Broad range of criteria: Licensing guidelines

All clubs are required by law to run a youth academy (§ 3 Nr. 2 LO), which must provide a high level of education for talented young players in different age categories. The broad range of criteria the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs’ academies have to meet are listed in the Lizenzierungsordnung (LO) and its respective appendices. These are amended and refined on a regular basis to ensure continued development.

The guidelines cover structural, infrastructural and personnel conditions, required contractual terms between player and club, and the purpose and overall objectives of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga’s national academies commission (Kommission Leistungszentren). The Kommission Leistungszentren is made up of representatives of the clubs, the DFL and the DFB. Its main purpose is the planning and execution of methods of improving the sporting, economic, social and cultural development of youth academies, as well as the continued evaluation of the academies.

The guidelines cover structural, infrastructural and personnel conditions, required contractual terms between player and club, and the purpose and overall objectives of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga’s national academies commission (Kommission Leistungszentren).

The Kommission Leistungszentren is made up of representatives of the clubs, the DFL and the DFB. Its main purpose is the planning and execution of methods of improving the sporting, economic, social and cultural development of youth academies, as well as the continued evaluation of the academies.