The Austrian Bundesliga and the German Bundesliga may share a name, but their league structures, team dynamics, and seasonal narratives offer two entirely different footballing experiences. A closer look at the standings of the 2024–25 Austrian Bundesliga and German Bundesliga reveals a compelling tale of contrasting formats, competitive balance, and league identity. If you want to stay updated on the German top-tier league, visit Bundesliga for more coverage.
League Formats: Different Paths to Glory
Both leagues kicked off in the same European football window but unfolded quite differently due to the way they are structured. The Austrian Bundesliga operates with just twelve clubs, making it one of Europe’s most compact top divisions. After a regular double round-robin phase where each team plays 22 matches, the league splits into two: the Championship Round for the top six teams and the Relegation Round for the bottom six. What makes Austria’s system unique is that teams begin the playoff phase with their regular-season points halved (and rounded down), intensifying the competition.
In contrast, the German Bundesliga sticks with a classic format, featuring 18 teams that play 34 matchdays in a straightforward double round-robin format. The top team at the end of the season becomes the champion, while the bottom two are relegated outright and the 16th-placed team enters a playoff with a 2. Bundesliga side.
Champions of the 2024–25 Season
The 2024–25 season in Austria was a historic one. Sturm Graz successfully defended their league title, winning the Austrian Bundesliga again in May 2025. This marked their second consecutive league victory and their fifth championship overall. They faced tough competition from Austria Wien and Red Bull Salzburg, especially heading into the Championship Round. Austria Wien and Sturm Graz both entered the playoffs tied at 23 points (after the halving), while Salzburg began slightly behind at 19. Despite this, Sturm managed to pull ahead and secure the title in a highly contested finish.
Meanwhile, in Germany, Bayern Munich reclaimed their dominance after a brief interruption. Bayer Leverkusen, who were the 2023–24 champions with an unbeaten campaign, could not maintain their momentum this season. Bayern sealed their 33rd Bundesliga title on May 4, 2025, two matches before the end of the season. With their usual depth and consistency, they overcame Leverkusen, who finished second, while Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund completed the top four, earning their places in the UEFA Champions League. The rest of the top seven featured SC Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart, and Mainz 05—clubs that had remarkable seasons to earn spots in European competitions.
Competitive Balance and League Dynamics
When it comes to overall competitive balance, the Austrian Bundesliga tends to be more unpredictable due to its mid-season point reset and smaller number of teams. This system keeps the championship and relegation battles alive even for teams that don’t perform spectacularly in the first phase.
In contrast, the German Bundesliga demands consistency over 34 matches, rewarding teams that can maintain form across an entire season. While Bayern remains a perennial favorite, the likes of Leverkusen, Frankfurt, and Freiburg showed that competition for the top spots remains fierce.
Goals, Performances, and Key Moments
In terms of goals and standout performances, the Austrian league offered its share of drama. Ronivaldo of Sturm Graz was the top scorer with 14 goals, followed closely by Otar Kiteishvili of the same club and Maurice Malone of Austria Wien. The highest-scoring match of the season came when Sturm Graz dismantled Austria Klagenfurt with a 7–0 victory, which also stood as the season’s biggest home win. Salzburg maintained the longest unbeaten streak at 12 games, while Austria Wien enjoyed the longest winning run with eight consecutive victories. On the other end of the spectrum, Altach endured a painful 14-match winless stretch.
In Germany, the 2024–25 Bundesliga season produced a total of 959 goals across 306 matches, slightly down from the 985 scored in the previous campaign. Bayern Munich recorded several emphatic wins, including a 6–1 demolition of Holstein Kiel and 5–0 routs against Bochum and Werder Bremen. Leverkusen and Frankfurt also provided offensive firepower, while Freiburg’s push to fifth place was marked by solid teamwork and tactical consistency.
European Qualification and Relegation Battles
European qualification and relegation battles shaped the final weeks of both leagues. In Austria, Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg secured Champions League spots, while Austria Wien qualified for the Europa League. Wolfsberg, who had a strong playoff finish, earned a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds. Unfortunately for Austria Klagenfurt, the season ended in disappointment as they were relegated to the second division.
Over in Germany, Bayern, Leverkusen, Frankfurt, and Dortmund took the Champions League slots. Freiburg earned a Europa League ticket, Stuttgart advanced to the Europa Conference League, and Mainz booked a European place through domestic competition results. The relegation zone delivered high tension, with Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum dropping out of the top flight, while Heidenheim narrowly avoided relegation by surviving the playoff.
Playing Styles and League Identity
Stylistically, the Austrian Bundesliga is shaped by its playoff format, encouraging clubs to approach the regular season with a balance of caution and ambition. Once the playoffs begin, the intensity skyrockets, and smaller clubs have the opportunity to punch above their weight.
The German Bundesliga, on the other hand, rewards endurance and consistency. Teams need squad depth, strategic rotation, and long-term planning to succeed across such a demanding calendar. The difference in structures results in distinct league identities—Austria offers sudden bursts of drama, while Germany delivers steady high-quality competition.
Attendance, Finances, and Growth
Attendance and finances also reflect the contrast between the two leagues. The Austrian Bundesliga’s total attendance for 2024–25 was approximately 1.58 million, averaging just over 8,200 fans per match. While modest, these numbers highlight the strong local support and passionate club followings.
Germany, however, leads Europe in attendance figures almost every season. Bundesliga clubs regularly draw tens of thousands of fans each match, and iconic stadiums like the Allianz Arena and Signal Iduna Park set the standard for matchday experience. Financially, the German Bundesliga commands higher broadcasting deals, commercial partnerships, and international reach, enabling clubs to invest in star players and infrastructure.
The Key Storylines of the Season
Looking at the defining stories of each season, Austria’s was about Sturm Graz ending Salzburg’s long-standing dominance and maintaining their grip at the top in a fiercely competitive playoff structure. The format brought suspense and unpredictability, making every game after the point-halving meaningful.
Germany’s storyline centered on the reassertion of Bayern Munich’s superiority. After losing the title in dramatic fashion in 2023–24, Bayern came back determined and clinched the league with commanding performances. Leverkusen’s decline, Freiburg’s rise, and Heidenheim’s survival fight added further narrative depth to the season.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the Austrian Bundesliga and the German Bundesliga each offered fans a unique flavor of football. Austria’s league structure lends itself to thrilling shifts in momentum and tight finishes, perfect for fans who enjoy unexpected twists. Germany’s league, steeped in tradition and world-class talent, continues to be one of the most competitive and watched football leagues globally.
Whether you’re a fan of Austria’s strategic mid-season reset or Germany’s marathon of consistency, both leagues showcased the beauty and drama that make football so captivating.