First licensing decisions for 2025-26
22 April 2025 – The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga today presented its first decisions on the licensing applications for the forthcoming 2025-26 season to the respective clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. 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 beginning of June in order to obtain their licences, should they qualify for promotion. All other clubs have had their applications approved, but some are subject to certain stipulations.
In accordance with its Articles of Association, DFL GmbH is the first-level authority for the licensing process. It examines the different aspects of the criteria, such as financial, sporting, legal, staffing, stadium-related, administrative and sustainability, as well as the Virtual Bundesliga, with a view to ensuring honest and fair competition. The DFL GmbH can impose conditions and/or obligations 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 begins so that – subject to all other criteria being satisfied – a licence can be issued for the coming season. An obligation 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.
A second round of decisions by the DFL GmbH will take place in early May and any 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 take place. This meeting will issue a final decision on any 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 mid-June.
You can find further information on the licensing process here.