Competitive matches abroad? Bayern boss Dreesen is 'completely against it'

For the sixth time in recent years, the Italian Super Cup will not be staged in its traditional footballing cities such as Rome, Milan or Turin, but instead in Saudi Arabia.

This relocation is part of a broader trend in European football, where major competitions are increasingly being exported abroad in pursuit of financial gain and global visibility. Earlier this year, the Spanish Supercopa also took place in Saudi Arabia, featuring Barcelona and Real Madrid among others, while La Liga continues to explore the possibility of playing official matches in the United States. Even AC Milan have openly expressed their desire to host a Serie A fixture against Como in January in Perth, Australia, underlining the lengths to which clubs and leagues are willing to go in order to expand their international footprint.

The reasoning behind these moves is largely commercial. Hosting matches abroad is seen as a powerful tool to reach new audiences, strengthen global brand recognition, and tap into lucrative sponsorship opportunities in emerging football markets. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has invested heavily in football in recent years, using both domestic league signings and international tournaments as a way to position itself at the center of the global football stage. For clubs and leagues, these arrangements often mean significant financial returns, but they also raise questions about tradition, fan culture, and the identity of domestic competitions.

In Germany, however, such a move is not on the table at least not according to Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. The 58-year-old, who succeeded Oliver Kahn in 2023, has made it clear that he is firmly against the idea of Bundesliga clubs playing official competitive matches abroad. Speaking in an interview with Welt am Sonntag, Dreesen stated unequivocally that he does not support the concept, arguing that the essence of German football must remain tied to its domestic roots.

“We must never forget where our foundation lies,” Dreesen explained. “That’s why I want our competitive matches to always be played in Germany even if a Super Cup abroad might attract more attention than friendly matches.” His comments reflect a strong commitment to the traditions of the Bundesliga, where local communities, passionate supporter culture, and affordable ticket pricing remain central values.

This position is shared by Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Borussia Dortmund and spokesperson for the DFL executive committee, who has been similarly outspoken. Following his re-election in September, Watzke was unequivocal in his stance: “It’s really quite simple: as long as I am responsible at the league, there will be no competitive matches abroad. Period.” Watzke’s words underline the Bundesliga’s collective rejection of a practice that has become increasingly normalised in Italy, Spain and potentially even England in the coming years.

That being said, both Bayern and other Bundesliga clubs have long embraced the idea of taking German football to the world in other ways. Pre-season tours abroad have been common for more than a decade, with clubs traveling to Asia, North America and the Middle East to build their global brands and connect with international fans. Bayern Munich, for instance, regularly tour the USA or Asia during the summer, playing high-profile friendlies against European giants and local champions. Dreesen himself has voiced support for these initiatives, highlighting that such matches help “the 36 clubs of the first and second divisions take German football to the world.”

The key distinction, according to both Dreesen and Watzke, lies in maintaining the sanctity of official competitions. While friendly matches and pre-season tours can help spread the Bundesliga brand, competitive fixtures such as league games, the DFB-Pokal or the Super Cup are considered integral to German football culture and should not be uprooted from their home soil. The fear is that taking such matches abroad would alienate domestic fans, weaken the league’s connection to its local base, and risk prioritising profit over tradition.

Dreesen’s cautious approach extends beyond club football to international competitions as well. He has expressed deep concern over FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026. While the move has been presented by FIFA as an opportunity to make the tournament more inclusive and give smaller nations a chance to participate, Dreesen worries that the quality of the competition will inevitably decline.

“In 2026 we will already have a World Cup with 48 teams lasting more than four weeks,” he said. “It’s also about the quality of the sport. If you allow nations that play no role on the world stage, it only increases the quantity. But people only watch football if the quality is right – that’s my conviction.” His comments reflect a broader concern within elite European football that over-expansion risks diluting the spectacle, exhausting players with overloaded calendars, and prioritising commercial interests over sporting integrity.

The debate comes at a time when football is under increasing pressure to balance its global appeal with its traditional roots. On one hand, leagues and clubs are constantly looking for new revenue streams in an increasingly competitive sports entertainment market. On the other, fans and some executives argue that the identity of competitions is built on their local culture, accessibility, and authenticity.

For Bayern Munich, a club that boasts one of the largest fan bases worldwide and already enjoys enormous commercial success, the stance taken by Dreesen underscores the importance of tradition even at the highest level. By resisting the temptation to move competitive matches abroad, the Bundesliga is positioning itself as a league that prioritises its fans at home while still finding ways to engage with supporters abroad through alternative channels.

As the trend of staging official matches overseas continues to grow in other European leagues, the Bundesliga’s resistance could become a defining feature of its identity a reminder that in German football, the bond between clubs and their local supporters is still considered sacrosanct.