Elversberg earned promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time after beating Preussen Muenster 3-0 at home on May 14, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Bambase Conte scored an early goal, while David Mokwa added two more in the match that clinched the promotion [1, 2, 3].
The club finished second in the 2. Bundesliga on goal difference ahead of Paderborn, securing automatic promotion [1, 2, 3]. Paderborn will now face VfL Wolfsburg in a two-legged playoff to try to win promotion next season [1, 2, 3].
Elversberg is based in Spiesen-Elversberg, a town of around 13,000 people, making it the smallest town to have a team in Germany’s top flight [1, 2, 3]. Their home ground, Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde, currently holds 10,000 but is undergoing renovations to expand to 15,000 capacity by spring 2027 [1, 2, 3].
The club, founded in 1907 and located in Saarland, has risen rapidly through the leagues, achieving three promotions in the last five seasons after playing in the fourth tier as recently as 2021-22 [1, 2, 3]. Last season, Elversberg lost the promotion playoff to Heidenheim, who were relegated this season and will swap places with Elversberg in the Bundesliga [1, 2, 3].
Before last season’s playoff, Deutsche Bahn posted a joke image of a single-carriage train as a nod to Elversberg’s small-town status, but now the club is in the top division [1, 2, 3]. Schalke also secured promotion by winning the 2. Bundesliga title and will return to the Bundesliga next season [2].
Stadium renovations to boost capacity to 15,000 are scheduled to be completed by spring 2027 [2].
