Schalke has returned to the German top flight after three years in the second division, following a 1-0 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf in matchday 32 at the Veltins-Arena.
Until 2019, Schalke had participated in the Champions League, but since 2020, a severe financial crisis at the club led to its relegation in the 2020-21 season after 30 years of Bundesliga status.
The Royal Blues quickly returned to the Bundesliga, but suffered relegation again for the second time (and the fifth time in its history) in the 2022-23 season. Since then, they had failed to escape the second division for the last three seasons.
Ultimately, the German giants secured their return to the Bundesliga after accumulating 67 points, two matches before the end of the second division season, thanks to Kenan Karaman’s goal against Düsseldorf.
Schalke boasts a rich history and is considered one of the most prominent clubs in German football history, having won the Bundesliga title seven times, the German Cup five times, and the UEFA Cup in 1997, in addition to reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2011.
Thus, the famous Ruhr derby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund will return after a long absence, and the biggest winners will be football fans around the world.
