Overview

• The 2. Bundesliga kicked off on 1 August, spans 34 matchdays to mid‑May 2026, and concludes with relegation ties scheduled for 21–26 May.
• Sky broadcasts every 2. Bundesliga match live, RTL airs the Saturday evening free‑TV game and highlights, and ARD, ZDF, Sat.1 and Sport1 carry summaries.
• Every 3. Liga match streams live on MagentaSport/MagentaTV, with the season running from 1–3 August to 16 May and promotion playoffs planned for 21–26 May.
• Rule updates include an eight‑second goalkeeper limit with a corner for violations, referees signaling the final five seconds, and ongoing tests of post‑VAR referee announcements.
• League make‑up is set: Köln and Hamburg moved up, Kiel and Bochum dropped to the 2. Bundesliga, Bielefeld and Dresden returned, Braunschweig stayed up via the playoff, and the 3. Liga added MSV Duisburg, Schweinfurt, Hoffenheim II and Havelse while Regensburg and Ulm came down.