It concerns injury time
Far-reaching change in the Bundesliga
Updated 12/4/2025 – 9:13 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Previously, the clock on the scoreboards of the Bundesliga stadiums stopped at the end of the 90th minute. But the DFL now has other plans.
From 2026 there will be a visible change for stadium visitors in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga: the actual injury time will then be displayed on the scoreboards. The general meeting of the German Football League (DFL) decided this unanimously on Thursday.
Until now, the clock was stopped at 45:00 or 90:00 minutes; from the beginning of 2026, spectators will also be informed about the stoppage time that has already been played. The DFL explained: “By adapting the guidelines on the game rules, the corresponding display should be stopped as before at the end of the regular playing time, but the injury time that has actually already been played should at the same time be shown separately on the scoreboard or video screen in the stadium.” The change is made “particularly in the interests of the spectators as well as the clubs, players and media representatives”.
The DFL also decided to adjust the regulations for loan players. Accordingly, all clubs in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga must have at least twelve German licensed players under contract at the time of a competitive game and have them on the list of eligibility to play.
From the coming season, up to two German licensed players will also be taken into account who are on loan to a German club that plays at least in the regional league in the respective season – provided they are no more than 23 years old in that season. This point was also passed unanimously.