VfL Wolfsburg Relegated After 2‑1 Playoff Loss to SC Paderborn

VfL Wolfsburg will be relegated to the 2. Bundesliga for the first time in its history. The club lost the promotion/relegation playoff 2–1 to SC Paderborn. Wolfsburg have been a permanent Bundesliga member since their promotion in 1997. The team captured the German championship in 2009. SC Paderborn secured promotion to the top flight by winning the two‑legged tie. Their victory marks a return to the Bundesliga after a five‑year absence. The playoff consisted of a single match decided by extra time after a 1–1 draw in regular time. The decisive goal was scored by Paderborn in the 115th minute. Wolfsburg will begin the 2026‑27 season in the second division. The club will need to restructure its squad to aim for an immediate return.