The jerseys of the clubs in the German league

The Bundesliga since 1963: a unique league

The Bundesliga held its first matchday on August 24, 1963, with sixteen clubs, before expanding to eighteen in 1965; FC Cologne was its first champion. Its uniqueness lies in the 50+1 rule, which requires that the members' association retains the majority of voting rights in the club, protecting supporters from investors. It partly explains the standing terraces, full stadiums, and some of the most impressive atmospheres in Europe. In 2024, Bayer Leverkusen became the first club to finish a Bundesliga season without a single defeat, also claiming its first title in history.

The major German clubs and other leagues

Each major German club has its page: Bayern Munich and its red kits, Borussia Dortmund in yellow and black, Eintracht Frankfurt, winner of the Europa League in 2022, and RB Leipzig. Junior-sized kits are featured on the kids' Bundesliga page. To compare with other leagues, the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A also have their pages.

Bayern, Dortmund, Leipzig: clubs and their manufacturers

The Bayern Munich, record holder for German championship titles and six-time winner of the biggest cup in Europe, wears red and white under an adidas kit. The Borussia Dortmund, champion of Europe in 1997, has made its yellow and black and its south stand, the Yellow Wall, a signature known worldwide; Puma provides their kit. RB Leipzig, founded in 2009 and promoted to Bundesliga in 2016, also joined Puma in 2024, after ten years with another manufacturer. Bayer Leverkusen, established in 1904 by employees of the Bayer group, completes this quartet in red and black.

Jackets, windbreakers, prematch: the complete outfit of the German supporter

The Bundesliga clubs dress their supporters well beyond the shirt. For Bayern, the Tiro line from adidas includes windbreakers, trousers, and training tops in the club's colours, while the waterproof jacket protects against rainy Bavarian evenings. Borussia Dortmund responds with its Pumatech tracksuit jacket and matching Tech trousers. The prematch jersey, worn by players during warm-up, stands out as a key piece, and the kids' sizes mirror the home, away, and third kits. Bayern also dresses female supporters with the home shirt of its women's team.

When to buy a German club shirt

German clubs unveil their home kits in spring or early summer, followed by the rest of the range. Black Friday and the holiday season are great for gifts for a Bayern or BVB fan, which can be found in the Team Promos. The winter sales coincide with the winter break of the Bundesliga, the French Days of spring are listed on the Teams page, then summer sales and the resumption of training lead to older kits being marked down in Clearance.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between the Bundesliga and the second division?

The 2. Bundesliga is the second German division, it is also professional and contested by eighteen clubs. The top two teams are promoted directly, while the third plays a playoff against the sixteenth of the top tier.

Why does Bayer Leverkusen have the name of a company?

The club was founded in 1904 by employees of the chemical group Bayer, based in Leverkusen. It is one of the few exceptions to the 50+1 rule, with the company having continuously supported the club for over twenty years.

Do German shirts run small?

Sizes depend on the manufacturer: the adidas shirts from Bayern and Puma from Dortmund follow classic European size guides for supporters. The authentic version is much closer to the body, so take a size up if you choose it.

What is the Klassiker in Germany?

It’s the nickname for the clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the two most popular clubs in the country. Their rivalry began in the 1990s and peaked with the 2013 Champions League final at Wembley, won by Bayern.

What do the stars on Bundesliga shirts represent?

Since 2004, the league awards stars based on Bundesliga titles won since 1963: one star for three titles, two for five, three for ten, four for twenty, and five for thirty. Bayern is the only club to wear five stars.