How the Bundesliga fixture list is made
Friday sees the release of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 fixture lists for the 2023/24 season, but just how does the entire process come together to produce the games that will comprise the upcoming campaign? bundesliga.com explains...
With 34 matchdays spanning two divisions comprising 612 games across the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, there is plenty to take into consideration when drawing up the definitive list of games for each season and in what order they'll be played.
Placed together within a standardised framework, the fixture lists must take into account days blocked out for FIFA and UEFA fixtures and fit in all the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 games, alongside the scheduled dates of DFB Cup ties.
Every club will play 17 home and 17 away games during the domestic league season, competing against each club in the division twice. The planning process in producing the sequence of matches - which starts each spring - is a complex one and looks at many different factors, from the wishes and requests of local authorities to those of the clubs and media partners, among others.
Factors such as avoiding the clash of neighbouring clubs' fixtures or if a city is to host a major international event, for example, are among the things taken into consideration when the list is drawn up. All such requirements are entered into a computer programme, the software of which is developed by the DFL. Hundreds of options are considered and rejected during this process.
At the end of it all, a definitive fixture list for the coming season is produced. The kick-off times for each match are determined during the campaign when consideration to international club competitions is given so as to give those clubs competing enough time to recuperate.
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The DFL is also in constant dialogue with security officials to make sure that matches proceed as smoothly as possible for all concerned.
During the entire process, the interests of clubs, stadium operators and fans are also taken into account as far as possible. You will be able to see the outcome of this entire process when the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 fixture lists are revealed on Friday.
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