Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga Starting with the 2025/26 season, Germany’s women’s Bundesliga will undergo a major change — instead of 12 teams, 14 clubs will compete in the league. The decision to expand the competition was made by the DFB (German Football Association). And that’s not all — the federation has hinted that further expansion could be possible in the future.
Under the new format, the top three teams from the 2. Frauen-Bundesliga will earn promotion to the top flight, while only the team finishing last in the Bundesliga will be relegated.
The change follows recommendations from the AFBL (Frauen-Bundesligen) and AFM (Frauen- und Mädchenfußball) committees and was approved by an overwhelming majority of clubs.
“Together with the clubs, we will now move forward with the next stages of development. A larger number of teams, broader competition, and increased visibility will help draw even more attention to the league,” said Sabine Mammitzsch, DFB Vice President responsible for women’s and girls’ football.
Ralf Zwanziger, head of the women’s football division at TSG Hoffenheim, shared a similar view:
“This is a fundamental step for the entire league and for every club. Additional matches will increase the visibility of teams, especially those not participating in international competitions. Expanding to 14 teams is an important milestone, but definitely not the end of the road.”
However, the expansion will also bring some challenges. The season will be extended — starting in 2025, there will be 26 rounds instead of 22. On top of that, the intense international calendar means players have barely had a proper summer break for several years.
Stay tuned for the latest updates from the Frauen-Bundesliga!
