‘We’ve fallen behind’: why Germany’s biggest teams have split from DFB

The Frauen-Bundesliga clubs are taking ownership of the league from the German Football Federation (DFB) to drive commercial growth and competitiveness, targeting the 2027-28 season for the new structure. This move, inspired by the English Women's Super League (WSL) model, aims to address Germany's relative decline in women's football.

Katharina Kiel, head of women's football at Eintracht Frankfurt and newly elected president of the Women's Bundesliga Association, explains the decision was driven by a fear of falling behind top nations like England. She cites the exponential growth of English women's football after the 2022 Euros, which Germany failed to match, leading to revenue streams not keeping pace with costs and players looking abroad.

Bianca Rech, a director at Bayern Munich, emphasizes the need for greater commercial revenue from sponsorships and the clubs' desire for autonomous decision-making, which was limited under DFB control. The clubs plan to establish their own rules on infrastructure and minimum salaries, using the WSL as a benchmark.

Both Kiel and Rech acknowledge Germany missed opportunities to capitalize on past successes, such as World Cup and European Championship wins, resulting in falling behind England and Spain. The upcoming 2029 Euros in Germany offers a chance for commercialization, but the clubs plan a careful, structured transition, using the next seasons to build a capable organization for the 2027-28 launch.

While admitting the Frauen-Bundesliga has fallen behind the WSL, Kiel believes the gap is not insurmountable, unlike the vast difference between the men's Bundesliga and Premier League. The focus is on closing this gap through strategic, club-led management.