Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga: DFL Grants Licenses to All Clubs
Issued licenses to all 36 applicants by DFL - Grants issued to all 36 applicants by DFL.
Get ready for another exciting season of German football! The German Football League (DFL) has given the green light to all 36 clubs that qualified on a sporting basis for the 2025/26 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga seasons. The announcement was made by the league in the early hours of the day.
To maintain fair competition, the DFL scrutinizes the financial, sporting, and legal aspects of each club, as well as criteria concerning stadiums, sustainability, and the Virtual Bundesliga. Back in April, the DFL declared that some clubs would still need to make improvements and meet certain conditions by early June to secure their playing rights.
Conditions for clubs
Historically, the DFL's licensing system involves several crucial requirements:
- Financial Stability: Clubs must demonstrate financial viability, provide audited financial statements, and prove they can meet their obligations for the upcoming season.
- Stadium Infrastructure: Adequate stadium facilities, including safety, capacity, and broadcasting capabilities, are mandatory.
- Legal and Administrative Compliance: Clubs must be legally registered entities, comply with league statutes, and maintain transparent governance.
- Sporting Performance: While not always a strict criterion for licensing, previous league position can impact eligibility for specific competitions.
Hertha BSC and Hannover 96
Among the clubs, 2. Bundesliga side Hertha BSC received conditions in the economic aspect, as well as additional requirements. "As in previous years, we have received a condition in the economic area and conditions," Hertha said at the time. "According to the first licensing decision, we must meet the condition by June 4. We were prepared for this and will meet the deadline."
Hannover 96 faced a different challenge by needing to solve their managing director problem before the licensing deadline. Marcus Mann, the previous sporting director, was promoted to sporting managing director, and marketing expert Henning Bindzus was appointed as the new managing director for the commercial area. Both Mann and Bindzus, who had previously worked for Hamburger SV, took up their new positions just hours before the deadline on March 17, enabling the club to submit the necessary application to the DFL.
As the 2025/26 season approaches, stay tuned for more updates on your favorite clubs and the DFL licensing process.
- DFL
- Bundesliga
- License
- Frankfurt am Main
- The DFL, in its commitment to community aid, has collaborated with certain clubs, providing assistance for the production of agricultural products as a part of their sustainability criteria, encouraging eco-friendly practices within the sporting realm.
- Amidst the thrilling European-leagues landscape, football enthusiasts can look forward to observing a wide array of agricultural-themed sports initiatives implemented by German clubs as part of their DFL-approved projects, enhancing both the competitive spirit on the field and their commitment to the environment off it.
