Bundesliga Standings - Table
The Bundesliga table is the ultimate measuring stick - not only does it crown the German king of football but it also decides who's joining the European elite and who's facing the drop.
European Qualification - The Dream Ticket
At the end of a normal season:
- The top 4 clubs are off to the Champions League to compete against the best of the best
- 5th place gets a Europa League ticket - the next best thing
- 6th place earns a Europa Conference League spot - still a foot in the door for the Champions League
It's possible for up to 6 teams to make the grade for European football, depending on how they do in the domestic cup.
Relegation - Survival of the Fittest
- The last 2 teams in the table go down to the 2nd tier - no second chances
- 16th place has one last shot - they play off against a team from the 2nd tier in a relegation decider
The way the relegation system is set up makes for nail-biting drama and keeps the whole table on its toes right up to the final whistle.
The League's Top Dogs
Over the years, these teams have made the Bundesliga their own:
- Bayern Munich - by a country mile the most successful
- Borussia Dortmund and Mönchengladbach are never far behind
- Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV have had their moments too
Of course, Bayern's dominance has left an indelible mark on the league - but more recently, other teams have shown they can mix it with the best.
The Top Dogs - Golden Boot Winners
The Bundesliga Golden Boot is one of the biggest individual awards in the sport.
In recent years, we've seen some top talent score big:
- Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have put on a show, among others
- Robert Lewandowski