Although Bayer Leverkusen couldn`t defend their Bundesliga or DFB Cup titles in the 2024/25 season, they still earned significant recognition by winning the DFL`s Pitch of the Season award.
The German Football League (DFL) recognized a total of six clubs across both leagues for maintaining outstanding pitch quality throughout the campaign.
In the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg`s Volkswagen Arena pitch was ranked second, with Bayern Munich`s Allianz Arena securing third place.
Bundesliga 2 saw Fortuna Düsseldorf take first place for their impressive pitch at the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA. Hertha Berlin secured second position, and Darmstadt finished third in the second division standings.
Watch: A drone flight through the BayArena (Note: The original video content is not included in this text format)
All six winning clubs will receive a certificate acknowledging their achievement. The clubs that finished first in both the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 will also be awarded a trophy.
The official presentation of these awards is scheduled to take place in September at the 17th meeting for greenkeepers involved with pitches in the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2, the third division, and the Google Pixel Women`s Bundesliga.
The winners at a glance
Bundesliga
- 1st place: Bayer Leverkusen – BayArena
- 2nd place: Wolfsburg – Volkswagen Arena
- 3rd place: Bayern Munich – Allianz Arena
Bundesliga 2
- 1st place: Fortuna Düsseldorf – MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA
- 2nd place: Hertha Berlin – Olympiastadion
- 3rd place: Darmstadt – Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor
Fortuna Düsseldorf`s MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA pitch was recognized.
Evaluation procedure
The assessment process was carried out by an expert jury. This jury consists of three members from the DFL Expert Commission responsible for Safeguarding Turf Quality in Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 stadiums, who are also members of the German Turf Society (DRG e.V.).
Award background
The DFL introduced the ‘Pitch of the Year’ award in the 2013/14 season with the goal of promoting and improving pitch quality in Germany`s top two football leagues. As the standards and characteristics expected of pitches continue to rise, this award serves to continually support the DFL`s efforts in developing and upholding high-quality requirements for stadium pitches.
About the evaluation system
The evaluation for the award is based on performance across three distinct categories: the ‘sport rating system’, on-site ‘jury measurement data checks’, and seasonal measurement data collected from the ‘self-test of stadium greenkeeping’.
The ‘sport rating system’ involves feedback from team captains of the participating clubs and the match referees, who provide their assessment of the pitch condition following Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 fixtures.
