The 1. Bundesliga is the top professional football league in Germany, established in 1963. It features 18 teams that compete annually for the championship title. The league operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of German football. Each season, teams play 34 matches, facing each opponent twice, once at home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the champion. The league is known for its passionate fan base and competitive matches, making it one of the most popular football leagues in Europe.