The German Football League (DFL) has announced new season details for the upcoming 2026 season, which will see the league expand to include more teams and potentially new formats.
The DFL is set to welcome eight new clubs into the competition in 2026, bringing the total number of teams up to 18. The new clubs will be drawn from the existing Bundesliga and Regionalliga West divisions, with each team expected to play 34 matches during the regular season.
In addition to the expansion, the DFL is also planning to introduce a new format for the promotion/relegation playoff system, which will see the top two teams from the Regionalliga East and Regionalliga West divisions qualify for the promotion playoffs, while the bottom two teams from the same divisions will face off in the relegation playoffs.
The new format aims to create a more competitive and exciting promotion/relegation process, as well as provide additional opportunities for teams to secure their place in the Bundesliga.
Overall, the announcement of these new season details for the 2026 DFL season is sure to have a significant impact on football in Germany, and could lead to some exciting changes and developments in the years ahead.