Wolfsburg snatch victory from Paderborn in first Bundesliga relegation playoff
In the first match for the right to stay in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg beat Paderborn 3-2 at home. The return leg will take place on May 25, and its winner will determine which club plays in the top flight next season.
⚽ Bundesliga season finale: Wolfsburg and Paderborn fail to decide winner in first playoff leg
Main event
On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the first relegation playoff match for the 2026/27 Bundesliga season took place at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg. The hosts, Wolfsburg, faced the third-placed team from the 2. Bundesliga, Paderborn. The match ended in a goalless draw — 0:0.
Despite fan expectations and their status as nominal favorites, the Wolves failed to capitalize on home advantage. Paderborn, on the other hand, showed disciplined defending and can consider this result a small victory ahead of the return leg.
Details and statistics
From the first minutes, Wolfsburg took the initiative and had 63% possession. However, their dominance did not translate into goals: Dieter Hecking's side took 17 shots, but only 6 were on target. Paderborn, in contrast, focused on organized defense and quick counterattacks, managing just 2 shots throughout the match.
The first real threat came from the visitors: in the 9th minute, Santiago Castañeda shot point-blank, but defender Januel Belosyan and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara combined to save Wolfsburg's goal. The hosts responded with a chance from Adam Daghim in the 32nd minute, but Paderborn goalkeeper Dennis Seimen made an excellent save.
The second half was no more eventful. Christian Eriksen, Wolfsburg's Danish playmaker, tried to liven up the game, but his trademark set pieces were neutralized by the visitors' goalkeeper. The most dangerous situation at the hosts' goal came in the 84th minute: Filip Bilbija shot on the turn, but the ball was cleared off the line by Denis Vavro and Joakim Mæhle.
The match's climax came with the sending off of Paderborn defender Jona Sticker in the 94th minute: he received a second yellow card and will miss the return leg.
Context and significance
Wolfsburg entered the playoffs as a team fighting for survival. They finished 16th in the Bundesliga with just 29 points this season. Only a last-round win over St. Pauli (3-1) allowed the Wolves to avoid direct relegation and cling to a chance to stay in the elite.
For Paderborn, this season is a story of revival. The club finished third in the 2. Bundesliga (62 points) and reached the playoffs for the first time in their history. Previous attempts to reach the Bundesliga (in 2014/15 and 2019/20) ended with direct promotion, but both times the team was relegated the following season.
The financial gap between the clubs is enormous. According to experts, Wolfsburg's wage budget ranges from €60 to €85 million, while Paderborn spends about €8-9 million on player salaries — ten times less. This difference was evident on the pitch: Wolfsburg dominated territory and possession, but Paderborn fought for every inch of grass and ultimately achieved a respectable result.
Statistics of German playoffs favor Wolfsburg. Since the reintroduction of the playoff in 2008/09, only three times have 2. Bundesliga clubs managed to beat a top-flight representative. Moreover, after a goalless draw in the first leg, no lower-league club has ever won the return leg and achieved promotion. Wolfsburg themselves have been through the playoffs twice: in 2017 they beat Eintracht Braunschweig, and in 2018 they beat Holstein Kiel.
What's next
The return leg will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Paderborn's home ground, the Home Deluxe Arena. Kick-off is at 20:30 CET.
Paderborn will be without Jona Sticker due to suspension after his red card at the end of the first game. This is a significant loss for the hosts' defense. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, will have all their key players available.
The winner of the two-legged tie will play next season in the Bundesliga, while the loser will go to the 2. Bundesliga. For Wolfsburg, who have been in the top flight continuously since 1997, relegation would be a historic blow to their prestige and finances.
💬 Editor's prediction
Despite the home draw and lack of goals, Wolfsburg remain favorites for the return leg. Dieter Hecking's squad has higher individual quality, and the historical statistics of German playoffs favor Bundesliga clubs. The key factor will be psychology: the Wolves have been through this pressure before in 2017 and 2018, while for Paderborn this experience is new.
However, Sticker's suspension could backfire on the hosts: Paderborn's defense has lost a key player. If Wolfsburg can score an early away goal, Paderborn will have to open up, which plays into the hands of the more skilled attack. Prediction: Wolfsburg win the return leg and retain their Bundesliga status. The most likely scoreline is 2-0 or 2-1 in favor of the Wolves over 90 minutes.
— Editorial Team
