Relegation Play-Offs

At the end of each season, the bottom two clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are relegated to Bundesliga 2 and the 3. Liga respectively. A two-legged relegation play-off is played between the club that finished third-last in the Bundesliga and the club that finished third in Bundesliga 2, and similarly between the club that finished third-last in Bundesliga 2 and the club that finished third in the 3. Liga, to determine whether the club from the higher division retains its status or whether the club from the lower division is promoted in its place. The matches are played using the knock-out format used in the European club competitions (“European Cup system”). The clubs play each other at home and away. Home advantage in the second leg is given to the club that had fewer match-free days prior to the first leg based on the fixture list for the past season.