VfB Stuttgart has initiated legal proceedings against its main sponsor, Winamax, at the Stuttgart District Court, citing unpaid sponsorship fees.

The lawsuit comes after Winamax stopped all payments under their advertising and sponsorship contract in spring 2025, despite multiple reminders from Stuttgart.

Efforts to resolve the payment issue amicably failed, leading Stuttgart to pursue legal recourse as their only option.

The sponsorship contract between VfB Stuttgart and Winamax is set to conclude on June 30, 2025.

Amid these controversies, the partnership with Winamax, originally intended to last until 2026, has been terminated, with Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) set to take over as the main sponsor.

LBBW will officially replace Winamax as the main and jersey sponsor of VfB Stuttgart starting after the current contract ends.

Tensions escalated during the DFB-Pokal final against Arminia Bielefeld, where Stuttgart opted to wear jerseys sponsored by LBBW instead of Winamax due to these ongoing contractual disputes.

During the DFB-Pokal final in May 2025, LBBW's branding was already displayed on the players' jerseys, indicating a significant shift in sponsorship.

In response to Stuttgart's jersey change, Winamax accused the club of breaching their sponsorship agreement and damaging its reputation.

The situation has drawn criticism from fans and stakeholders, including influential investor Porsche, who have expressed concerns over the sponsorship dynamics.

Winamax's partnership with VfB Stuttgart, which began two years ago, has faced scrutiny from fans and stakeholders alike.

VfB Stuttgart emphasized that the legal action was 'necessary and unavoidable' due to Winamax's failure to fulfill its financial obligations.