Overview

• Dresden’s scheduled home opener was canceled after Potsdam’s late exit, costing planned gate revenue and prompting a request that fans keep purchased tickets.
• The season begins October 11–12 with Skurios Volleys Borken, ETV Hamburger Volksbank Volleys and Binder Blaubären TSV Flacht making their top-flight debuts.
• VBL managing director Kim Oszvald-Renkema calls the return to 11 teams “enormously important” and a signal to locations pursuing promotion.
• Titleholder SSC Palmberg Schwerin expects to be favored in most matches, while Supercup winner Dresdner SC presents itself as a contender under coach Alexander Waibl.
• Clubs retooled rosters and staffs, with VfB Suhl adding middle blocker Alina Nasin from Potsdam and Schwarz-Weiß Erfurt bringing in coach Pablo Sanchez and setter Émilie Respaut.