Future plans of the DFL
Bundesliga with 20 teams? That says the DFL leadership
Exactly 18 teams have been in the Bundesliga since 1965. Other European top leagues have 20 clubs. Does the DFL follow?
The German Football League (DFL) has no plans to increase the Bundesliga to 20 teams in the foreseeable future. This was said by Managing Director Steffen Merkel at a media round of the league association in Frankfurt am Main. “There are no mind games,” said Merkel.
The Premier League in England, Serie A in Italy and La Liga in Spain all have 20 teams. This results in more games that can be awarded to TV partners.
Merkel called two reasons why an enlargement of the Bundesliga is currently not an issue: on the one hand, this was closely linked to right cycles with the TV partners. The DFL only awarded the rights for four seasons up to and including summer 2029 last autumn. In addition, you can see that the calendars are getting fuller. “We have to be realistic,” warned Merkel.
France has already reduced
According to the DFL managing director, there are more “tendencies” that leagues with 20 clubs think about a reduction in 18 teams. This has already happened in France.
Ligue 1 was reduced from 20 to 18 teams at the 2023/24 season. The tense economic situation of French professional football was considered the reason for the reduction. 18 teams have been playing permanently in the Bundesliga since 1965. The first two seasons 1963/64 and 1964/65 were completed with 16 clubs.
dpa
Source: Stern
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