Welcome back, Schalke! Historic club seal promotion to the Bundesliga
Schalke will play in the Bundesliga next season after securing promotion with two games to spare. Here is everything you need to know about the Royal Blues…
The story of 2025/26
Schalke confirmed their return to the Bundesliga with a 1-0 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf, ending their three-season stay in the second tier. Following their relegation from the Bundesliga in 2022/23, they have endured further reality checks, finishing 10th and 14th in successive campaigns. That led to the appointment of Miron Muslić as head coach and a significant overhaul of the first-team squad last summer, decisions which have ultimately pushed Schalke up the table.
Three wins from their first five games this term suggested brighter days were ahead, and a further run of five consecutive victories put them top of the table by Matchday 10, a position they have only briefly - and temporarily - surrendered since. Saturday’s win against Fortuna extended their unbeaten league run to 12 games, lifting them 10 points clear of third-placed Hannover.
Watch: Schalke 1-0 Fortuna Düsseldorf - highlights
Schalke’s success has been built on a strong backline. They have the sturdiest defence in the division with just 28 goals conceded so far, shipping at least seven fewer than any other side. Their 13 clean sheets are also a league high.
The Royal Blues’ home form, too, has been a crucial part of this momentous achievement. In fact, they have been beaten in front of their own supporters just once this campaign - against Holstein Kiel back in September - and should they avoid defeat in their final game at the VELTINS-Arena this term, they will have registered their best home record in 20 years. It is that consistency that has allowed them to fulfil their dream of facing the country’s biggest clubs once more.
Key player: Kenan Karaman
Schalke have not been the most attack-minded side in Bundesliga 2 this season. Their total of 49 goals is the joint sixth-highest in the league, while only Bochum have averaged less than their 46 per cent possession.
As such, they have needed to be ruthless in the final third. Edin Džeko’s arrival in January came amid huge fanfare, and the veteran Bosnia & Herzegovina international responded with six goals in his first eight games. When Džeko suffered a shoulder injury, Moussa Sylla stepped up with a handful of important goals to help get Schalke over the line.
Karaman, though, has once again shown exactly why he is one of the best players in Bundesliga 2. He has found the back of the net 14 times, enough to make him his side’s top goalscorer. The 32-year-old has been particularly prolific since the turn of the year, scoring eight goals in his last 13 appearances. If Schalke are to be competitive at the top level, they will need the Türkiye international at his very best.
Coach: Miron Muslić
In just his third season as a coach, Muslić has silverware to enjoy. After stabilising and improving Belgian side Cercle Brugge to the point where they qualified for European football for the first time in 14 years, he moved to English Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle and helped the club beat Premier League leaders Liverpool in the FA Cup last year.
However, he was unable to stave off relegation to the third tier of English football, having taken over Argyle when they were already bottom of the table midway through the 2024/25 season. As such, he signed a two-year deal at Schalke, where he has made the most of his Bosnian connection to bring in the likes of Džeko and key defender Nikola Katić.
History
Schalke are undoubtedly one of Germany’s biggest clubs. Formed in 1904, they were particularly successful in the 1930s and 1940s, decades before the inaugural Bundesliga season. They were even a founding member of the new division in 1963, but their biggest achievements since then have come in the form of four DFB Cups and the 1997 UEFA Cup.
They have more members - over 200,000 - than any club in Germany apart from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and have featured amongst the elite in all but nine of the 63 Bundesliga seasons to date.
Stadium
Schalke play their home games at the VELTINS-Arena, which, as explained, has been a fortress this term. It has been their ground since 2001, when the North Rhine-Westphalia outfit moved from the Parkstadion.
It has a maximum capacity of over 62,000 and has hosted several major sporting events, including games at both the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2024 UEFA European Championships, as well as the 2004 UEFA Champions League final. Concerts by the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift have also been held there.
