Overview

• The Bundesliga runs from August 22 to May 16 with a winter break from December 22 to January 9 and relegation playoff dates set for May 21–26, 2026.
• Sky retains roughly 80% of live top-flight matches, DAZN carries Sunday games and a new Saturday afternoon conference, and Sat.1 airs select free-to-air fixtures including the opener, Supercup and all relegation ties.
• Rule updates for 2025/26 include an eight-second goalkeeper limit with overrun punished by a corner, referees signaling the final five seconds by hand, and trials of in-stadium announcements after VAR interventions.
• The top tier features 18 clubs with 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV promoted and 1. FC Heidenheim staying up via the playoff, while Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum were relegated.
• The 2. Bundesliga began on August 1 with all matches on Sky and a Saturday evening free-TV game on RTL/RTL+/NITRO, and the 3. Liga started the same weekend with every match on MagentaSport plus select regional broadcasts by ARD channels.