The 1985–86 Bundesliga was the 23rd season of the Bundesliga, the premier football league in West Germany. It began on 9 August 1985 and ended on 26 April 1986. Bayern Munich were the defending champions.

Competition modus

Every team played two games against each other team, one at home and one away. Teams received two points for a win and one point for a draw. If two or more teams were tied on points, places were determined by goal difference and, if still tied, by goals scored. The team with the most points were crowned champions while the two teams with the fewest points were relegated to 2. Bundesliga. The third-to-last team had to compete in a two-legged relegation/promotion play-off against the third-placed team from 2. Bundesliga.

Team changes to 1984–85

Karlsruher SC and Eintracht Braunschweig were directly relegated to the 2. Bundesliga after finishing in the last two places. They were replaced by 1. FC Nürnberg and Hannover 96. Karlsruhe and Braunschweig were eventually joined in demotion by relegation/promotion play-off participant Arminia Bielefeld, who lost on aggregate against 1. FC Saarbrücken.

Team overview

League table

Results

Relegation play-offs

Borussia Dortmund and third-placed 2. Bundesliga team SC Fortuna Köln had to compete in a two-legged relegation/promotion play-off. After a two-leg series, both teams were tied 3–3 on aggregate, so a deciding third match had to be scheduled. Dortmund won this match, 8–0, and retained their Bundesliga status.

Top goalscorers

Champion squad