As the dust settles on the thrilling 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, the landscape of German football has undergone a significant transformation. Out are the teams that battled valiantly but ultimately fell short, and in are the clubs that fought tooth and nail for their place in the top flight. The 2025/26 season promises a mix of familiar faces returning from exile and a few teams looking to bounce back from heartbreak.
This post dives deep into the promoted and relegated teams, examining their journeys, key players, and the outlook for their immediate future.
Promoted to the Bundesliga: The Return of Giants
The second Bundesliga was a pressure cooker of a competition, with several big clubs vying for the coveted top spots. In the end, two storied clubs secured their automatic promotion, bringing their passionate fan bases back to the top division.
1. Hamburger SV (HSV)
The "Dinos" are finally back! After years of agonizingly close calls and near-misses in the promotion race, Hamburger SV has broken its seven-year absence from the Bundesliga. Their return is a momentous occasion, signaling the end of one of German football's most prolonged sagas.
HSV's promotion was a story of persistence. They finished a strong second in the 2. Bundesliga, driven by a solid defense and a potent attack. With key players like winger Jean-Luc Dompé and midfielder Miro Muheim, they have a squad with both experience and youthful energy. The real challenge now is adapting to the speed and intensity of the Bundesliga. After so long away, their immediate goal will be to establish a foothold and avoid a repeat of their past struggles. The club’s long-suffering fans will be a massive asset, providing an electric atmosphere at the Volksparkstadion that will make it a fortress.
2. 1. FC Köln
It's a swift return for the Billy Goats. Relegated at the end of the 2023/24 season, 1. FC Köln wasted no time in securing their promotion back to the top flight. They finished as champions of the 2. Bundesliga, demonstrating a strong resolve and a clear goal to reclaim their place among Germany's elite.
Köln's season was spearheaded by star striker Davie Selke, who was the top goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga with 22 goals. He will be crucial for their survival hopes. The club's quick comeback suggests they have a stable core and a clear tactical identity. The challenge for them will be to learn from the mistakes of their last Bundesliga campaign and ensure their squad depth and tactical approach are ready for the increased pressure of the top division. Their fans, known for their unwavering support, will undoubtedly be a huge factor in their bid for survival.
Relegated from the Bundesliga: Back to the Second Tier
The emotional rollercoaster of a Bundesliga season came to a painful end for two clubs, who now face the difficult task of rebuilding in the 2. Bundesliga.
1. Holstein Kiel
After a memorable one-season stint in the Bundesliga, Holstein Kiel's fairytale has come to an end. The Bundesliga newcomers found life in the top flight to be a harsh reality, finishing 17th. Despite a few flashes of brilliance, the team struggled to find a consistent scoring rhythm and defensively, they conceded a league-high 80 goals.
Kiel's time in the top division will serve as a valuable learning experience. The club will need to regroup and rebuild its squad, possibly losing key players to Bundesliga clubs, to become a dominant force in the second division once again. The team's immediate focus will be on finding stability and laying the groundwork for another promotion push in the coming years.
2. VfL Bochum 1848
The relegation of VfL Bochum is a heartbreaking end to their four-year stay in the Bundesliga. After a promising start to the season, their form plummeted, leading to a managerial change and a difficult run of results. They ultimately finished at the bottom of the table in 18th place.
Bochum's struggle was marked by inconsistency and a lack of firepower, finishing with a league-low 33 goals scored. The club now faces the daunting task of reshaping its squad and finding a new identity to compete in the 2. Bundesliga. The goal is clear: to emulate their promoted counterparts and make a quick return to the top flight.
The Relegation Playoff: A Narrow Escape
The tense battle for survival saw 1. FC Heidenheim finish in the relegation playoff spot. In a two-legged playoff, they faced off against the 3rd place team from the 2. Bundesliga. In a dramatic turn of events, Heidenheim successfully defended their top-flight status, securing a place in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.