Bundesliga 2024/25 Season: Key Dates, Regulations, and Competition Schedule

The 2024/25 German football season officially kicks off on August 23, 2024, with the Bundesliga opening match, following the DFB-Pokal first round which begins on August 16. The summer transfer window in Germany closes on August 30 at 8:00 p.m. CET, while the UEFA Champions League introduces a new league-phase format starting in September.

Bundesliga and Lower League Start Dates

The Bundesliga season begins on August 23, 2024, featuring defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. According to the [official DFL schedule](https://www.dfl.de), the 2. Bundesliga season commenced earlier on August 2, 2024, while the 3. Liga began its campaign on August 3, 2024. The winter break for the top flight is scheduled to begin after the matchday on December 22, with play resuming on January 10, 2025. The final matchday of the Bundesliga is set for May 17, 2025.

DFB-Pokal Competition Timeline

The DFB-Pokal (German Cup) first round takes place from August 16 to August 19, 2024. As noted by the [DFB](https://www.dfb.de), the tournament continues with the second round on October 29–30, 2024. The competition follows a traditional knockout format, culminating in the final held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on May 24, 2025.

Summer Transfer Window Deadline

Clubs in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga must finalize their squad registrations by August 30, 2024. The transfer window closes at 8:00 p.m. CET, as established by the [DFL transfer regulations](https://www.dfl.de). Any player acquisitions or departures must be registered through the league’s administrative portal by this cutoff time to be eligible for the first half of the season.

New UEFA Champions League Format

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season introduces a significant change to the competition structure. UEFA has replaced the traditional group stage with a single “league phase” featuring 36 teams. According to [UEFA official documentation](https://www.uefa.com), each club will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against eight different opponents. The top eight teams in the final league table qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th through 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off.

Key Dates Summary

| Competition | Start Date | Final/Deadline |
| :— | :— | :— |
| 2. Bundesliga | August 2, 2024 | May 18, 2025 |
| 3. Liga | August 3, 2024 | May 17, 2025 |
| DFB-Pokal (1st Round) | August 16, 2024 | May 24, 2025 (Final) |
| Bundesliga | August 23, 2024 | May 17, 2025 |
| Transfer Window | N/A | August 30, 2024 |

Frequently Asked Questions

• When does the Bundesliga winter break end? The league resumes on January 10, 2025, following the conclusion of the winter break on December 22, 2024.
• How many teams are in the new Champions League league phase? The format has expanded to 36 teams, replacing the previous 32-team group stage.
• Can teams sign players after August 30? Generally, no. The summer registration period closes at 8:00 p.m. CET on that date, though specific exceptions for free agents may apply under DFL rules.