The German Frauen-BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga is undergoing a period of significant evolution, with clubs meticulously planning their rosters for the 2026/27 season. This strategic focus follows a 2025/26 campaign that saw the league expand from 12 to 14 teams, a move designed to elevate the profile and competitive standard of women's football in Germany.
FC Bayern Munich successfully defended their title in the 2025/26 season, securing their fourth consecutive championship with an undefeated record of 24 wins, 2 draws, and 0 losses, accumulating 74 points. VfL Wolfsburg finished second with 58 points, while Eintracht FrankfurtTeam·Eintracht Frankfurt claimed third place with 51 points. These top three teams earned qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League, with Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich entering the league phase directly and Wolfsburg and Eintracht FrankfurtTeam·Eintracht Frankfurt proceeding to the qualification rounds. At the other end of the table, SGS EssenTeam·SGS Essen and Carl Zeiss JenaTeam·Carl Zeiss Jena were relegated to the 2. BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, several prominent clubs have already confirmed or are close to finalizing significant squad adjustments. VfL Wolfsburg, runners-up in the previous season, will see the departure of German international Alexandra Popp, who is set to join Borussia DortmundTeam·Borussia Dortmund. In a notable incoming transfer, Sophia KleinhernePlayer·Sophia Kleinherne will move to VfL Wolfsburg from Eintracht FrankfurtTeam·Eintracht Frankfurt. Wolfsburg's pre-season schedule includes performance tests from July 7-9, training commencing on July 10, and friendlies against SV Meppen, PSV EindhovenTeam·PSV Eindhoven, and RB LeipzigTeam·RB Leipzig. They are also slated to face FC Bayern Munich in the Google Pixel SupercupCompetition·Google Pixel Supercup on August 15, 2026, ahead of the Frauen-BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga season start between August 21 and 24.
Champions FC Bayern Munich are also active in the transfer market. They have secured the services of Kassandra Potsi from SGS EssenTeam·SGS Essen for the upcoming season. On the outgoing side, Carolin Simon is set to transfer to Bayer LeverkusenTeam·Bayer Leverkusen, while England international Georgia StanwayPlayer·Georgia Stanway is reportedly nearing a move to ArsenalTeam·Arsenal.
Eintracht FrankfurtTeam·Eintracht Frankfurt is similarly reshaping its squad. The club will welcome Paulina KrumbiegelPlayer·Paulina Krumbiegel for the 2026/27 season. However, they face potential departures, with Elisa Senß rumored to be considering moves to Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich or abroad, and Geraldine ReutelerPlayer·Geraldine Reuteler reportedly heading to ArsenalTeam·Arsenal. As previously noted, Sophia KleinhernePlayer·Sophia Kleinherne has already completed her transfer to VfL Wolfsburg. The contract of German international striker Nicole Anyomi is set to expire in June 2026, with Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain reportedly expressing interest.
Perhaps the most ambitious moves are coming from Borussia DortmundTeam·Borussia Dortmund. Despite currently competing in the third-tier Regionalliga WestCompetition·Regionalliga West, Dortmund is making significant investments for the 2026/27 season. They have signed defender Lara Schmidt and midfielder Ricarda WalklingPlayer·Ricarda Walkling, both from Werder BremenTeam·Werder Bremen. The most impactful acquisition is German national team star Alexandra Popp from VfL Wolfsburg, who has signed a contract until June 30, 2029. This transfer, coupled with the appointment of Ralf Kellermann as Sporting Director until 2029, underscores Dortmund's clear intent to rapidly ascend through the leagues and establish a strong presence in the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga.
The 2026/27 Frauen-BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga season is scheduled to run from August 21, 2026, to May 23, 2027. The transfer windows align with the traditional European calendar, featuring a main summer window from July 1 to September 1 and a winter window in January. Clubs adhere to a squad size limit of 25 players, with a requirement for at least eight homegrown players who have trained in Germany for three or more seasons before the age of 21.
Giulia Gwinn (FC Bayern München Frauen, 7) shows emotion during the DFB-Pokal final. Credit: STEINSIEK.CH/IMAGO
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