Bundesliga’s Iconic Meisterschale Grows Again to Secure Space for Next 30 Years
The most coveted prize in German football is getting a bit heavier. The Meisterschale, the legendary championship shield awarded to the winners of the Bundesliga, has undergone a significant expansion to ensure there is ample room for the names of future champions.
In a move announced on April 15, 2026, the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga confirmed that the trophy’s outer ring has been replaced with a larger version. This redesign isn’t just a cosmetic update; it is a practical necessity to accommodate the continuing history of the league. According to the league, the current expansion creates enough space for the next 30 years of title winners.
The Engineering of a Legend
Expanding a piece of sporting history is a delicate operation. The DFL commissioned the renowned silver manufacturer Koch & Bergfeld to handle the redesign. The process required the trophy to be completely disassembled and fundamentally restored before the new components were integrated.
The most notable change is the new outer ring, which now features five bands—two more than the previous version. To make room for future engravings, all German champions from 1982 onward have been moved and engraved onto this new ring. The physical presence of the trophy has increased as a result; the Meisterschale now weighs more than 11 kilograms and possesses a diameter of 56 cm.
A History of Growth
This is not the first time the “Salatschüssel”—the colloquial “salad bowl” as it is known among fans and players—has had to grow. Given that the trophy immortalizes every German champion since 1903, the available surface area has historically dwindled as the decades passed.
The trophy first saw a major expansion in 1981. During that update, a silver ring was added, featuring engraving plates and five tourmaline cabochons totaling 71.98 carats set in gold. A second expansion occurred just before the 2008/09 season finale, which saw the addition of five larger engraving plates to accommodate more names.
From Victoria to the Bowl
To understand the prestige of the Meisterschale, one has to glance back to the early 20th century. From 1903 until the end of World War II, the champions were awarded a statue known as “Victoria.” However, the statue disappeared during the final stages of the war, leading to the creation of a new trophy.
In 1949, the Meisterschale was introduced to replace the lost statue. It was designed and crafted by art professor Elisabeth Treskow at the Cologne School of Arts, and Crafts. While the Victoria statue eventually resurfaced after German reunification, the bowl had already develop into the definitive symbol of success in German football.
For context, the Bundesliga as we know it today began in the 1963–64 season, but the trophy continues to honor the lineage of all German champions dating back to the original 1903 competitions.
Replicas and the Second Division
Because the original trophy is a singular, historical artifact, the DFB (German Football Association) introduced a system of replicas in the 1980s. Clubs with multiple championships were allowed to create slightly smaller replicas for their own trophy cabinets.
These replicas serve a strategic purpose during the final matchdays of the season. When multiple clubs are still in contention for the title, the original trophy is typically sent to the current league leader. If a different club ultimately wins the title, a replica is awarded at the ceremony until the original can be transferred.
Meanwhile, the second tier of German football has its own version of the prize. Introduced in the 2008/09 season, the 2. Bundesliga trophy is a hubcap-shaped shield. While it mirrors the design of the original, it is often referred to colloquially—and sometimes derisively—as the Meisterfelge (Champions’ hubcap) or Radkappe (wheel cover).
Meisterschale Quick Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current Weight | Over 11 kg |
| Current Diameter | 56 cm |
| Designer | Elisabeth Treskow (1949) |
| Expansion History | 1981, 2009, 2026 |
| Capacity | Space secured for next 30 years |
As the 2025/26 Bundesliga season heads toward its climax, the updated trophy stands ready. The next champion will be the first to have their name engraved on the newly expanded outer ring, marking a new chapter for one of the most recognizable trophies in global sports.
The league will provide further updates as the season concludes and the winner is officially crowned.
Do you reckon the Meisterschale is the most iconic trophy in European football? Let us know in the comments.
