The structure of the Bundesliga

The 'Meisterschale'

Amongst the four European top leagues, the Bundesliga has the fewest tams. Only 18 clubs compete for the 'Meisterschale', the trophy that looks like a shield.

The league beneath the Bundesliga is simply called 2. Bundesliga, and the next one is called the 3. Bundesliga. This is because in all these leagues, only professional teams from the whole of Germany compete.

Each season, after the 34 matchdays are played, the last two spots of Germany's top league get relegated. They are replaced by the top two spots of the 2. league. The third-from-bottom team in the 1. and the third-place team from the 2. Bundesliga play a two-legged playoff match to compete for the last spot of the upcoming Bundesliga season.

'DFB-Pokal' is the name of the German version of the FA Cup and the only high-profile cup competition where amateur teams can participate. Below the 3. Bundesliga, teams are divided geographically. These teams can qualify for the 'DFB-Pokal' by winning their regional cups.

Regarding international competitions, the first three teams of the Bundesliga table will enter the group stage of the Champions League next season. Finishing as fourth will give one team the possibility to compete in the qualifying round for the Champions League.

The fifth and sixth placed teams enter the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Winning the 'DFB-Pokal' qualifies for the last round of the Europe League, which means that amateur clubs can end up playing in a big European tournament.