Bundesliga history
A brief history of the Bundesliga
The Bundesliga phenomenon >
Germany's first national professional football league was officially summoned into existence on the 28th of July 1962 at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. Here's an overview of how it developed.
Germany's first national professional football league was officially summoned into existence on the 28th of July 1962 at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. Here's an overview of how it developed.
The 1960s: The founding years >
The opening whistle for the inaugural Bundesliga matches blew on August 24th1963. Come the end of the season, 1. FC Köln had been crowned as the first winners of the new national championship.
The opening whistle for the inaugural Bundesliga matches blew on August 24th1963. Come the end of the season, 1. FC Köln had been crowned as the first winners of the new national championship.
The 1970s: Black year, golden decade >
The 70s got off to a bad start with a match-rigging scandal. Before the middle of the decade however, FC Bayern and Borussia Mönchengladbach were leading the way in a golden era for the German game.
The 70s got off to a bad start with a match-rigging scandal. Before the middle of the decade however, FC Bayern and Borussia Mönchengladbach were leading the way in a golden era for the German game.
The 1980s: Record transfers and record champions >
A few star players headed south as the Bundesliga's international reputation continued to grow, but on the home front the clubs continued to offer the fans exciting and attractive football.
A few star players headed south as the Bundesliga's international reputation continued to grow, but on the home front the clubs continued to offer the fans exciting and attractive football.
The 1990s: Unity restored, Dortmund ascendant >
The national league took on a further dimension with the reunification of Germany in 1990. A slumbering giant meanwhile reawakened in the Ruhr district, to become a force at home and abroad.
The national league took on a further dimension with the reunification of Germany in 1990. A slumbering giant meanwhile reawakened in the Ruhr district, to become a force at home and abroad.
The 2000s: Birth of the DFL, renaissance at FC Bayern >
The dawning of a new century brought with it a radical change in the way the Bundesliga is run. Out on the pitch, Bayern München had new rivals to reckon with as they battled to reassert their dominance.
The dawning of a new century brought with it a radical change in the way the Bundesliga is run. Out on the pitch, Bayern München had new rivals to reckon with as they battled to reassert their dominance.
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