Köln were relegated to the second level after four Bundesliga seasons, while Kaiserslautern ended a two-year tenure in the top flight.

Promotees SpVgg Greuther Fürth expanded the capacity of their Trolli Arena to 18,000 spectators in order to guarantee all matches of the campaign being played at their own ground.

[8] Borussia Dortmund changed their kit suppliers from Kappa to Puma, signing a contract through the 2019–20 season with the German sports brand.

Fraport chose not to renew their contract with Eintracht Frankfurt;[11] the Hessian club announced a deal with brewery Krombacher at the end of July.

Werder announced their new main sponsor to be poultry giant Wiesenhof in early August 2012, despite prolonged protests due to the company's suspected animal abuse.

[12] Finally, Nürnberg agreed to a multi-year contract with clothing retailers NKD just days before the start of the season.