First licensing decisions for 2024-25

18 April 2024 – Today, the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga presented its first decisions on licensing applications for the forthcoming 2024-25 season of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 to the respective clubs. As things stand, none of the current 36 licensed clubs or the licence applicants from 3. Liga have been denied a licence. However, some clubs will have to meet certain criteria by the end of May in order to obtain their licences in the event that they qualify on the pitch. Other clubs have been approved either without reservation or subject to certain stipulations or limitations.

In accordance with its Articles of Association, DFL GmbH is the first-level authority for the licensing process. It examines financial, sporting, legal, staffing and administrative criteria, as well as stadium-related aspects and criteria pertaining to sustainability and the Virtual Bundesliga, with a view to ensuring honest and fair competition. In examining various criteria, DFL GmbH can impose conditions and/or stipulations on applicants in accordance with its Licensing Regulations. A condition stipulates that certain requirements must be met by a set date before the new season so that – subject to all other criteria being satisfied – a licence can be issued for the coming season. A stipulation defines the criteria that must be maintained throughout the season once a licence has been issued.

The clubs have one week in which to appeal against the preliminary decision.

The second decision by DFL GmbH will take place in early May. The affected clubs will then have five days in which to lodge a second appeal. After this, the first meeting of the Licensing Committee, chaired by Jan-Christian Dreesen, will be held. This meeting will issue a final decision on the second appeals in mid-May. The Licensing Committee’s final decision on whether these applicants have met the respective criteria and whether they should therefore be granted licences is scheduled for early June.

You can find further information on the licensing process here.