In the Austrian Bundesliga, a controversial rule is being abolished. This is also attracting international attention, which, however, is based on a misunderstanding.
“Bundesliga abolishes points sharing” – this headline in Austrian media caused a stir in mid-October. But the commotion was supposedly based on a misunderstanding.
Because: The Austrian top football division is not abolishing the draw, but “only” a controversial format.
From the coming season and thus at the start of the new TV rights period, the points achieved by a team up to that point will no longer be divided after the basic round.
This means: Each team enters the subsequent championship round or relegation round with the full tally from the season so far. The twelve-team league will therefore continue to be split as before for the decisive phase of the season.
Debate on points sharing in Austria
What is the meaning of the rule change?
“Simplified, it’s about one question: fairness versus excitement. Without points sharing, it’s fairer. With points sharing, it’s more exciting,” says Peter Altmann from the Kleine Zeitung in a conversation with SPORT1 : “Anyone who is against artificially increased excitement deserves respect. Because in the end, it’s about livelihoods.”
Bundesliga chief Christian Ebenbauer admitted in the course of suspending the rule introduced in 2018: The points sharing was “a recurring topic of discussion – especially from a sporting perspective.”
The debate continues even after the decision, but it is not an all-encompassing contentious issue in Austria, as Altmann notes.
“Of course, it’s being discussed. Some will be relieved, others less so. I don’t think it’s making such big waves. The situation hasn’t changed dramatically because of it,” he says and admits: “It’s a powerful argument that fairness is now greater.”
The main point of criticism was the devaluation of the sporting performances from the basic round. By halving the points, teams that had a poor season up to that point, particularly regarding the relegation round, get a second chance. For example, SCR Altach has already benefited from this in the fight to avoid relegation.
“Rather, scaredy-cat football dominated”
Altmann names another disadvantage of points sharing: “It did not contribute to the attractiveness of football in the qualification group because rather, scaredy-cat football dominated. The most important thing was not to lose. But the excitement was certainly there. I do believe it did the product good to play in this format for the last seven years. We will see how this will change. I don’t have a crystal ball for that.”
The change was also prompted by the dominance of the former serial champion Red Bull Salzburg, which Sturm Graz broke through with the title wins in 2024 and 2025. Currently, both teams are level on points at the top of the table.
Bundesliga playoffs against Bayern dominance
In Germany too, the idea of making the Bundesliga more exciting with playoffs in light of FC Bayern’s dominance comes up from time to time.
“If Bayern were to dominate again for years with a large points lead, one could discuss it. It is definitely interesting and worth considering,” said Jérôme Boateng in a SPORT1 interview in the summer.
Before the end of his career at Linzer ASK, he himself gained experience with the special format of a championship round with halved points tally. “I find it interesting, even though it was completely new to me,” said Boateng.
The now implemented abolition of points sharing in Austria, however, shows that this idea also had its weaknesses.