Schalke 04 is back! With a 1-0 (1-0) win against Düsseldorf on the 32nd matchday of the 2nd league, S04 completed promotion to the Bundesliga – and increased Fortuna’s misery.
Captain Kenan Karaman (15th) caused royal blue ecstasy with his goal early on Saturday evening (May 2nd, 2026). The league leader is nine points ahead Schalke 04 (67 points) will no longer slip out of a promotion place on the remaining match days – and the second division championship is also not unlikely. With their fourth promotion, Schalke is back in the upper house three years after their last relegation in 2023.
The Schalke fans, who had already started the festive day with a fan march with 20,000 supporters to the stadium, celebrated their return extensively minutes before the final whistle – and over 500 stewards inside ensured that there was no storming of the stadium with injuries like the last time they were promoted.
Biggest relegation worries in Düsseldorf
For Fortuna Dusseldorfwhich was in the top group for promotion last year, will still have a really tough time staying in the league in the final spurt of the season. In 15th place, Fortuna is just above the line. However, that could change with the competition’s games on Sunday.
Karaman feat breaks the spell early
Schalke players celebrating after being promoted to the Bundesliga in 2026
Schalke, who had previously been unbeaten in eleven games, started the game extremely confidently. Moussa Sylla made her first serious attempt at a shot after seven minutes, but it was aimed straight at goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier. But it only took a few more minutes before almost the entire arena became a royal blue cheering storm.
A deflected Aouchiche cross landed perfectly at Karaman on the left side of the penalty area and the fine technician, after a short reception, elegantly chipped the ball high into the right corner. 8:44 p.m. 1:0. Schalke? Bundesliga! Karaman’s 14th goal of the season turned the arena into a madhouse.
Not much comes from Fortuna for a long time
Shortly afterwards, Adil Aouchiche (19th) almost ignited level two. But a free kick from the Algerian from half-right only hit the right post. However, almost nothing came from Fortuna Düsseldorf. Cedric Itten (21′) had a chance to shoot from a tight angle, but it hardly caused any problems for Loris Karius in the Schalke goal.
It stayed that way in the second half. Schalke 04 managed the game. Düsseldorf struggled – but then became more dangerous after about an hour. Karius (60th) made a strong save against a free shot from Shinta Appelkamp. And the “miners” also woke up again. Karaman (62nd) failed in a one-on-one from half left against Kastenmeier. But overall the S04 defense became shakier and Düsseldorf became bolder.
Substitute Luca Raimund (70th) missed after a quick counterattack from half-right. But Schalke defended their narrow lead passionately and were then able to achieve promotion to the league with the coaching team around Miron Muslic and the fans football-Celebrate the Bundesliga.
Schalke to Friendship meeting – Fortuna in the struggle for existence
The promoted Schalke 04 can travel relaxed on the 33rd matchday to the already saved 1. FC Nürnberg (Saturday, May 9th, 2026, 8:30 p.m.), with whom the “Royal Blues” maintain a fan friendship.
Fortuna Düsseldorf’s second division battle for survival on Sunday (1:30 p.m.) is against SV Elversberg and thus the next promotion candidate.
Our sources:
- Second division game FC Schalke 04 against Fortuna Düsseldorf on May 2nd, 2026
Broadcast: WDR.de, “Audio live stream from sportschau.de for the game FC Schalke 04 against Fortuna Düsseldorf”, May 2nd, 2026, 8:15 p.m
