Extraordinary General Meeting of the German Football League sets future direction with bold new decisions

Last week, the GFL e. V. league association held its extraordinary general meeting, which traditionally takes place the day after the GFL Bowl, at the Feldschlößchen headquarters in Dresden. This meeting not only reflected on the 2025 season but also laid the foundation for groundbreaking decisions that will shape the future of Germany’s highest American football leagues.

Reflecting on a successful season
The mood was upbeat as GFL clubs, league officials, and representatives from the AFVD gathered to celebrate the 2025 season. Everyone was buzzing about the excitement on the field, and the reports coming in from refereeing, match operations, media work, and marketing were all positive. It was clear that the collaboration between clubs and the league association was paying off, and members were thrilled about the lively exchanges that have been happening.

Groundbreaking resolutions for the future
With the good vibes from the season, the meeting turned its focus to the future. Several important resolutions were passed with broad support, aimed at professionalizing and standardizing the structures within Germany’s top leagues. These decisions are set to make a real difference in how the leagues are organized, marketed, and presented to fans.

GFL infrastructure plan officially adopted
One of the standout moments was the adoption of the new GFL infrastructure plan, which received a warm welcome. This plan will serve as a solid foundation for licensing and will help clubs in their discussions with local municipalities about improving facilities.

League association chairman Axel Streich explained that the plan is all about supporting the growth of GFL locations:

“It creates transparency and helps the clubs to initiate necessary developments.”

The infrastructure plan will go through a test phase in the 2026 season, with a binding application set for the 2027 season.

Uniform kickoff times for better visibility
Another exciting decision was the introduction of uniform kickoff times in the ERIMA GFL. Starting in the 2026 season, Saturday games will kick off at 16:00, making it easier for fans, media partners, and TV broadcasts to plan ahead. Any changes to this schedule will need special approval, while Sunday game times will stay the same.

New GFL online shop launching in 2026
The meeting also revealed plans for a central GFL online shop, set to launch in May 2026. This new platform will complement existing club merchandise and give teams more marketing opportunities.

Changes in GFL 2 structure
In a move to shake things up in GFL 2, it was decided that from the 2026 season, there will be two semi-finals leading to a Championship Game. The top two teams from the North and South groups will qualify for these semi-finals. Plus, a regional division will be introduced for seasons where both GFL 2 groups have eight teams, starting in 2027.

Looking ahead
As the meeting wrapped up, there was a sense of excitement and optimism for the future of the German Football League. Streich noted the strong agreement among clubs on key issues, reinforcing the commitment to steady and consistent growth in German football. With these new decisions in place, the GFL is gearing up for an even brighter future, and fans can look forward to some thrilling seasons ahead!