When it comes to football (or soccer as you may call it), you simply can’t ignore the german Bundesliga. But for people who aren’t into football at all, it often seems super confusing: What actually happens in this league? How does the scoring system work? How do teams qualify?
In this guide, we’ll explain the Bundesliga so clearly that even total beginners will be able to join the conversation afterward — and who knows, maybe you’ll even get curious enough to watch a match live. So, let’s go!
The Bundesliga is Germany’s top professional football league — it’s where the best teams in the country compete against each other. The league was founded in 1963 to make German football more professional and to bring together the best teams in a single national competition.
Today, the Bundesliga is considered one of the best football leagues in the world, known for its talented players, exciting games, and passionate fans. For millions of people in Germany, it’s a regular part of the weekend — whether that means watching it live in the stadium, on TV, or cheering in a local pub.
The Bundesliga season usually begins in mid-August and ends in mid-May the following year. There’s a winter break between December and January since the matches are played outdoors and snow or frost would be an issue.
Whoever is at the top of the league table at the end of the season becomes the Bundesliga champion.
The Bundesliga is made up of 18 German teams competing for the title.
There are two main ways a team can qualify for the Bundesliga:
Additionally, teams must meet certain requirements — like stadium size and infrastructure, and financial stability — to be eligible for the league. These requirements are checked by the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL). If a club meets all conditions, they receive a license to play in the Bundesliga. This means even if a team earns promotion through performance, it can’t move up unless it also has a license.
Each team plays 34 matches per season — one home game and one away game against every other team. These are spread across 34 matchdays, most of which happen on weekends.
A matchday includes 9 games (since 18 teams = 9 matchups) and can be spread out over several calendar days. Usually, matchdays run from Friday to Sunday, but they can be adjusted due to international competitions. If games are played midweek (Monday–Wednesday), it’s called an “Englische Woche” (“English week”).
The Bundesliga uses a straightforward point system:
The number of points determines each team’s place in the league table. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned German champion. If two or more teams are tied on points, their goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) determines who ranks higher.
The bottom two teams are automatically relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. The 16th-place team enters the relegation playoff as explained earlier.
The Bundesliga is the highest division in German football, while the 2. Bundesliga is the second tier. Teams can move up or down between them through promotion and relegation.
Each team plays 34 matches — 17 at home and 17 away.
You can watch matches on TV, through streaming platfforms or live int the stadium. We definitely recommend the live experience tho :):
Germany has several internationally recognized teams, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, to name a few.
YES! The Women’s Bundesliga also runs from mid-August to May. The matches are usually scheduled so they don’t overlap with the men’s games — often taking place on Sunday afternoons. You can watch them on MagentaSport, DAZN, public broadcasters, or live in person.
For many Germans, the Bundesliga is more than just football — it’s a deep-rooted part of the culture and an emotional weekend ritual. Even if you’re not a football fan (yet), it’s totally worth watching a match and experiencing the atmosphere. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a brand-new passion?
