[1] The predecessor club Hanauer Tabakverein was established as a gymnastics association in 1840 but was broken up just ten years later when several of its members found themselves facing courts martial.

Both of these clubs formed "Ballspielabteilungen", or ball play departments, in 1890 as English games such as football, rugby, and cricket were being popularized in continental Europe.

TV Hanau then went on to establish a football-only department in 1905 which joined the SDFV (Süddeutschen Fußballverband or South German Football League) in 1912.

The club has grown considerably since the end of the war and continues its tradition of participation in a wide variety of sports.

In addition to fielding men's, women's and youth's football teams, TSV currently has departments for athletics, badminton, bowling, gymnastics, handball, hiking, table tennis, volleyball, and other activities.