XXL reform: How German football wants to break Bayern's dominance

While the 2. Bundesliga provides excitement every year with tight tables and surprising promotion candidates, the Bundesliga has been dominated for over a decade almost exclusively by FC Bayern Munich. The XXL‑Reform, which shows how German football could become stronger and more balanced in the future, puts exactly these contrasts at the centre.

In Germany, the two top divisions together comprise 36 professional clubs. Every year they fight for a place in one of two leagues, each comprising 18 teams – the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga.

For each team, personal sporting approaches and goals are at the forefront, translating into diverse new perspectives, opportunities and obstacles. The sporting form of the teams is determined as much by squad development as by long‑term objectives.

Financial challenges for the clubs

Besides pure competitiveness, clubs must also master financial aspects. Revenue from marketing, player sales, new signings and ticketing are central building blocks to finance the sporting goals.

Another goal of the reform is to strengthen the German national team and youth development. Through targeted investments in squad development, a stronger pool for the national team should be created in the long term.

At the same time, no club may lose sight of its history and loyal fans. The past, present and future of the club should be carried together to secure identity and attachment.

Bayern dominates the Bundesliga

The 2. Bundesliga is considered one of the most exciting European leagues, where new favorites for promotion and relegation emerge at the end of each season. In contrast, the Bundesliga has an unshakable top favorite: FC Bayern Munich.

In the last 14 years, the German champion has been crowned 13 times from the Bavarian state capital, which underscores the club's dominance. The central question therefore is how to break this supremacy and make the top of the Bundesliga more attractive in the long term.

Lothar Matthäus put the problem to the point: without Bayern there would be only one other champion favorite, but that cannot be a solution. This assessment calls for a rethink in the strategic orientation of the league.