Germany/Women's Bundesliga: clubs again rule out setting up a joint venture with the DFB

The creation of a joint venture (within a commercial company) between the Deutscher Fussball Bund and the 14 Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga clubs for the new German Women's League was once again ruled out at the first general meeting of the Frauen-Bundesliga FBL eV (association) held in Frankfurt am Main, on 05/02/2026.

"The positions and framework conditions communicated by the DFB in recent weeks for cooperation within the framework of a joint venture cannot be fulfilled. On the basis of these discussions, the FBL e.V. will seek further dialogue on alternative forms of partnership-based cooperation with the DFB," said the clubs in a joint statement.

The 14 clubs of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga had announced on 04/12/2025 that they would found the FBL eV "without the involvement of the DFB, contrary to the original plans". The clubs criticised the DFB for "calling into question a number of key points already negotiated" with a view to setting up the joint venture.

"The DFB regrets the association's decision not to organise the women's Bundesliga as part of a joint-venture…