Berlin football in transition: Who will be the third force?

Berlin football in transition: Who will be the third force?

Berlin, Deutschland - On June 9, 2025, Horst Bläsig, editor of the “Football Week”, illuminates the current situation in Berlin football. The discussion is primarily about the lack of clear third force that could stand behind the traditional clubs Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin. Berlin football is strongly shattered, which is shown in the fact that 16 of the 16 Berlin teams that play outside the Berlin League are currently one of the top clubs.

The regional league is represented by five Berlin clubs, but there are no clear favorites here either. It is particularly striking that the number of spectators at 1. FC Union and FC Viktoria are growing steadily in women's football. The BFC Dynamo and Tennis Borussia (Tebe) are often mentioned as a potential third force. While Tebe is playing in the fifth-class Oberliga and is far from a top position, the BFC Dynamo has a large fan base, but suffers from a dilapidated venue.

challenges and strengths of the Berlin clubs

The Jahn Sportpark, the home of the BFC Dynamo, will not be usable until at least 2028, which makes the situation considerably more difficult for the association. In the past, FC Viktoria was active in professional football for some time, but in the 2021/22 season, the sporting descent into the fifth division was heralded. The economic and structural requirements in particular were not sufficient for this challenge.

The lack of stable structures was also shown in the change of four trainers and several sports directors last season. Investor models often seem to fail in the Berlin football scene, while the 1. FC Union relies on sustainable developments. In this difficult overall position, however, the BFC Preussen is a ray of hope: it has made the promotion to the regional league northeast and has good conditions to pursue sustainable development. However, a suitable venue is also necessary here to be really successful.

Further information about the BFC Dynamo and the sporting competitions in women's football can be found on kicker.de and kicker.de .