The system behind the “how do Bundesliga stars work” rule: why some German clubs have stars above their crest, how many they get, and what counts—or doesn’t—towards earning them. If you’ve ever wondered what the stars on Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or Werder Bremen jerseys mean, this is for you.
What are the stars in the Bundesliga
Many football fans see stars above club badges and assume they’re just decorative or represent success in Europe. In the Bundesliga, though, stars are official badges of honour regulated by the German Football League (Deutsche Fußball Liga, or DFL). They represent Bundesliga titles won since the Bundesliga’s foundation in 1963-64, and only those count. Titles from Germany’s historic championships before the Bundesliga (pre-1963) and from East Germany’s league are excluded under current rules. Thus, the “star system” is about modern Bundesliga success.
How many stars do clubs get—and when
The DFL introduced the stars rule in 2004 to allow clubs with multiple Bundesliga championships to display stars above their crest and on their shorts.
Here are the thresholds that clubs must reach to earn stars:
| Number of Bundesliga titles since 1963/64 | Number of Stars awarded |
| 3 titles | 1 star |
| 5 titles | 2 stars |
| 10 titles | 3 stars |
| 20 titles | 4 stars |
| 30 titles | 5 stars Bundesliga) |
For example, Bayern Munich now wear five stars because they have crossed the threshold of 30 Bundesliga championships since 1963.
Clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach have two stars because they have won five Bundesliga titles each. Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV, VfB Stuttgart each have one star (for reaching three titles) under that same system.
Special rules and design details
Knowing the thresholds is only part of the explanation—there are also design rules and peculiarities that fans often find interesting:
- The stars must be placed adjacent to the club logo (normally above the crest on shirts, sometimes also on shorts).
- Size matters: stars must comply with guidelines (for example, height and width between certain millimeters in official matchwear).
- Only Bundesliga titles (post-1963) count. Historic German championships before the Bundesliga or championships from East German leagues are not included in the star count. Clubs may still celebrate them in their crest or club history, but those don’t grant stars under the DFL rules.
Why is the system set up this way?
Setting up a star system serves several purposes:
- Recognition of modern success – Bundesliga as a unified competition began in 1963-64. By considering only titles since then, the system rewards clubs for success in the current league format.
- Motivation for clubs – Getting to three, five, ten, etc., titles sets milestones. It gives clubs goals, and fans something tangible to track.
- Prestige and branding – Stars are visible signs of dominance. Wearing more stars is powerful from a branding standpoint: the badge itself becomes part of a club’s identity.
The DFL’s rules ensure that stars don’t become meaningless by over-crowding: only achievable milestones, well spaced out.
Cases and controversies
Like any system, there are edge cases and debates. Here are a few that come up often:
- Bayern Munich had to wait to add their fifth star even after reaching 30 Bundesliga titles (counting since 1963) because the rule only allows that star when the threshold is physically passed.
- Some fans ask: what about titles won before 1963, or championships in East Germany? Although clubs do celebrate them historically, those titles don’t count for the star badges under current DFL rules.
- Occasionally, questions arise about whether more stars will be added in the future for higher thresholds (e.g. after 30, then 40 titles). As of now, the rule is clearly defined up to five stars (30 titles). No public rule yet for thresholds beyond that.
Quick reference: current clubs with stars
Here are some Bundesliga clubs and how many stars they currently have, based on their title counts since 1963:
- Bayern Munich → 5 stars (30+ Bundesliga titles)
- Borussia Dortmund → 2 stars (5 titles)
- Borussia Mönchengladbach → 2 stars
- Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV, VfB Stuttgart → 1 star each
Common misconceptions
It’s easy to get confused. Here are some things people often misunderstand:
- The stars are not for overall German championships across all eras. Pre-Bundesliga championships and East German titles do not count for the stars.
- The system is not linear or one star per title—you don’t get one star for one, two or even four titles. You must hit thresholds (3, 5, 10, 20, 30).
- Holding more or fewer stars does not affect competition or ranking—this is purely symbolic.
Conclusion
The system of how do Bundesliga stars work gives fans a clear framework: stars are awarded for Bundesliga titles since the league’s founding in 1963, under rules set by the DFL in 2004. Milestones are 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 titles, respectively earning. It’s as much about honour and identity as it is about success.
If you enjoyed learning this, JeansPitch encourages you to explore more: check your favourite club’s title history, compare star systems in other leagues, or dive into pre-Bundesliga German championship tales. Want us next to break down how stars work in Serie A or the Premier League-style systems? Let us know.
