The Bundesliga is the top professional football league in Germany. It was founded in 1963 and has grown into one of the best-supported leagues in the world, known for full stadiums and lively fan culture.
The format
Eighteen clubs play each other twice, home and away, for a total of 34 matches each. Points are awarded in the usual way, with three for a win and one for a draw.
Relegation
The two lowest-placed clubs go down to the 2. Bundesliga, while the team in 16th place plays a two-legged play-off against the club that finished third in the second division.
Winter break
The league traditionally takes a break in winter, which gives players time to rest and makes the second half of the season very intense.