By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Brazil-born midfielder Léo Scienza scored a last-gasp winner to preserve the Bundesliga status of 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 for the 2025-26 season as his 95th-minute goal sealed a 2-1 win (4-3 on aggregate) over SV Elversberg in the two-legged relegation/promotion play-off.
The result of the play-off tie brings the curtain down on the 2024-25 Bundesliga season which saw FC Bayern München crowned champions, while 1. FC Köln took the Bundesliga 2 title, confirming their return to Germany’s top tier next season alongside Hamburger SV who finished second.
Eintracht Braunschweig will remain in Bundesliga 2 next season after beating 1. FC Saarbrücken 4-2 on aggregate in the second relegation/promotion play-off.
Braunschweig stay in a league setting new records: over 9 million people attended Bundesliga 2 games over the course of the 2024-25 season, with a 30,840 average attendance eclipsing last year’s record.