For the third time after 2017 and 2018, the Green-and-Whites are entering the relegation play-offs – and this time they will face a club from western Germany. It was confirmed on Sunday afternoon that VfL will take on SC Paderborn in two matches for the final spot in the 2026/2027 Bundesliga season. The first encounter will take place at the Volkswagen Arena next Thursday, 21 May, before the decisive second leg follows in East Westphalia on Whit Monday, 25 May. Both matches kick off at 20:30 CEST and will be shown live on Sat.1 and Sky.
Long time no meeting
The last meeting with SC Paderborn came more than six years ago. Back then, a brace from Daniel Ginczek as well as goals from Max Arnold and Robin Knoche secured a 4-2 away win in the Bundesliga for the Wolves under Oliver Glasner. Unlike the Green-and-Whites, the West Germans coached by Ralf Kettemann have never featured in the Bundesliga relegation play-offs before. Prior to finishing third in Bundesliga 2 on Sunday, they had ended the previous season in fourth place and finished seventh in the second tier in 2024. The SCP, currently 49th in the Bundesliga’s all-time table, most recently earned promotion to the top flight in 2019.
Ticket sales information
Tickets for Thursday’s first leg are already on sale in a limited phase, during which season-ticket holders and WölfeClub members can currently purchase additional tickets. General sale begins at 09:45 CEST on Tuesday, 19 May. Tickets for the return leg in Paderborn will be available in an exclusive pre-sale from 12:45 CEST on Monday, 18 May, exclusively for season-ticket holders.
Rules different to 2018
The relegation play-off between the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 already existed before the arrival of the Wolves and was initially contested between 1982 and 1991. Since its reintroduction in 2009, only three second-division clubs have managed to prevail. Most recently, Union Berlin achieved the feat in 2019. VAR and goal-line technology will be in use, while suspensions carried over from Bundesliga competition remain valid. Unlike in 2018, when the Green-and-Whites eliminated Eintracht Braunschweig, one significant rule change now applies: since 2021, in line with European cup competitions, away goals no longer carry extra weight. Instead, if the aggregate score is level after both legs, the tie goes straight to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
