VfL Bochum kicks off new season - U19 and U17 schedules released. The teams led by coaches Stefan Ruthenbeck and Norbert Elgert are looking forward to the challenges of the coming months. With 44 points and a 9th place in the 2. Bundesliga, VfL Bochum is currently 26 points behind leader FC Schalke 04.

What are the goals for the new season?

The U19 of VfL Bochum will host 1. FC Köln in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Stefan Ruthenbeck, coach of the U19, said: „I don't know what we did to God that we have to play VfL Bochum in the first round.“

What do the schedules look like?

The U19 of FC Schalke 04 will face SV Rödinghausen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Norbert Elgert, head coach of the U19, said: „Rödinghausen has been a strong Westfalenligist for years and is also the foundation of an established Regionalliga team. Therefore, we expect a really strong opponent, especially away from home.“

What's next?

VfL Bochum is currently 9th in the 2. Bundesliga with 44 points, 26 points behind leader FC Schalke 04. The team has won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 games and is on a 3-game winning streak. The last win was on May 17, 2026, against Karlsruher SC with a score of 2:1.

How important are the youth teams for the club?

The youth teams of VfL Bochum play an important role for the club. They are supposed to promote young talent and prepare them for the first team. With the released schedules, fans can now follow the dates of the U19 and U17 teams and support the young players.