Why are there no games on Easter Friday? | OneFootball

Why are there no Bundesliga games on Easter Friday?

Friday night fixtures have become a cherished Bundesliga ritual, kick-starting the weekend’s action with the promise of goals and high drama. But this Friday, a hush is set to descend on German football, with no games across the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 taking place anywhere across the country.

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It’s nothing new, either. Every year, one spring-time Friday demands peace and quiet – no flags, no fan marches and no beer-soaked celebrations in away ends.

Bayern Munich's clash against Freiburg is one of six at 3.30pm (CET) on Saturday 4 April, one more than usual. (DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann)

The reason is Karfreitag (Good Friday to the rest of us) – a significant day in Germany’s religious calendar. Falling two days before Easter Sunday, Karfreitag – which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ – is set aside as a time for reflection, reverence, and solemn observance of Christian traditions. As such, the day is bound by strict regulations that apply across all federal states. Public events, including sporting fixtures, are prohibited until the early hours of Saturday.

Bayer Leverkusen's clash with Wolfsburg also takes place on Saturday afternoon. (Stuart Franklin)

It’s not just the Bundesliga pressing pause. Across Germany, theatres, opera houses, music venues, and even Berlin’s famously debaucherous nightclubs will close their doors in respect of Karfreitag. Virtually every form of public entertainment – other than galleries, museums and zoos – is off the table from midnight Thursday until 6am Saturday. These rules aren’t just tradition, they’re law, and they’re taken seriously.

But fret not, once Karfreitag passes, normal service resumes with a full slate of fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.

What’s more, Fantasy managers have until kick-off at 3.30pm CEST on Saturday to confirm their teams, meaning they can wait until line-ups are announced for the six afternoon games.

So, there you have it. Karfreitag is the reason there are no Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches taking place this Friday – but you’ll still get to hear the sweet sound of a referee’s whistle this weekend.

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