Elversberg, where only 13,000 people live, becomes the smallest city where promotion to the Bundesliga is possible

Elversberg will play in the Bundesliga for the first time next season after securing promotion with a 3-0 home win over Preussen Münster on Sunday, sparking wild celebrations at the Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde, where most of the city’s residents reside.

The victory, thanks to Bambase Conte’s early goal and a David Mokwa double, moved them into second place in the standings, ahead of Paderborn on goal difference, as fans poured onto the pitch to celebrate.

Paderborn will take on VfL Wolfsburg in a two-legged relegation/promotion play-off.

Elversberg suffered heartbreak in only his second ever season in the second tier last season, losing promotion in a play-off with Bundesliga side Heidenheim, but has now become the smallest city with a team in Germany’s top flight.

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Spiesen-Elversberg has a population of around 13,000, while the club’s ground has a capacity of 10,000, and Elversberg has achieved three promotions in the last five seasons, a notable increase from the lower leagues.

The club, founded in 1907, was the butt of a German train company’s joke last season.

Deutsche Bahn posted an image of a train with only one carriage and said this was the only special service needed for the play-off with Heidenheim, but Elversberg had the last laugh.

Heidenheim, meanwhile, will swap places with Elversberg next season after being relegated from the Bundesliga.

Published on May 18, 2026