All 36 applicants that qualified athletically are receiving a licence to participate in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 for the upcoming 2020-21 season. In the licensing process, sporting, legal, staffing, administrative, infrastructural and media-related criteria were examined in accordance with the licensing regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga with a view to ensuring honest and fair competition.

In accordance with the resolutions of the Members Assembly of 31 March 2020, the examination of financial criteria was suspended on this occasion. The aim of this decision was to give all of the clubs the time and opportunity to deal with the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and resume regular match operations so that all of the outstanding competitions can be completed on the pitch. Thus, every club that submitted complete documentation for the examination of economic performance met the financial criteria.

The next examination will take place during the upcoming 2020-21 season.