Jonas Hector's (l.) Cologne will have to deal with Holstein Kiel's Janni Serra (r.) in the Bundesliga promotion/relegation play-off. - © /

bundesliga

Cologne to face Holstein Kiel in 2020/21 Bundesliga promotion/relegation play-off

23.05.2021

Bundesliga club Cologne will face Bundesliga 2's Holstein Kiel in the 2020/21 promotion/relegation play-off to determine who will be playing in Germany's top flight next season.

Cologne avoided automatic relegation on the final day of the regular season, but finished two points away from outright safety, meaning their season goes into a dramatic period of extra-time against Kiel, who secured a two-legged shot at the big time after finishing third in Bundesliga 2.

Cologne will be at home in the first leg on 26 May. The away leg takes place on 29 May at Kiel's Holstein-Stadion.

Inaugural Bundesliga winners in 1963, Cologne were last relegated at the end of 2017/18, but bounced straight back as Bundesliga 2 champions.

Kiel, meanwhile, are looking to become the 57th club to play in Germany's top flight. After knocking Bayern Munich out of the DFB Cup in January - thus denying the Bavarians the chance of another double this season - they have never been so close to Germany's top flight since only narrowly missing out on a slot in the inaugural 1963/64 Bundesliga season.

Schalke and Werder Bremen have already been relegated from the Bundesliga, with Bochum and Greuther Fürth gaining automatic promotion in their stead.