25 per cent rise: DFL significantly increases training reward for amateur clubs

11 December 2023 – DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga is once again reforming the training reward to support the respective clubs that play below Germany’s top two leagues. The core of the changes is a 25 per cent increase in the financial amount paid to the clubs below the 3. Liga, that train players who go on to make their first appearance in the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2 before their 23rd birthday. The relevant resolution was passed unanimously by the 36 professional clubs at today’s DFL Members Assembly.

The training reward is given to amateur clubs that coach players who later go on to debut in the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2. This coaching can take place at any point from the season of the player’s 6th birthday to the season of their 21st birthday. In future, the clubs will receive €5,250 (previously €4,200) for each full season of training from the season of the player’s 6th birthday to the season of his 11th birthday. For training from the season of the player’s 12th birthday to the season of his 21st birthday, the clubs will receive €6,750 (previously €5,400) per season.

The changes will come into effect at the start of the 2024-25 season, when the increased funding will be paid to the relevant amateur clubs for players making their debuts. The existing guidelines for recognising and funding training therefore continue to apply for the current 2023-24 season.

A total of 54 professional players debuted in the top two tiers of German football during the 2022-23 season, for whom a training reward was paid. A total of 101 amateur clubs below 3. Liga benefited from their involvement in training these professional players. Since the previous reform of the training reward for the 2017-18 season, a total of nearly €10 million has been paid to clubs below 3. Liga.