Female Handball Bundesliga Shakes Things Up for the Better
Women's Bundesliga relegation matches return: Expense concerns loom over venue selection
June 29, 2025, 3:13 PM
The 2025-26 women's Handball Bundesliga season is gearing up for some thrilling changes. With relegation games back in the mix, the excitement is at an all-time high. Let's dive into the details.
A Shake-Up in the Ranks: Relegation Games and Playdowns
The introduction of playoffs last season was a hit among the teams, and they'll remain a part of the game, albeit with some modifications. The top four teams from the main round will compete for the German championship, while the remaining four teams will face a double round "everyone against everyone" playdown to determine the fifth-place finisher.
The playdowns also see adjustments, with teams in positions nine to twelve playing a double round to decide the team that gets relegated. The eleventh-placed team will then battle it out against the second-placed team in the 2nd Bundesliga in another playdown round to secure a spot in the 1st league.
All About those Venues: Extended Transition Period
A longer transition period has been set for sports halls regarding their capacity, extending to the end of the 2028/29 season. For now, a minimum capacity of 1,200 spectators on each long side is sufficient. Compensation payments will be necessary for clubs that use smaller venues, potentially amounting to €5,000 to €7,500 per game.
Clubs like SV Halle-Neustadt, for instance, are 250 seats short of the 1,500-seat requirement and are exploring venues in Weißenfels and Dessau in hopes of avoiding hefty compensation payments.
Wildcats Take Charge: Direct Promotion Secured
The handball women of SV Union Halle-Neustadt are leaving the 2nd Bundesliga after only one season. With a clear victory against Bad Wildungen, they secured direct promotion.
Enrichment Insights:
- Clubs with halls falling short of the 1,500-seat requirement by 250 seats or more will be subject to compensation payments of €5,000 to €7,500 per game.
- The revised Bundesliga rules aim to enhance the league's infrastructure and maintain fairness across all clubs.
- The relegation and playdown rules are part of a plan to professionalize women's handball infrastructure in the Bundesliga.
- The extended transition period gives clubs more time to upgrade their facilities to meet the desired seating capacity standards.
- Despite facing a potential compensation of €5,000 to €7,500 per game, SV Halle-Neustadt is exploring alternative venues in Weißenfels and Dessau to meet the required 1,500-seat minimum for sports halls.
- The sports of handball will see exciting changes in the 2025-26 season, as the relegation and playdown rules, along with the extended transition period for sports halls, aim to professionalize the women's Handball Bundesliga and create a fairer playing field for all clubs.
