German 2. Bundesliga promotion race sees Wolfsburg and Hansa Rostock favored

VfL Wolfsburg, relegated from the Bundesliga, is targeting an immediate return to the top tier. The club will receive €50 million backing from its owner, Volkswagen, as announced by VW CEO Oliver Blume, who described Wolfsburg as a "sanierungsfall" and pledged a fresh start. New sport‑director Dieter Hecking aims to reshape the club’s image and leverage the support to make the team competitive in the upcoming 2. Bundesliga season.

Meanwhile, a fan poll conducted by liga3‑online.de identified FC Hansa Rostock as the clear favourite for promotion. Supporters praised the club’s stable squad, recent financial resources, and large fan base, arguing that these factors give Rostock a realistic chance of returning to the second division ahead of rivals such as Fortuna Düsseldorf and Rot‑Weiss Essen.