Overview

• Borussia Dortmund beat second-tier Borussia Mönchengladbach 3:1 in a single-leg playoff at Stadion Rote Erde to secure their first-ever Hauptrunde place.
• The draw held immediately after the match paired Dortmund at home with title-holder Bayern Munich in the first round.
• Dortmund earned the playoff berth by winning the Westfalenpokal against local rival Schalke 04 and were promoted this year to the Regionalliga West.
• The squad underwent a major summer rebuild under new coach Markus Högner, who arrived from SGS Essen, with 16 new signings added.
• The first round is scheduled for September 27–29, with the final set for May 14, 2026 in Cologne.