Dinamo recorded a 4–0 victory away to Samgurali, followed by a 1–0 win against Meshakhte.
The club then defeated Torpedo Kutaisi 4–2 after extra time in the Georgian Cup quarter-final.
Dinamo also beat Spaeri 3–0 at home and defeated Rustavi 1–0 away.
The official club website describes the victory against Spaeri as an important match in the championship battle.
2026 Georgian Cup Campaign
Dinamo Batumi's Georgian Cup campaign in 2026 has been particularly impressive.
The club defeated Telavi 1–0 in the round of 16.
Dmitri Mandrichenko scored the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time.
Dinamo then travelled to Kutaisi to face Torpedo Kutaisi in the quarter-final.
The match finished 2–2 after 90 minutes.
During extra time, Uerdi Mara scored his second penalty of the match before Maurides added another goal in the final minute.
Dinamo Batumi won 4–2 and advanced to the semi-finals.
Dinamo Batumi 2026 Results
The following results are the major completed first-team matches reported by the club through September 10, 2026.
Erovnuli Liga
The 2026 league campaign has included several notable results.
Dinamo Batumi recorded:
Dinamo Batumi 2–2 Gagra
Samgurali 0–4 Dinamo Batumi
Meshakhte 0–1 Dinamo Batumi
Dinamo Batumi 3–0 Spaeri
Rustavi 0–1 Dinamo Batumi
The club's official website confirms the latter four results in August and September.
The 3–0 victory against Spaeri was Matchday 23, while the 1–0 win over Rustavi was Matchday 24.
These results placed Dinamo Batumi firmly in the championship conversation.
Georgian Cup
Dinamo Batumi 1–0 Telavi
Round of 16
Torpedo Kutaisi 2–4 Dinamo Batumi
Quarter-final, after extra time
Dinamo therefore reached the Georgian Cup semi-finals.
Current Coach
The club's first-team coaching staff in 2026 is headed by Georgian coach Giorgi Chiabrishvili.
The official Dinamo Batumi coaching page lists Chiabrishvili as head coach, with Lasha Nozadze and Zurab Menteshashvili working as assistants.
Chiabrishvili has been tasked with maintaining Dinamo Batumi's position among Georgia's leading clubs while developing a team capable of challenging for domestic trophies.
Famous Coaches in Dinamo Batumi History
Several coaches have played important roles in the club's history.
Gia Geguchadze
Gia Geguchadze is one of the most important coaches of the modern era.
He became head coach in 2018 and helped Dinamo Batumi win promotion back to the top division.
Under his leadership, the club became a major force in Georgia and eventually won the 2021 championship.
Giorgi Chiabrishvili
Chiabrishvili represents the next phase of the club's development.
His task is to maintain the team's competitiveness and challenge for domestic trophies.
Famous Players
Dinamo Batumi has produced and developed many talented Georgian footballers.
Among the notable players associated with the club are:
Ramaz Shengelia
Revaz Kvaratskhelia
Zuriko Davitashvili
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Giorgi Chkhetiani
Giorgi Jaba
Giorgi Navalovski
Uerdi Mara
Maurides
The club's history also records several footballers from earlier generations who went on to represent major Georgian and Soviet clubs.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dinamo Batumi
One of the most recognizable names associated with the modern club is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgian attacking star spent part of the 2022 season with Dinamo Batumi before continuing his career abroad.
His time in Batumi was relatively short, but it was an important chapter in the development of a player who later became one of the most recognizable Georgian footballers in the world.
His presence also generated considerable attention around the club.
Dinamo Batumi Stadium
Dinamo Batumi's home stadium is Batumi Arena.
The stadium is located in Batumi and has a listed capacity of 20,343.
It is a modern football stadium designed to meet UEFA Category IV standards.
The stadium opened in 2020 and became the new home of Dinamo Batumi.
Its modern facilities have helped transform the matchday experience for supporters and have also made Batumi suitable for major international football events.
Dinamo Batumi's Major Rivals
Dinamo Batumi has several important rivalries in Georgian football.
Dinamo Tbilisi
Matches between Dinamo Batumi and Dinamo Tbilisi are among the country's most recognizable fixtures.
The rivalry has existed for decades and includes numerous important cup finals and championship encounters.
Dinamo Tbilisi defeated Batumi in several Georgian Cup finals during the 1990s, while Batumi eventually defeated the capital club in the 1998 Georgian Cup final.
Torpedo Kutaisi
Torpedo Kutaisi is another major opponent.
Both clubs represent important football cities outside Tbilisi, and matches between them often carry significant importance in the league and cup.
Their 2026 Georgian Cup quarter-final was a dramatic example, with Dinamo Batumi winning 4–2 after extra time.
Dinamo Batumi's Major Honours
Georgian Erovnuli Liga
Champions:
2021
2023
Runners-up:
2019
2020
2022
Georgian Cup
Winner:
1997–98
Dinamo Batumi also reached the final several other times, particularly during the 1990s.
Georgian Super Cup
Winner:
1998
2022
The 1998 Super Cup victory came during one of the club's strongest periods of the 1990s.
European Football
Dinamo Batumi has represented Georgia in European competitions on multiple occasions.
The club first appeared on the European stage in the 1990s.
One of its early notable campaigns came in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, where it faced Armenian club Ararat Yerevan and advanced after winning both legs.
The club subsequently faced Partizan Belgrade and Celtic.
In the modern era, Dinamo Batumi has competed in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying.
European football remains one of the club's major ambitions because success in UEFA competitions can raise the profile of both Dinamo Batumi and Georgian football.
Dinamo Batumi's Importance to Georgian Football
Dinamo Batumi has played a unique role in Georgian football.
Its history is closely connected with the development of football in Adjara and the city of Batumi.
The club survived political changes, the Soviet system, the creation of independent Georgia and several financial difficulties.
Its modern revival demonstrates how investment, infrastructure and good sporting management can transform a football club.
The opening of Batumi Arena, the appointment of experienced coaches and the development of competitive squads have all helped the club establish itself among Georgia's leading teams.
Future of Dinamo Batumi
The club's current ambitions are focused on returning to the top of Georgian football.
After winning the league in 2021 and 2023, Dinamo Batumi wants to challenge for more championships and improve its performances in Europe.
The 2026 Georgian Cup campaign is another opportunity to add silverware.
The club's strong recent results, including the 4–0 victory against Samgurali, 3–0 win against Spaeri and 1–0 victory against Rustavi, show that Dinamo Batumi remains a serious competitor.
The combination of Batumi Arena, an established fan base, experienced players and new investment provides the club with a strong foundation for future success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dinamo Batumi
When was Dinamo Batumi founded?
Dinamo Batumi was founded in 1923. The history of organized football in Batumi, however, dates back to 1911.
Where is Dinamo Batumi based?
Dinamo Batumi is based in Batumi, Georgia, in the autonomous region of Adjara.
Which league does Dinamo Batumi play in?
Dinamo Batumi plays in the Erovnuli Liga, the top division of Georgian football.
How many Georgian league titles has Dinamo Batumi won?
Dinamo Batumi has won the Georgian top-flight championship twice, in 2021 and 2023.
When did Dinamo Batumi first win the Georgian championship?
The club won its first modern Georgian top-flight championship in 2021.
Who is the coach of Dinamo Batumi?
The club's head coach in 2026 is Giorgi Chiabrishvili.
What stadium does Dinamo Batumi use?
Dinamo Batumi plays its home matches at Batumi Arena, which has a listed capacity of 20,343.
Has Dinamo Batumi played in European competitions?
Yes. Dinamo Batumi has participated in UEFA competitions including the Cup Winners' Cup, Europa League and other European qualifying campaigns.
Did Dinamo Batumi win a trophy in 2026?
As of September 10, 2026, the club's notable 2026 success was its progress to the Georgian Cup semi-finals after defeating Torpedo Kutaisi 4–2 after extra time.
Did Dinamo Batumi win the Georgian Cup?
Yes. Dinamo Batumi won the Georgian Cup in the 1997–98 season after defeating Dinamo Tbilisi 2–1 after extra time.
Who are Dinamo Batumi's biggest rivals?
Dinamo Tbilisi and Torpedo Kutaisi are among the club's most important opponents.
Conclusion
Dinamo Batumi is one of the historic clubs of Georgian football and one of the country's strongest teams in the modern era.
From the early football teams of Batumi in the 1910s to the formation of the modern club in 1923, the team's history spans more than a century.
The club experienced success during the Soviet period, became an important participant in independent Georgian football and eventually established itself as a modern domestic powerhouse.
Its championships in 2021 and 2023 are the biggest achievements of the modern era, while the 1998 Georgian Cup and Super Cup double remains one of the most memorable periods of the club's earlier history.
With Batumi Arena providing a modern home, a strong supporter base and continued investment, Dinamo Batumi has the infrastructure to remain one of Georgia's leading clubs.
The 2026 season has already produced strong league results and a run to the Georgian Cup semi-finals. The club's next challenge is to turn that competitiveness into another major domestic trophy and eventually make a deeper impact in European football.
For anyone researching Georgian football history, Dinamo Batumi is a club that deserves special attention because its story reflects the development of football in Batumi, the transformation of Georgian football and the rise of a modern club capable of competing for national honours.
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