Every year the Bundesliga season is interrupted shortly after its beginning by the first international play window in early September – so far. Because from 2026 a new format applies.
The previous rhythm has been a habit for decades: three international play windows with two games each always took place in autumn, including 2025. They were placed in the calendar around the beginning of September, early October and mid -November, the windows lasted nine calendar days. Most of the international season will be completed on these appointments and the window at the end of March – for example for the Nations League or the qualification for the World Cup and EM.
After the 2026 World Cup, a new principle applies:
- There are Only two international play windows in autumnone from late September to early October and one in November.
- The window in October is significantly longer at 16 instead of 9 days last than before, there will be Four instead of two game dates planned.
- The November window remains as beforethe number of international matches remains the same overall.
Interruption of the Bundesliga comes later, but it takes longer
The Bundesliga will experience its first interruption later in the season. So far, the first caps of the season have mostly come after the second or third Bundesliga match day. In the future, the new long window will only come three weeks later as the first interruption, but will take longer.
In 2026 this will be the case from September 20th to October 5th. The Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League can also sort this again, during this time the first European Cup games are usually completed. Neither the UEFA nor the DFL or the DFB have released their framework for the 2026/27 season.
New and larger tournaments – there was a need for a change
The FIFA Council unanimously made the decision to change in 2023, and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf is also a member of the committee. The FIFA determines the so -called “international game calendar”, which regulates the election times of the national players for international matches.
There was a need for a new regulation after the calendar with the new club World Cup, the expanded World Cup and the expanded European Cup competitions became ever closer. The new long window now saves one day or two.
New calendar causes great trouble – but not because of the international matches
The design of the calendar is a matter for FIFA. “The top goals are clear conditions and sensible games. But fundamental is also the protection of the well -being of the players”said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a message after the decision of the new calendar format, which should apply until at least 2030. He added: “The perspectives of all important interest groups were taken into account.”
Not all interest groups see it that way. According to the European Ligenverband, in which the DFL is also a member, as well as the International Gaming union FIFPRO appealed to the EU Commission. They feel about the discussion and demand a clearer say in the design of the calendar. FIFA rejected the allegations. Above all, the conflict with FIFPRO escalated.