The Bundesliga, Germany’s top tier of professional soccer, is set to restart competitive play on approximately May 15th, according to Reuters. The government is expected to approve the restart of matches without fans in attendance and under strict conditions.
Two weeks ago, there were reports the league would restart on May 9th. That was subsequently walked back with word that Germany was still dealing with some growing issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they appear to be comfortable enough with the current trajectory of the novel coronavirus. The country started allowing museums and hairdresses to reopen under strict conditions and car factories beginning to resume work, according to Reuters.
The Bundesliga was suspended after most teams had played 25 games. Bayern Munich held a four point lead atop the standings over Borussia Dormund, and another point on top of RB Leipzig. SC Paderborn 07 and Werder Bremen hold the two relegation spots at 16 and 18 points, respectively, with Fortuna Dusseldorf in the relegation playoff spot at 22 points.
The Bundesliga (German: [ˈbʊndəsˌliːɡa] (listen); lit. ’ ‘Federal League”, sometimes referred to as die Fußball-Bundesliga [ˌfuːsbal-] or 1. Bundesliga [ˌeːɐ̯stə-]) is a professional association football league in Germany and the football league with the highest average stadium attendance worldwide. At the top of the German football league system, the Bundesliga is Germany’s primary football competition. The Bundesliga comprises 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga. Seasons run from August to May. Most games are played on Saturdays and Sundays, with a few games played on weekdays. All of the Bundesliga clubs qualify for the DFB-Pokal. The winner of the Bundesliga qualifies for the DFL-Supercup.
56 clubs have competed in the Bundesliga since its founding. Bayern Munich has won the Bundesliga the most, winning the title 28 times. However, the Bundesliga has seen other champions with Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Werder Bremen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart most prominent among them. The Bundesliga is one of the top national leagues, ranked third in Europe according to UEFA’s league coefficient ranking for the 2019–20 season, based on performances in European competitions over the past five seasons. The Bundesliga is the number-one football league in the world in terms of average attendance; out of all sports, its average of 45,134 fans per game during the 2011–12 season was the second highest of any sports league in the world after the American National Football League. The Bundesliga is broadcast on television in over 200 countries.The Bundesliga was founded in 1962 in Dortmund and the first season started in 1963. The structure and organisation of the Bundesliga along with Germany’s other football leagues have undergone frequent changes. The Bundesliga was founded by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (English: German Football Association), but is now operated by the Deutsche Fußball Liga (English: German Football League). – READ MORE »