As Germany's top league, the Bundesliga boasts a massive global fan base that watches the matches. A few teams dominate the top of the table every year, with one standing out from the rest. Each year, the competition in the league becomes more intense. Knowing how many games are played each season helps fans keep track of the standings. So exactly how many games in Bundesliga season? Let’s find out with Win Betting Tips in the following article!
Learn about the Bundesliga
There are 34 matches in a Bundesliga season. Teams play each other twice – once at home and once away. After each club has played all 34 matches, the club with the most points at the end of the season is crowned league champions.
When did the Bundesliga start?
The Bundesliga officially began in 1963. This means that the first champions, FC Köln, lifted the trophy in 1964. The league has undergone quite a few changes over the years, mainly due to the number of teams, relegations, and the qualification of teams for European competitions.
Traditionally, the Bundesliga is not as competitive as some other European domestic leagues. However, the majority of Bundesliga titles have been won by Bayern Munich. They are the only team that consistently competes at the highest level due to their financial strength.
How does the Bundesliga season work?
- Bundesliga season: August-May
- Low season: June - July
Like many other European domestic leagues, the Bundesliga regular season involves each team playing against every other team twice. With 18 teams in the league, this results in 34 matches per Bundesliga season.
Each team plays the other 17 teams once at home and once away. At the end of the season, the team that finishes at the top of the table is crowned champions. The deciding criteria include goal difference, total goals scored, and head-to-head win ratio, in that order.
Other matches of the year
Bundesliga teams don’t just play 34 league games a year. Some of the top teams play even more games thanks to the various cups and competitions they participate in. The number one goal for any European club is to qualify for the Champions League. To do this, they need to finish the season in the Bundesliga with a strong record. The Bundesliga is ranked in the top four of UEFA’s club coefficient rankings until at least 2023-24. That means the top four clubs automatically qualify for the Champions League the following season.
A fifth Bundesliga club also has the opportunity to enter the Champions League. The winners of the Champions League and Europa League automatically qualify for the Champions League the following year. If they finish outside the top four domestically, they become the fifth team. The fifth- and sixth-placed teams in the Bundesliga automatically qualify for the Europa League the following season. The DFB Cup winners also automatically qualify for the Europa League, provided they have not qualified for or entered the Champions League.
Finally, there are various competitions and cups held throughout the year that can attract local interest. Competitions are weighted differently, so teams may allow players who don’t typically play much to participate in lesser-known matches. In some cases, these are essentially exhibitions, particularly for teams with large budgets.
How does relegation work in the Bundesliga?
At the end of each season, Germany handles relegation differently from most other leagues. They use a relegation play-off to decide whether the two lowest-ranked teams stay up or get relegated. This play-off pits the 16th-placed team in the Bundesliga against the third-placed team in Bundesliga 2. The play-off system is a two-legged affair, with the winner earning a place in the Bundesliga the following year. Each year, the aim is to complete this play-off round within 10 days of the regular season's end. This adds drama as teams battle to stay at the top level next year.
The teams finishing 17th and 18th in the Bundesliga are automatically relegated to Bundesliga 2. Meanwhile, the teams finishing first and second in Bundesliga 2 are promoted to the Bundesliga the following year. Although there has been discussion of additional play-offs, only one play-off has taken place.
Which team is the strongest in the Bundesliga?
In recent years, the most dominant team has been Bayern Munich. Not only have they contended for the national championship title every year, but they are also a major force in international competition. They have reached the Champions League Final 11 times and won six of them. Their payroll makes them a global force to be reckoned with.
Historically, several other teams have topped the Bundesliga table alongside Bayern Munich. Borussia Dortmund is the most consistent team outside of Bayern Munich, having won the Bundesliga title and finished as runners-up eight times domestically. They are also the last team to win the Bundesliga other than Bayern Munich, winning in 2011–12.
Borussia Mönchengladbach and Werder Bremen are the only other two teams to have won four or more titles. Many clubs have achieved historic feats, but sustained success is harder to come by.
Conclusion
The Bundesliga is one of the world's premier football leagues, with Germany's top teams competing in 34 matches each season. The unique competition system, the competitiveness, and the excitement of the matches have helped the Bundesliga maintain its global appeal. If you've ever wondered "How many games are in a Bundesliga season?", the obvious answer is 34, with each team playing 17 home and 17 away games.
