Koln (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Köln and Hamburg return to the Bundesliga. The three-time champions secured promotion after beating Kaiserslautern 4–0 in front of over 50,000 home fans.
The 2025/26 Bundesliga season will welcome back two of Germany’s most historic clubs. After Hamburg sealed their return earlier this month, 1. FC Köln confirmed their promotion on the final matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season with a resounding 4–0 victory over Kaiserslautern.
The win sparked wild celebrations at RheinEnergieStadion, where over 50,000 Köln supporters witnessed their team storm back to the top division just one year after being relegated. As the final whistle blew, fans flooded the pitch in scenes of sheer jubilation.
Köln, three-time German champions, were guided back to the elite by Friedrich Funkel, a coach renowned for his ability to engineer promotions. This latest success marks the seventh time in his career that he has led a team into the Bundesliga.
The club, once home to Milivoje Novaković and Mišo Brečko, now rejoins Germany’s best, adding tradition, fan power, and history back into the league.
Meanwhile, Hamburg’s return ends a seven-year absence from the top flight. Their promotion had already been confirmed, ensuring that two of the country’s most iconic clubs are back where many believe they belong.
In the promotion-relegation playoff, Heidenheim will face Elversberg, the surprise package of the 2. Bundesliga season, for the final spot in next year’s Bundesliga lineup.
With Köln and Hamburg back, the 2025/26 Bundesliga promises to deliver even more historic clashes and passionate fanbases, restoring a sense of classic rivalry to German football’s top tier.