How the Bundesliga relegation play-off works
The Bundesliga season doesn't always end with a Borussia Dortmund collapse and Thomas Muller in lederhosen lifting the Meisterschale aloft. In fact, it rarely does.
The drama in Germany extends beyond the final day of the Bundesliga season as a result of the relegation play-off. This distinct system of relegation/promotion was re-introduced in 2008/09, and the conclusion of the 2022/23 season means the next play-off is upcoming.
Here's everything you need to know about the Bundesliga relegation play-off.
What is the Bundesliga relegation play-off?
The bottom two teams in the Bundesliga are relegated every season, while the top two teams from Bundesliga 2 gain automatic promotion to the top flight.
However, the third relegation/promotion spot is determined by a two-legged play-off between the side that finishes 16th in the Bundesliga and third in Bundesliga 2. The victor over two legs will compete in the Bundesliga the following season, while the loser will drop down to, or remain in, Bundesliga 2.
Should the two sides be level following the conclusion of the second leg, which is always hosted by the Bundesliga 2 outfit, extra time and penalties will then decide the winner. The away goals rule hasn't been in effect since the 2021/22 season.
Who is playing in the 2022/23 Bundesliga play-off?
🇩🇪🤣 Yesterday, Hamburg fans invaded the pitch to celebrate what they believed was promotion to the Bundesliga…
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 29, 2023
However, Heidenheim's match was not over yet and they scored in extra time to gain promotion to the Bundesliga over Hamburg! pic.twitter.com/8NcTEMFiZV
Stuttgart finished 16th in the Bundesliga and they'll take on Hamburg with a place in the 2023/24 Bundesliga on the line.
Despite enjoying a fine season in the second tier, Hamburg will enter the play-off somewhat deflated after they thought they'd earned automatic promotion on the final day. Supporters invaded the Sandhausen pitch following their side's 1-0 victory, but Heidenheim scored twice in stoppage time at Jahn Regensburg to clinch the title and drop Hamburg back down to third.
Stuttgart, who escaped the drop (for now) thanks to Schalke's defeat on the final day, will host the first leg on Thursday 1 June before the second leg at Hamburg is played on Monday 5 June.
Recent Bundesliga relegation play-off results
Season | Aggregate score |
|---|---|
2012/13 | Hoffenheim 5-2 Kaiserslautern |
2013/14 | Hamburg 1-1 Greuther Fürth - Hamburg won on away goals |
2014/15 | Hamburg 3-2 Karlsruhe |
2015/16 | Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Nuremberg |
2016/17 | Wolfsburg 2-0 Eintracht Braunschweig |
2017/18 | Wolfsburg 4-1 Holstein Kiel |
2018/19 | VfB Stuttgart 2-2 Union Berlin - Union won on away goals |
2019/20 | Werder Bremen 2-2 Heidenheim - Werder won on away goals |
2020/21 | Cologne 5-2 Holstein Kiel |
2021/22 | Hertha Berlin 2-1 Hamburg |
Since the relegation play-off was brought back in 2008/09, only three Bundesliga 2 sides have earned promotion to the top-flight; Nuremberg (2008/09), Fortuna Dusseldorf (2011/12), and Union Berlin (2018/19).
Thus, the odds are certainly stacked in Stuttgart's favour ahead of the upcoming play-off, especially given the scenes at Sandhausen on Sunday.
The last Bundesliga 2 side to win the play-off, Union Berlin, have ascended to remarkable heights since gaining promotion and will compete in next season's Champions League after securing a top-four finish.