German Football Reaches Historic Milestone: 8 Million Members and Growing Female Participation

Record membership numbers, increased referee participation, and enhanced qualification programs mark a transformative season for German football

German football has achieved unprecedented growth, with the German Football Association (DFB) reporting historic membership figures that reflect the sport’s evolving landscape. As the organization celebrates its 125th anniversary, the latest statistics reveal a dynamic shift toward younger and more diverse participation across the nation.

Historic Membership Milestone

For the first time in its 125-year history, the DFB has recorded more than eight million memberships across nearly 24,000 affiliated clubs. This represents a substantial 3.86 percent increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating the continued appeal of organized football in Germany.

The most significant growth occurred among young female players, with girls up to age 16 showing a remarkable 9 percent increase in participation. This trend underscores the growing inclusivity and accessibility of German football programs.

Leadership Perspectives on Growth

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf emphasized the significance of these developments: “It’s a strong sign that football in Germany continues to grow in many areas on the occasion of the DFB’s 125th anniversary. This shows how attractive and diverse amateur football is.”

However, Neuendorf also highlighted emerging challenges: “Some figures indicate that we are clearly reaching our capacity limits at the grassroots level. Therefore, we continue to advocate for suitable sports facilities for our clubs with politicians.”

Youth Football Driving Participation

The statistics reveal that children’s football serves as the primary driver of membership growth. Active player numbers reached 2.38 million in the 2024/2025 season, with youth categories showing particularly strong performance:

• Boys up to 14 years: 868,000 active players (4% increase)
• Girls up to 16 years: Nearly 119,000 active players (7% increase)
• Juniors aged 15-18: 327,000 active players (1.5% increase)

While adult participation remained stable, with men’s numbers holding steady at approximately 964,766 and women’s at 99,879, the youth surge indicates a promising future for German football.

Referee Renaissance Continues

One of the most encouraging developments is the continued growth in referee participation. For the first time in nearly a decade, more than 60,000 referees were active in a single season—representing a 4 percent increase. These officials managed nearly 1.4 million matches throughout the 2024/2025 season.

Ronny Zimmermann, DFB Vice President for Amateur Football, noted: “The positive trend among referees seemed impossible just a few years ago. The great interest in football requires a lot of commitment and trained personnel within the football system.”

Record-Breaking Qualification Programs

The DFB’s commitment to education and development reached new heights with almost 24,000 people receiving licenses or certifications—a 30 percent increase over the previous year. Key achievements include:

• DFB Basic Coach program: 7,261 completed training courses (136% increase)
• Children’s coach certificate: More than 5,000 awards
• C license: Over 6,600 certifications (27.5% increase)

These low-threshold programs, introduced as part of the Amateur Football Master Plan, have proven particularly effective in expanding coaching capabilities across German football.

Structural Developments

The organizational landscape of German football continues to evolve, with more than 140,000 teams now registered for competition—an increase attributed partly to numerous joint ventures since the pandemic’s end. However, the total number of clubs decreased slightly, falling below 24,000 for the first time to 23,868.

New player registrations exceeded 352,000 for the fourth consecutive year, significantly surpassing the 300,000 mark and indicating sustained interest in organized football participation.

Looking Forward

As German football celebrates this milestone anniversary, the statistics paint a picture of a sport successfully adapting to modern demographics while maintaining its grassroots foundation. The emphasis on youth development, female participation, and referee support positions the DFB well for continued growth in the coming years.

The challenge now lies in infrastructure development to support this growth, ensuring that the enthusiasm for football translates into sustainable participation opportunities for all members of German society.