On May 2, 2026, Schalke 04 celebrated their return to the Bundesliga with a decisive home victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf. The match took place at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, marking a significant turnaround after years of struggle for the club.
Kenan Karaman scored the only goal of the match in the 15th minute, ensuring Schalke’s promotion back to the top tier of German football. This win not only secured automatic promotion but also extended their unbeaten league run to an impressive twelve games.
After spending three long years in the 2. Bundesliga, Schalke’s journey back to the Bundesliga has been filled with challenges. They faced relegation from the top division during the disastrous 2020/21 season, which left fans and players alike disheartened.
The current state of affairs is promising for Schalke. They have been on an incredible run, with their home form being particularly strong—only one defeat at home this season.
This victory against Düsseldorf was also their fifth consecutive win, further solidifying their position at the top of the second division. They are now well-placed to clinch the title ahead of Paderborn.
Edin Džeko’s return to Schalke in January proved pivotal, as he contributed six goals in just nine league appearances. His experience has been invaluable during this campaign.
Frank Baumann’s leadership as Schalke’s new administrative top boss has also played a crucial role in steering the club back on course. Meanwhile, Miron Muslic’s appointment as head coach transformed a struggling team into serious promotion contenders.
As Karaman aptly put it, “We waited a long time for this moment… I’m just happy that we could take the final step at home because the fans deserve it.” The sentiment resonates deeply among supporters who have endured tough times.
Timo Becker echoed this sentiment: “Nothing is more important than bringing this club back to where it belongs.” The fans have shown unwavering support throughout this tumultuous period.
Now that Schalke has returned to where it belongs—back in the Bundesliga—one can’t help but wonder how they will fare against tougher competition next season. Can they build on this momentum and avoid another relegation?