Bundesliga

The Bundesliga is the top tier of professional football in Germany. Established in 1963 to unify West German clubs, it represents the pinnacle of the German football league system. The league currently consists of 18 teams and uses a double round-robin format, with each club playing 34 matches per season. Points are awarded as 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. The season typically runs from August to May and includes a winter break. The team with the most points is crowned champion, while the bottom two teams are relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. The 16th-placed team faces the 3rd-placed team from the second division in a two-legged playoff to determine relegation or retention.

The Bundesliga is known for its strong fan culture and high matchday attendance. German club governance is shaped by the 50+1 ownership rule, which generally requires clubs to be majority owned by their members. This structure, along with emphasis on financial sustainability, youth development, and competitive balance, forms a distinctive sporting environment. Bayern Munich is the most successful club in Bundesliga history, followed by Borussia Dortmund; other long-standing clubs include Werder Bremen, Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen, and RB Leipzig among others.

In European competition, Bundesliga clubs regularly qualify for the UEFA Champions League and the Europa Conference League, reflecting Germany’s status in continental football. The league is regarded as one of Europe’s leading divisions in terms of competition, attendance, and television audience, contributing to Germany’s overall standing in the sport.