Volleyball Bundesliga

What Volleyball Bundesliga does

Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) is the official organizer of Germany's professional volleyball league system, operating seven national league divisions across two tiers with a combined 93 teams and a record 1,253 matches scheduled for the 2026/27 season. Its core competition portfolio includes the 1. Bundesliga Frauen (12 teams), 1. Bundesliga Männer (14 teams), and five second-tier divisions (Sparda 2. Liga Pro, 2. Bundesliga Frauen Nord/Süd, 2. Bundesliga Männer Nord/Süd), supplemented by the Thüringer Wald Supercup (women's season opener), Ligacup (men's season opener), and the Zoi DVV-Pokal national cup. The organization runs the central VBL-SAMS (Verbandsadministrationssystem) platform for club registrations, match scheduling, statistics, and member administration, and operates a multi-channel digital presence via its website, VBL-Ticker live service, VBL-Wiki, and active social media on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

VBL's business model combines three revenue streams: exclusive broadcasting rights through its partnership with Dyn (which streams all 1. and 2. Bundesliga matches live and on-demand), ticket sales from regular-season matches and special events (with Ligacup 2026 day tickets priced from 12 EUR on Fridays and 25 EUR on weekends), and a sponsorship portfolio anchored by Mikasa (official ball partner since 2002, renewed 2021), Sparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg (youth partner and naming sponsor of Sparda 2. Liga Pro through 2027), Zoi (naming sponsor of the DVV-Pokal), and complementary partners including Sport1, FINN, Kühne+Nagel, Gerflor, and Mizuno. The league is headquartered in Berlin, privately organized, and managed by Geschäftsführerin Kim Oszvald-Renkema with a staff of 11-50.

VBL serves four primary constituencies: 93 member clubs (professional and semi-professional) requiring league administration, scheduling, and European qualification pathways to CEV competitions; volleyball fans accessing content through Dyn streaming, venue attendance, and digital channels; media partners (Dyn primary, Sport1 secondary); and corporate sponsors seeking visibility through league, cup, and team-level partnerships. The 2027 Zoi DVV-Pokalfinale relocation to LANXESS arena in Cologne, the FT 1844 Freiburg merger-driven expansion of the men's top tier, and the record 2026/27 match schedule collectively indicate a deliberate program of structural scaling within the constraints of volleyball's tier-two position in the German sports market.

Name

Volleyball Bundesliga

Legal name

Volleyball Bundesliga

Website

https://volleyball-bundesliga.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) organizes Germany's professional volleyball league system, operating seven divisions with 93 teams and a record 1,253 matches in 2026/27. It serves member clubs, fans, broadcast partner Dyn, and corporate sponsors including Mikasa and Sparda-Bank BW.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports League Management

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Volleyball Leagues (MPAKAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Team Sports Clubs (Football/Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, etc.) (MPAKABAA)

Keywords

• Professional volleyball league
• Sports league management
• Volleyball competition organization
• League administration system
• Sports event broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Broadcasting Rights: Exclusive media rights partnership with Dyn for live and on-demand streaming of all 1. and 2. Bundesliga matches, generating revenue through broadcasting agreements and media partnerships.
2. Ticket Sales: Direct ticket revenue from matches across all league divisions, including special events like Supercup, Pokalfinale, and Ligacup. Pricing ranges from 12 EUR for single day tickets to multi-day packages.
3. Sponsorship & Partnerships: Naming rights, official partner arrangements, and sponsorship deals with companies including Sparda-Bank BW (Sparda 2. Liga Pro naming rights), Regionalverbund Thüringer Wald (Supercup naming), and official ball partner Mikasa since 2002.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) operates the German volleyball league system, organizing seven Bundesliga divisions (1. Bundesliga Frauen/Männer, Sparda 2. Liga Pro, and four regional 2. Bundesliga divisions) with 93 teams competing in up to 1,253 matches per season. It administers league operations through the proprietary VBL-SAMS system, coordinates season-opening events (Thüringer Wald Supercup, Ligacup) and the national cup (Zoi DVV-Pokal), and distributes match content through an exclusive streaming partnership with Dyn and secondary broadcaster Sport1.

Product overview

Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) operates the German volleyball league system consisting of seven national leagues across two tiers. The portfolio includes the 1. Bundesliga Frauen (12 teams), 1. Bundesliga Männer (14 teams), and five 2. Bundesliga divisions (Sparda 2. Liga Pro, 2. BLF Nord, 2. BLF Süd, 2. BLM Nord, 2. BLM Süd). Associated competitions include the Thüringer Wald Supercup (women's season opener), Ligacup (men's season opener), and Zoi DVV-Pokal (national cup). The VBL website serves as the central platform providing schedules, standings, statistics, team/player information, and access to Dyn streaming. VBL-SAMS is the internal member administration system. Youth development is supported through the Sparda BW x Nachwuchs initiative with Sparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VBL-SAMS: Verbandsadministrationssystem - Member administration system for the Volleyball Bundesliga
• VBL-Wiki
• VBL-Ticker
• Zoi DVV-Pokal
• Thüringer Wald Supercup
• Ligacup
• Sparda 2. Liga Pro
• Home of Respect

Products and services

• 1. Bundesliga Frauen Top-tier women's professional volleyball league in Germany featuring 12 teams competing for the German championship through main round and playoffs format, with qualification pathways to CEV Champions League, CEV Cup, and CEV Challenge Cup.
• 1. Bundesliga Männer Top-tier men's professional volleyball league in Germany with 14 teams competing for the German championship through main round and playoffs format, with qualification pathways to CEV Champions League, CEV Cup, and CEV Challenge Cup.
• Sparda 2. Liga Pro Second-tier women's professional volleyball league (Pro division) featuring 13 teams competing for promotion to the 1. Bundesliga, with naming rights held by Sparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg.
• 2. Bundesliga Frauen Nord Northern division of the third-tier women's volleyball league in Germany.
• 2. Bundesliga Frauen Süd Southern division of the third-tier women's volleyball league in Germany.
• 2. Bundesliga Männer Nord Northern division of the second-tier men's volleyball league in Germany.
• 2. Bundesliga Männer Süd Southern division of the second-tier men's volleyball league in Germany, featuring playoffs to determine overall champion.
• Zoi DVV-Pokal German national volleyball cup competition for men and women, organized in partnership with the Deutscher Volleyball-Verband (DVV) and naming-sponsored by Zoi, culminating in an annual final event.
• Thüringer Wald Supercup Season-opening cup competition for women's volleyball featuring the German champion versus cup winner matchup, held annually as the first title of the season, with naming rights held by Regionalverbund Thüringer Wald.
• Ligacup Season-opening tournament for men's volleyball featuring the top teams of the 1. Bundesliga competing in a knockout format to determine the first title of the season.
• VBL-SAMS (Verbandsadministrationssystem) Proprietary member administration system providing authenticated access for league members, clubs, and officials to manage registrations, statistics, match schedules, and administrative tasks across all Bundesliga divisions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93 teams competing across 7 Bundesliga divisions in Season 2026/27
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DyncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Dyn is the exclusive media partner of the Volleyball Bundesliga, providing live and on-demand streaming of all 1. and 2. Bundesliga matches. The partnership includes exclusive YouTube streaming of events, live draws for cup competitions, and comprehensive volleyball coverage. Dyn also serves as media partner for events including Ligacup draws and Zoi DVV-Pokal ceremonies.
• MikasacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2002Mikasa has been the official ball partner of Volleyball Bundesliga since 2002 (originally DVL - Deutsche Volleyball Liga). The partnership was renewed in 2021 for another four years. Mikasa supplies balls, ball carts, ball bags, and mini-balls to the Bundesliga and its teams. Brand Manager Frank Streißle emphasizes Mikasa's philosophy of passion for ball sports as the foundation of the partnership.
• Sparda-Bank Baden-WürttembergcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg serves as Official Youth Partner (Offizieller Nachwuchspartner) of the Volleyball Bundesliga and naming sponsor of the Sparda 2. Liga Pro. The partnership runs through 2027 and focuses on youth development, financial support for training costs, expansion of youth performance centers, and increasing media visibility for young players.
• IST-StudieninstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership supporting professional volleyball players and club employees with continuing education and degree programs. The IST-Studieninstitut and IST-Hochschule für Management provide flexible learning options including dual study programs specifically designed for volleyball professionals, supporting the 'Karriere nach der Karriere' (career after sports) initiative.
• Regionalverbund Thüringer Wald e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism organization that acquired naming rights for the Thüringer Wald Supercup 2026. The partnership combines sports excellence with regional tourism marketing, bringing the Supercup to the HUK-COBURG arena in Coburg and promoting the Thüringer Wald region to a national audience.
• ZoicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerZoi is the naming sponsor of the Zoi DVV-Pokal, Germany's national volleyball cup competition. The partnership includes Zoi DVV-Pokalfinale 2027, which will be held for the first time in the LANXESS arena Köln, Germany's largest multifunction arena.
• Sport1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSport1 is a media partner providing volleyball Bundesliga coverage through its television channel and digital platforms, complementing the main Dyn streaming partnership.
• FINNminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFINN serves as mobility partner, redirecting users to car subscription services and receiving referral compensation through affiliate arrangements displayed on VBL website.
• Kühne+NagelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational logistics company listed as official partner of Volleyball Bundesliga, providing logistics and supply chain expertise.
• GerflorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlooring specialist providing sports flooring solutions, listed as official partner for volleyball court surfaces.
• MizunominorGTM or Marketing PartnerJapanese sports equipment manufacturer listed as official partner, providing athletic apparel and equipment for volleyball.
• CEVcoreOthersEuropean Volleyball Confederation (CEV) partnership enabling German clubs to participate in international competitions: CEV Champions League, CEV Cup, and CEV Challenge Cup. Both 1. Bundesliga Frauen and Männer have dedicated pages linking to CEV competition portals.
• DVVcoreOthersDeutscher Volleyball-Verband (German Volleyball Association) partnership for organizing national competitions including Zoi DVV-Pokal and youth development programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Deutscher Volleyball-Verband (DVV): German national volleyball federation partnering with VBL on DVV-Pokal and youth development. Related ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor; co-organizes national cup and youth pathways that VBL commercializes.
• Dyn Media: VBL's exclusive streaming and media partner. Highly relevant ecosystem participant whose commercial health directly impacts VBL's distribution reach and broadcasting revenue; also serves as content partner for events and YouTube broadcasts.

Regional players

• Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol (CBV): Brazilian volleyball governing body and operator of the Superliga. Comparable as a national volleyball competition organizer with multi-tier men's and women's leagues, but serving a different geography (Brazil) than VBL.
• Türkiye Voleybol Federasyonu (TVF): Turkish Volleyball Federation operating Sultanlar Ligi (women) and Efeler Ligi (men). Comparable as a national volleyball competition organizer with professional club structure, but primarily serving Turkey rather than Germany.

Broad incumbents

• Handball-Bundesliga (HBL): Organizes Germany's top-tier professional handball leagues. Comparable as another German professional sports league organization with similar league structure, broadcasting deals, and sponsorship model, though for a different sport.
• Confédération Européenne de Volleyball (CEV): European Volleyball Confederation is the continental governing body that organizes European club competitions (Champions League, CEV Cup, Challenge Cup). Comparable as the higher-tier organizer whose competitions VBL clubs qualify into.
• Basketball Bundesliga (easyCredit BBL): Runs Germany's premier men's professional basketball league. Comparable as a national sports league body with club-based competition, sponsorship/naming rights, and broadcast distribution via media partners.

Direct peers

• Polska Liga Siatkówki (PlusLiga / TAURON Liga): Runs Poland's top professional volleyball leagues (PlusLiga men, TAURON Liga women). Closest functional peer given comparable league structure, named sponsorships, and central media-rights approach for professional volleyball.
• Ligue Nationale de Volley (France): Governs French professional volleyball (Ligue A Masculine, Ligue A Féminine). Comparable as a European national volleyball league body organizing top-tier men's and women's competitions.
• Lega Pallavolo Serie A (Italian Volleyball League): Operates Italy's top-tier professional volleyball leagues (Serie A1 and Serie A2) for men and women. Directly comparable as a national volleyball league organization with multi-tier structure, club-based competition, and similar media-rights and sponsorship model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VOLLEYBALL_BL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dynvolleyball
• Facebookfacebook.com/vbl
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/volleyball-bundesliga
• Instagraminstagram.com/volleyball_bundesliga_official
• TikToktiktok.com/@volleyball_bundesliga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Volleyball Bundesliga