June 26 – Germany’s DFB is to increase the number of clubs in its top tier women’s professional league by two from the 2025/26 season.
This is seen as an interim growth step with the ambition to grow the league to 16 teams.
Currently at 12 teams, the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will increase to 14. The DFB board’s made the decision following recommendations made by the DFB committees for the Women’s Bundesliga (AFBL) and Women’s and Girls’ Football (AFM).
The majority of clubs voted in favour of the increase.
The 2024/25 season will see promotion and relegation rules changed with only one club instead of two will being relegated from the Women’s Bundesliga after the 2024/25 season.
The three top teams from Women’s Bundesliga 2 will be promoted.
The DFL said that if fewer than three of the top four clubs be promoted, (due to failure to meet club licensing criteria or clubs preferring to remain in the second tier) no-one will be relegated from the Bundesliga.
“The increase in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga is an important milestone for us in terms of the visibility of women’s football in Germany,” said Katharina Kiel, technical director for Eintracht Women.
“We are convinced that this will boost the image and quality of the league in the short and medium term and improve the competition. More clubs will have the opportunity to establish themselves in women’s football and to invest in it, which can only improve the standing of the Bundesliga. We see the increase at this stage as the right intermediate move towards a 16-club league and as such the next logical step in the growth process of women’s football, which we are looking to actively encourage as a club.”
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