When and why does the Bundesliga have its winter break and how long does it last?

Dec 28, 2025 - 11:00

There are, however, good reasons for what the Germans call Die Winterpause. It allows players and staff a chance to recharge their batteries before getting back to the daily grind of winning games.

Perhaps in a more practical sense, though, it also comes down to the simple fact of the weather. With average January temperatures traditionally below freezing across Germany, it makes sense to take a breather when snowballs are easier to kick than footballs, and to stage games might require ice skates rather than studs, not just for the players — undersoil heating in Germany's stadia usually helps them out with that — but for fans hoping to see their heroes in action.

Watch: It's snow joke! Cologne and Freiburg scored seven in a snowstorm in 2017/18