The 2020–21 season was the 73rd season in the existence of 1. FC Köln and the club's second consecutive season in the top flight of German football. In addition to the domestic league, 1. FC Köln participated in this season's edition of the DFB-Pokal. The season covered the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
As a result of their 16th-place finish in the regular season, the club qualified for the play-off match with the third-place team in the 2020–21 2. Bundesliga to determine whether the club would remain in the 2021–22 Bundesliga.
^Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and the organisational effort required to host the fixture, the teams exchanged the home rights to the match.[26]