Schalke 2026/27 season preview: can the Royal Blues re-establish themselves in the Bundesliga?
After three years away from the top flight, Schalke are back, and aiming to stay in the Bundesliga. Will the determined and star-speckled squad that gained them promotion be able to ensure survival?
Schalke
2025/26 finish: 1st in Bundesliga 2
Pre-season results: 2-1 defeat vs. Gütersloh, 4-2 win vs. Erzgebirge Aue, 2-0 win vs. Metalist Kharkiv, 3-1 win vs. Fagiano Okayama, 5-0 win vs. Hessen Kassel, 3-0 defeat vs. Atalanta, 3-0 defeat vs. Real Madrid
First three fixtures: Augsburg (A), Bayern Munich (H), Union Berlin (A)
What to expect
Schalke are not a club aiming to merely make up the numbers in the Bundesliga. Their proud history implies they naturally belong among the elite of the German game.
Miron Muslić is the man who brought the club back to the top flight by instilling a determined playing style that saw them win Bundesliga 2. He will now aim to turn the euophoria from their return into the grit they need to stay in the division.
The coach seems to be aware of the size of that challenge saying: "We'll have to step up two gears this year."
Key new signing: Edin Džeko
He may not be a new signing in the strictest sense of the word, but Džeko is back at the Veltins-Arena after his initial six-month deal and ready to take on the Bundesliga once again.
See all Schalke's summer comings and goings here
"Edin brought something special to Schalke during his first months at the club. He was a key player and a fan favourite, while his personality meant he always set an example both on and off the pitch," explained sporting director Youri Mulder.
The Bosnian striker is now ready for his first taste of Bundesliga action in over 15 years, having scored 66 times across 111 appearances during a historic spell at Wolfsburg, helping them to the 2009 title. He may not post the same numbers now he's passed 40, but his presence will still be crucial to Schalke's prospects.
Key player: Nikola Katić
Schalke's compactness was key to their success for much of last season. Conceding just 10 goals in the first half of the season, they had the fewest goals against in Germany for a while, bettering even Bayern Munich.
In the Bundesliga, the Royal Blues will likely again look to build on a solid backline. Their defensive leader Nikola Katić will therefore be key to their hopes of avoiding relegation, with the Bosnia international also a weapon from set pieces due to his aerial prowess.
Check out Schalke's new jerseys for 2026/27
Talking point
Two star names in Schalke's ranks are set to earn plenty of attention. Goalkeeper Loris Karius, formerly of Liverpool, has rejuvinated his career at Schalke and is set for his first season of regular top-flight football since a loan spell with Beşiktaş in 2019/20.
Legendary striker Džeko is returning to the Bundesliga for the first time since 2011 with Wolfsburg. Having turned 40 in March, the former Manchester City man has a fair chance of replacing Claudio Pizarro as the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Bundesliga over the course of the new season.
Follow Schalke’s Bundesliga opener at Augsburg here!
