The Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) underwent significant changes in the 2025/26 season. Ahead of the Grand Final, we spoke to Felix Rentschler, Head of the VBL, about these changes, the league's international and local importance, and how they plan to reach their target audience.
Thirty-two players will compete in the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) Grand Final for the German championship title, a share of the €100,000 prize fund, and places at the EA FC Pro World Championship and the UEFA eChampions League. This esports event will take place at Xperion in Hamburg, where the 2026 VBL Club Championship also took place. On Saturday 18 April, doors open at 17:00, with the round of 16 starting at 18:00. On Sunday (19 April), doors open at 14:00. Admission is free. Ahead of this major event, we spoke to Felix Rentschler, Head of Virtual Bundesliga, about the changes to the competition format, the importance of in-person events and how the Virtual Bundesliga compares internationally. We also asked him about the importance of the VBL for Germany as an esports location, and where he thinks this league stands.
GamesMarkt: How satisfied were you and the DFL with the recent VBL Club Championship 2026 final?
Felix Rentschler: "We can draw a very positive overall conclusion about the 2026 final of the VBL Club Championship by WOW. The competition impressed on several levels – from the reach achieved and the execution of the event to the atmosphere on site and the sporting excitement throughout the tournament."
"Particularly noteworthy from our perspective is this year’s post-event coverage in traditional German media. We succeeded in bringing the competition into relevant formats such as ARD-Tagesthemen (very popular news program) and Sportschau (main free-TV show for Bundesliga highlights). This shows that the VBL is increasingly being recognized beyond the gaming and eSports community and is gaining media relevance."
"Overall, the final was a very fitting conclusion to the first season in the new competition format."
GamesMarkt: How important are in-person events with an audience for the VBL? And what was the atmosphere and reaction of the audience in Hamburg like? How many people were there?
Felix Rentschler: "Our strategy clearly follows the “digital first” approach, as the majority of our reach is generated via streaming and social media platforms. Nevertheless, in-person events remain important because they add atmosphere and additional value to the media product."
"In Hamburg, the atmosphere was correspondingly intense. Several teams had brought fans with them – especially vocal ones from Dortmund, Mönchengladbach, and Freiburg. The excitement in the Xperion was particularly palpable during the final and erupted loudly every time a goal was scored."
GamesMarkt: Looking back, how would you evaluate the change in the tournament format? What makes the showdown format so interesting? Could you also briefly outline what exactly was changed and why?
Felix Rentschler: "With the 2025/26 season, we fundamentally changed the competition format and deliberately moved away from the previous weekly matchday rhythm. Instead, the season is now based on the so-called showdown format. From October to February, five qualifying tournaments took place – the showdowns in Leipzig, Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin, and Stuttgart. Each showdown consisted of an online qualification phase, in which the best 16 teams were determined, and an offline knockout phase, where these teams competed against each other in front of an audience and collected additional points for the overall ranking."
"These showdowns created an overarching season ranking, through which clubs qualified for the playoffs and ultimately for the final of the VBL Club Championship by WOW."
