Overview

• The season runs from 22 August 2025 to 16 May 2026, with a winter break from 22 December to 9 January and relegation play-offs scheduled for 21/22 to 25/26 May 2026.
• Sky retains the bulk of live rights with roughly 80% of matches, DAZN carries the Sunday fixtures and adds a new Saturday-afternoon conference, and Sat.1 shows select free-to-air games including the opener, the Supercup and all relegation ties, also streaming via ran.de.
• The DFL’s media-rights package for 2025/26 to 2028/29 yields approximately €1.121 billion per season for the 36 professional clubs, totaling €4.484 billion over the cycle.
• The campaign began on 22 August with FC Bayern München defeating RB Leipzig 6:0 at the Allianz Arena.
• The 18-club field is set: 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV earned direct promotion, Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum were relegated, and 1. FC Heidenheim stayed up after a stoppage-time win in the play-off.