DFL Conduct Trial of Vertical Screen Streaming of Bundesliga Game

At the weekend, many matches attracted headlines for what happened on field.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Manchester United stunned the reigning champions of England in their own backyard, perhaps alleviating the pressure on the 1999 Champions League Final hero.

Celtic defeated Rangers in a fierce Old Firm derby final despite Steven Gerrard’s side dominating the game and playing with one extra man for most of the second half.

Finally, we saw Juventus slip up again in the Serie A. Lazio stunned ‘La Donna Vecchia’ in a 3-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico, concurrently opening up the title race.

But perhaps some of the most interesting news for football fans, especially those who stream 99% of the games they watch was that the first vertically-streamed game of football took place in the Bundesliga.

Werder Bremen gained a valuable three points with a 3-2 win against VFL Wolfsburg. But the news of the DFL’s trial stream comes as very fascinating, given the situation streaming is currently in.

Amazon Prime recently streamed a full round of Premier League action for the first time, which will hopefully become a constant for fans everywhere. As we know oh so well here in Australia, Optus is the major service provider for games in the Premier League, Champions League and the Europa League.

But vertical streaming will allow many fans a different perspective on the game. Many can watch games horizontally through their mobile devices. But this concept is uncharted territory. So far.

Andreas Heyden, Executive President of the DFL for digital innovations, said that the growing rate of vertical videos on social media sites led to the development of a vertical streaming service for games.

“We see that vertical videos in social media on mobile devices are better received than ones in horizontal orientation. The successful test in Wolfsburg provides us with a good basis for further considerations as to how we can do even better justice to this usage behaviour in the future.”

Watching football from a horizontal perspective is something we often take for granted when watching a game. Not that it’s a privilege, more so that it’s the way we’ve always viewed the sport, either live or otherwise.

Traditionalists may perhaps believe that this is a step too far and that the current methods are more than adequate and don’t require changing. But vertical viewing is an interesting proposition and as football fans, we’d be remiss to not see what it has to offer.

The DFL will conduct its own review of the stream before deciding to open it up to all of us, but in the name of being progressive, it’s hard to see them not giving it a shot at the very least.

What are your thoughts on this innovative way of watching soccer from the comfort of your own couch? Or even bed, in this instance? Get involved in the discussion on Twitter @Soccersceneau

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Football Australia and CommBank announce major agreement

Football Australia and CommBank have announced a major new agreement, committing to a substantial six-year investment in the future of Australian football.

As part of the deal, CommBank will become Football Australia’s primary sponsor across all levels of the game.

This builds on CommBank’s support of the CommBank Matildas, ParaMatildas, and Pararoos, and now includes naming rights for the Socceroos and youth championships.

The partnership will focus on keeping young Australians in the game, from grassroots to elite, while helping discover and develop future stars through top youth tournaments.

Since partnering in 2021, CommBank has helped drive a 27% rise in women’s and girls’ football, and Matildas matches have seen over 17 straight sell-outs.

Through the Growing Football Fund, over 230 local clubs have received grants to grow the game in their communities.

Together, CommBank and Football Australia are committed to making football inclusive and accessible for all Australians.

CommBank’s CEO Matt Comyn called this the most thrilling chapter yet for the sport in Australia.

“With the Socceroos facing the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and the CommBank Matildas preparing for the Australian-hosted AFC Women’s Asia Cup, there has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of football in Australia,” Comyn said in a press release.

“When we partnered with Football Australia as naming rights sponsors of the CommBank Matildas, they were about to embark on a history making international campaign, and what an incredible amount they’ve achieved for Australian football and women’s sport since 2021.

“CommBank is proud to play our part in extending the incredible growth we’ve seen in the female game over the past few years into all facets of the game, including the men’s, para athletes and youth competitions – we are committed to promoting supporting inclusivity, keeping communities connected, and ensuring a brighter future for all.”

Interim Football Australia CEO Heather Garriock said the renewed partnership with CommBank is a values-driven collaboration focused on growing the game for all Australians.

“We are beyond delighted to take this next step in our relationship with CommBank and continue with our joint purpose of creating a game that is accessible to and loved by all Australians,” Garriock said in a press release.

“CommBank have been incredible partners since 2021 – in the four years since, we have together taken the women’s and para games from strength to strength, and we cannot wait to extend this success into other programs.

“This is so much more than a sponsorship agreement, it is a values-aligned business partnership through which we will innovate and support each other in many ways – with a core aim of improving the lives of Australians through the world game right across the country. We look forward to embarking on this next step in our journey together.”

Starting from the 1st of September 2025, CBA will be the official naming rights partner of both the CommBank Matildas and the newly named CommBank Socceroos.

Together, CommBank and Football Australia are shaping a stronger, more inclusive future for football across the nation.

GO Camps: Train Like a Green and Gold this July at HoTM

After the success of previous GO Camps across the country, Football Victoria is bringing the first-ever ‘Train Like a Green & Gold’ football program to Victoria’s premier football venue – The Home of the Matildas – on Monday July 14.

This one-of-a-kind, one-day football experience is designed specifically for girls aged 11 to 13. Held during the school holidays, the camp gives young players the chance to train like their heroes in a world-class environment.

With past camps in New South Wales and Queensland drawing strong attendance and overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, the upcoming Victorian edition promises to be just as impactful – and even more special, given its location at Australia’s home of women’s football.

Set in the heart of La Trobe University’s Sports Park in Bundoora, participants will have the rare opportunity to train where the CommBank Matildas train, using the same elite facilities and environment that supports our national team.

Whether your child is new to the game or already has some experience, the GO Camps: Train Like a Green & Gold program caters to all skill levels.

The day will run from 9am to 3pm, led by accredited coaches who focus on enjoyment, participation, and development in a fun and supportive setting.

As part of the experience, participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, including access to the exclusive CommBank Matildas change rooms, complete with signed lockers and elite-level amenities.

A First Aid professional will be present on the day to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

Key Information

  • For Girls 11-13 Years
  • Date: Monday, 14 July
  • Time: 9AM – 3PM
  • Location: The Home of The Matildas, Bundoora
  • Cost: $90
  • Bring: Packed lunch
  • Participants will receive a certificate of participation.

To register for GO Camps: Train like a Green and Gold, click here.

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