How will the battle for European football shape up in 2026/27?
The race for European qualification went right to the wire in 2025/26, but how will the battle for a Bundesliga top-six finish shape up in 2026/27?
Excluding last season's top three – Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig – here's a look at the leading contenders...
VfB Stuttgart
Position in 2025/26: 4th
Key summer signings: Goalkeeper Alex Nübel departed after three years on loan from Bayern Munich, but Dennis Seimen has been brought back from a loan spell of his own at Paderborn to fill those gloves.
There have otherwise been no major departures, but the arrivals of Grischa Prömel and Leo Sauer will bolster the team’s attack, while Bilal El Khannouss’s move from Leicester City has been made permanent.
What they’re saying
“We’re going into a season in which we’ll have big ambitions in the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup.” – head coach Sebastian Hoeneß
“We don’t have any pressure to buy or sell players. We've done well by not making a public show of our objectives. If the group shows that it wants to work at the highest level, success will come naturally.” - board member for sport Fabian Wohlgemuth
Position in 2025/26: 5th
Key summer signings: There have been more significant departures than arrivals, with Prömel, Bazoumana Touré and Kevin Akpoguma all leaving. Youngsters Nathan De Cat and Alessandro Vogt are the most prominent newcomers, but head coach Christian Ilzer has a proven track record when it comes to shaping promising talents into the finished article.
What they’re saying
“The past season has shown that we are on the right track and that with consistent work, we can achieve a great deal together. We want to continue on this successful path.” – Christian Ilzer
“I'm optimistic that we're on a very good path and can be successful again [...] Chris [Ilzer] succeeds in giving the team values and objectives for a season that the players genuinely embrace and consistently pursue” – managing director Andreas Schicker
Position in 2025/26: 6th
Key summer signings: There’s no hiding from the fact that Alejandro Grimaldo’s departure to Atlético Madrid is a big blow, but the arrival of new head coach Carles Martínez is an exciting one, promising vertical, attack-minded football.
That will suit new arrival Afonso Moreira and up-and-coming Germany youth international Kennet Eichhorn, while Victor Boniface’s return from a loan at Werder Bremen could be decisive if he can recapture his pre-injury form.
What they’re saying
“Our aim is to always be among the top four in the league and to be in a position to win titles.” – sporting director Simon Rolfes
Position in 2025/26: 7th
Key summer signings: Freiburg’s impressive showings last term inevitably attracted suitors, and the losses of Johan Manzambi, Junior Adamu and Merlin Röhl, among others will sting.
But the Black Forest club have previous when it comes to replenishing their squad, with Keisuke Gotō, Rihito Yamamota and Mio Backhaus all shrewd purchases.
What they’re saying
“It's remarkable, and we can't give the team enough credit for securing seventh place. We'll have another opportunity next season. Working towards winning a title again will be a motivation.” – head coach Julian Schuster
“Julian brings tremendous expertise and embodies everything this club stands for. The team's development is clearly heading in the right direction.” – Jochen Saier, sporting director
Position in 2025/26: 8th
Key summer signings: Nathaniel Brown and Rasmus Kristensen have gone, but the future looks bright with Otávio, Noel Aseko, Noah Futkeu and Malik Pimpong all coming in. Furthermore, the mood around the club has lifted following the return of Adi Hütter as head coach.
What they’re saying
“We have to move with the times; expectations have risen. The club has ambitions, and so do I. I’m incredibly excited about helping Eintracht get back to where we all want to be.” – Hütter upon his appointment as Frankfurt coach
“We know what didn’t go well last season, and we’ll address those things accordingly and do everything we can to eliminate those mistakes next year so we can compete for the European places.” – sporting director Markus Krösche
Also keep an eye on...
Manuel Baum oversaw nine wins and six draws from his 22 games at the helm after taking over in December, helping Augsburg finish ninth. With a full pre-season to work with his squad, who knows where they could end up this time?
Urs Fischer took over the reins in Mainz shortly after Baum did so in Augsburg and has a nearly identical record from 21 matches, with nine wins and seven draws. Some smart signings, including Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and Eric Martel, while retaining the likes of Nadiem Amiri, Paul Nebel and Kaishū Sano.
