2025/26 Bundesliga 2 promotion race: Who will earn a place in Germany’s top flight?
As always seems to be the case in Bundesliga 2, there is little to choose between the sides jostling for position near the top of the second-tier table this season and promotion up to the big time.
Schalke currently lead the way, but the Royal Blues have several teams breathing down their necks as we enter the final three months of the 2025/26 campaign.
We train the spotlight on the teams eyeing a place in the top flight next term…
How does promotion and relegation work in the Bundesliga?
Schalke
Position: 1st (automatic promotion)
Points: 51 (26 games)
Goal difference: +14 (37-23)
Next fixture: Darmstadt (a)
A patchy run of form had seen Schalke concede top spot - a position they had held since Matchday 14 - but they reclaimed first place (where they have remained since) with a narrow victory at Holstein Kiel on Matchday 22, before taking seven points from the next available nine. Having conceded a two-goal lead against Hannover, however, Schalke missed the chance to separate themselves from the chasing pack.
Having bolstered their squad with the likes of Edin Džeko, Adil Aouchiche and Moussa Ndiaye in January, Miron Muslić’s side will be confident of going the distance this season – particularly if they can maintain their remarkable defensive record. After three seasons in Bundesliga 2, a return to the top flight looms large on the horizon.
Watch: Schalke draw with Hannover on Matchday 26
Darmstadt
Position: 2nd (automatic promotion)
Points: 49 (26 games)
Goal difference: +19 (48-29)
Next fixture: Schalke (h)
Darmstadt are the only team to remain unbeaten on home soil this term following their Matchday 25 win over Holstein Kiel - their 10th win at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor. Up next at their home fortress are league leaders Schalke.
Florian Kohfeldt’s charges also boast Swedish goal-getter Isac Lidberg, who sits joint-top in the scoring chart with 13 goals.
Darmstadt last gained promotion in 2022/23, but were relegated after just one season in the top flight. Kohfeldt and his players would love the opportunity to go one better next year.
Elversberg
Position: 3rd
Points: 48 (26 games)
Goal difference: +16 (44-28)
Next fixture: Arminia Bielefeld (h)
Having lost to Heidenheim in last season’s play-off, Elversberg are determined to go one better this time around.
Hot on the heels of the leading pack, Vincent Wagner’s side boast the second strongest attack in the division, despite losing top scorer Younes Ebnoutalib to Eintracht Frankfurt in January.
Their Matchday 21 loss against Hertha was their first at home this season, and their away record is among the best in the division, although a Matchday 26 loss to Greuther Fürth saw them miss the opportunity to jump into second.
Paderborn
Position: 4th
Points: 48 (26 games)
Goal difference: +13 (43-30)
Next fixture: Dynamo Dresden (h)
Paderborn were top after Matchday 13, and, despite going through a patchier period of form since, are still very much in the promotion picture thanks to their strong away record.
Last relegated from the top flight in 2019/20, Paderborn are hoping to mix it with the Bundesliga big boys again next term.
Hannover
Position: 5th
Points: 46 (26 games)
Goal difference: +11 (45-34)
Next fixture: Eintracht Braunschweig (h)
After going four games without a win between Matchdays 15 and 18, Hannover managed to reignite their automatic promotion hopes with four consecutive victories from Matchday 19 to 22.
However, one win from their next three - including a 2-1 defeat to lowly Greuther Fürth - left them three points outside the top three ahead of a Matchday 26. After fighting back to draw with league leaders Schalke, they narrowed that gap back down to two points.
There is plenty of cause for optimism, though. Christian Titz’s team have the league's joint-top scorer, Benjamin Källman (13) in their ranks, and if they can continue their current form, there is every chance of promotion.
Watch: Hannover won in Bielefeld on Matchday 24
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