Two teams faced direct relegation after the final 34th matchday on May 16, 2026, with FC Heidenheim and FC St. Pauli both ending on 26 points and a -31 goal difference. Heidenheim finished 17th, while St. Pauli were 18th and scored fewer goals than their relegation rival, sealing their automatic drop to the second tier. In the relegation play-off, VfL Wolfsburg finished 16th with 29 points and earned the right to contest promotion, facing SC Paderborn 07, who came third in the 2025/26 2. Bundesliga. First leg of the playoff on May 21, 2026 produced a 0-0 draw at Wolfsburg, and the second leg on May 25, 2026 will decide which club remains in the Bundesliga for the next season. Also that season, Schalke 04 and SV Elversberg secured automatic promotion to fill the vacancies left by the relegated clubs.