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 have already confirmed promotion to the Bundesliga, but behind the Royal Blues there are three teams still in contention for the second automatic spot and play-off berth.
With one point separating second and fourth, we train the spotlight on the sides eyeing a place in the top flight next term…
How does promotion and relegation work in the Bundesliga?
Schalke
Position: 1st (automatic promotion)
Points: 67 (31 games)
Goal difference: +21 (49-28)
Next fixture: Nuremberg (a)
Schalke briefly conceded top spot early in 2026 - a position they had held since Matchday 14 - but they reclaimed first place on Matchday 22 and have been there ever since. After three seasons in Bundesliga 2, they can look forward to the Bundesliga once more after beating Fortuna Düsseldorf on Matchday 32, a win which also helped them secure the second-division title.
Watch: Schalke 1-0 Fortuna Düsseldorf - highlights
Elversberg
Position: 2nd (automatic promotion)
Points: 59 (32 games)
Goal difference: +24 (60-36)
Next fixture: Fortuna Düsseldorf (a)
Having lost to Heidenheim in last season's play-off, Elversberg are determined to go one better this time around. Their Matchday 29 defeat to Schalke was only their second at home this season, and their resounding 5-1 win over Paderborn last time out has put them in the driving seat with two games remaining.
Watch: Elversberg 5-1 Paderborn - highlights
Hannover
Position: 3rd (promotion play-off)
Points: 58 (32 games)
Goal difference: +16 (56-40)
Next fixture: Bochum (a)
After going four games without a win between Matchdays 15 and 18, Hannover reignited their automatic promotion hopes with four consecutive victories from Matchday 19 to 22. They've since taken points off promotion rivals Schalke, Darmstadt and Paderborn, and returned to the top three on Matchday 31 courtesy of a vital victory versus Karlsruhe. The 3-3 draw with rock-bottom Preußen Münster on Matchday 32 was a missed opportunity, and they must now rely on Elversberg mistakes to have any chance of finishing in the top two.
Paderborn
Position: 4th
Points: 58 (32 games)
Goal difference: +12 (55-43)
Next fixture: Karlsruhe (h)
Last relegated from the top flight in 2019/20, Paderborn are hoping to mix it with the big boys again next term. Ralf Kettemann's side recently went on an impressive 10-match unbeaten run before losing a top-of-the-table clash to Schalke 3-2 on Matchday 31, and their 5-1 loss to Elversberg last time out has only further dented their hopes of playing amongst the elite next term.
