The history of Arminia Bielefeld
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
Categories
Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
Bundesliga, scandal and dramatic swings
Compulsory relegation is confirmed
The DFB federal tribunal confirmed Arminia’s compulsory relegation following the bribery scandal.
The team finished the Bundesliga season without credited points and subsequently played in the Regionalliga West. The decision was a disciplinary ruling, not the consequence of one defeat.
Returns and setbacks
The shock against Darmstadt
Darmstadt 981:3
Arminia BielefeldFirst leg · May 16, 2014 · Location: Darmstadt Stadium: Stadion am BöllenfalltorArminia Bielefeld2:4a.e.t.Darmstadt 98Second leg · May 19, 2014 · Location: Bielefeld Stadium: SchücoArenaThe 3–1 away win in the first leg was not enough: Arminia lost the return match 2–4 after extra time.
Darmstadt’s late goal settled the tie at 5–5 on aggregate under the away-goals rule, which then also applied in extra time.
Cup surprises and new beginnings
Back to the second division
The final-day 1–1 draw against RB Leipzig confirmed relegation.
A mathematical chance of reaching the play-off place had still existed before the match, even though survival had become highly unlikely.
A second consecutive relegation
SV Wehen Wiesbaden4:0
Arminia BielefeldFirst leg · June 2, 2023 · Location: Wiesbaden Stadium: BRITA-ArenaArminia Bielefeld1:2SV Wehen WiesbadenSecond leg · June 6, 2023 · Location: Bielefeld Stadium: SchücoArenaAfter losing 0–4 in Wiesbaden, Arminia also lost the return play-off match 1–2.
In two years, the club had fallen from the Bundesliga to the 3. Liga.
