Relegation play-offs 2021: schedule, format and coverage

Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bundesliga
Photo: Christian Kaspar-Bartke / Bundesliga

25 May 2021 – Following the final matchday of the 2020-21 season in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 last weekend, the fixtures for the relegation play-offs have now been confirmed.

The first leg of the duel for the final available place in the German top flight between the 16th-placed team in the Bundesliga, 1. FC Köln, and the 3rd-placed team in Bundesliga 2, Holstein Kiel, will take place on Wednesday, 26 May (6:30 p.m. CEST). The second leg will be played on Saturday, 29 May (6:00 p.m. CEST).

The relegation play-off between Bundesliga 2 and 3. Liga will see the 16th-placed team in Bundesliga 2, VfL Osnabrück, and the 3rd-placed team in 3. Liga, FC Ingolstadt 04, compete against one another. The first leg will be held in Ingolstadt on Thursday, 27 May (6:15 p.m. CEST), with the second leg in Osnabrück following on Sunday, 30 May (1:30 p.m. CEST).

Extra time and penalties possible

The away goals rule has applied ever since the relegation play-offs were reintroduced in the 2008-09 season: If the aggregate score is level after the first and second legs, the team that has scored more away goals wins. If the teams still cannot be separated after 90 minutes in the second leg, the match will go to extra time consisting of two 15-minute periods. If this still does not produce a winner, a penalty shoot-out will take place. The video assistant and goal-line technology will be used in all four matches.


The relegation play-offs at a glance

Bundesliga – Bundesliga 2:

  • First leg on 26 May 2021: 1. FC Köln – Holstein Kiel (6:30 p.m. CEST)
  • Second leg on 29 May 2021: Holstein Kiel – 1. FC Köln (6:00 p.m. CEST)

Bundesliga 2 – 3. Liga:

  • First leg on 27 May 2021: FC Ingolstadt 04 – VfL Osnabrück (6:15 p.m. CEST)
  • Second leg on 30 May 2021: VfL Osnabrück – FC Ingolstadt 04 (1:30 p.m. CEST)