The German Football League (DFL) is apparently close to founding a new youth league. In order to further promote talent development in Germany, a U21 league is to be introduced in the future.
The prerequisite for this is a majority of votes at the general meeting on March 3rd, when the DFL will vote on the establishment of game regulations. After SPORT1According to information, the chances are very high that gaming operations could start as early as summer 2026. The Bild reported first.
The league is said to be an offer from the DFL that gives the 36 professional clubs a lot of flexibility and scope. They have until June 15th to make the decision to take part in the first half series from August to December 2026. A second half-series is planned for January to April 2027.
U21 league: Probably no impact on regional league reform
In each half-series, similar to the new mode in the Champions League, the teams should play at least six games against different opponents, although the clubs can optionally play more games. After the two half-series are evaluated separately, a Final Four between the best two teams is scheduled to take place in May 2027. In the semi-finals, a game for third place and the final, a winner will be chosen.
The planned league apparently does not have any impact on a much-discussed reform of the regional league. While there is ongoing discussion about reducing the regional leagues from five to four, the second teams should not be removed from the existing system. Instead, the U21 league is considered purely an additional competition.
A big advantage for those involved is the low logistical effort and manageable costs, which should enable the competition to get started quickly. The games in the league phase should take place without spectators in order to keep the organizational effort (security concepts, catering, admission controls, etc.) to a minimum. Only at the Final Four, which could offer new TV marketing opportunities, is there a chance of admitting fans.
The teams are also given a lot of time when registering the squad for each game. Only the evening before does it have to be reported which players will be on the squad. In addition to U21 talents, up to four older professionals should also be allowed to play per club. On the one hand, players from the professional squad should be given the opportunity to gain match practice again after long injuries, and on the other hand, it should create a greater challenge for the U21 professionals.
Germany wants to promote talent promotion
There are also savings on travel costs, which, according to DFL calculations, should be 30,000 euros per club and season. This should be guaranteed by hosting games within a maximum radius of 250 kilometers. Third venues can also be considered in this way. For example, a game between Borussia Dortmund and Holstein Kiel could take place in Bremen.
Jürgen Klopp, who currently works as “Global Head of Soccer” at Red Bull, came out as a supporter of the idea last fall. He referred to a similar concept in England, the Premier League 2.
Max Eberl, FC Bayern’s sports director, expressed his opposition a few months ago. He sees the current solution – Bayern are represented with a U23 team in the regional league – as the best approach.
“I believe that men’s football is very good for the boys,” said Eberl in October. In his opinion, the only effect of a U21 league is that “the same people are playing against each other again”.
The players who don’t play regularly in the first team or the U19s could possibly be used: “And that means that the ones who actually should be are not supported.”
German talent is lagging behind
However, the league’s desired goal remains to increase talent development in German football and to create a transition area to professional football. That’s why unlimited substitutions should be possible during games in order to give as many players as possible match practice.
Compared to other European countries, German clubs are currently clearly lagging behind when it comes to talent development. Only nine academies are among the 100 most productive in Europe. In total, Germany only has 338 players from its own youth ranks, while there are 527 in Spain, 633 in France and 641 in England.
Almost 85 percent of the playing minutes are accounted for by purchased players. Only 2.4 percent of the minutes were played by players who were trained in Germany before their 16th birthday and who are a maximum of 23 years old. A further 5.2 percent are made up of talents who have been with the club since their 16th birthday and are now over 23 years old.
Also interested in the NFL? NEW: The NFL highlights in the video on SPORT1
