Bundesliga 2026/2027: A Preview by Oranje Palace

Following the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga, the [Bundesliga](/sport# sports-hub/football/germany/bundesliga), German soccer’s top league, will also kick off on August 28. With Der Klassiker between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the Revierderby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, and countless other exciting matches, there’s plenty to look forward to once again.

Can Bayern Munich win the Meisterschale again? Or will Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, or VfB Stuttgart manage to dethrone the record-holding German champions? And what can we expect from newly promoted Schalke 04, which is returning to the top flight after a three-year absence? Whatever happens, at Oranje Palace you can read everything you need to know about one of Europe’s most popular soccer leagues. Let’s get started!

When does the 2026/2027 Bundesliga season start?

The 2026/2027 Bundesliga officially kicks off on Friday, August 28, 2026. The season opener will feature Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart, making for a major showdown right off the bat. A total of eighteen clubs will each play one home and one away game against every other team, meaning each team will play 34 matches. The final matchday of the season is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2027.

##Bundesliga: A Look Back at the 2025/2026 Season

It should come as no surprise, but last season it was once again Bayern Munich that showed its best side. The Rekordmeister was crowned German champion once again, and did so in impressive fashion. Vincent Kompany’s team ultimately earned 89 points from 34 games and lost only once. With a staggering 122 goals, the team also set a Bundesliga record for the most goals scored in a single season.

One of the standout players was Harry Kane. With 36 goals, the English forward was the Bundesliga’s top scorer for the third consecutive season. In doing so, he once again won the Torjägerkanone and proved yet again that he remains one of the best strikers in the world.

Borussia Dortmund finished in second place and, under Niko Kovač, had a much stronger season than the previous year. The Dortmunders earned 73 points and ultimately finished 16 points behind Bayern. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig returned to the Champions League. The club finished third with 65 points and, as it does every year, saw a number of young players break through. For example, Yan Diomandé transferred to Real Madrid for more than €100,000,000.

There was plenty of action at the bottom of the standings as well. 1. FC Heidenheim and FC St. Pauli were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. VfL Wolfsburg finished in sixteenth place and therefore had to try to avoid relegation through the playoffs. Ultimately, they were unsuccessful, resulting in Paderborn’s return to the Bundesliga after a six-year absence.

Bundesliga 2026/2027: Matchday 1 Schedule

Below is the complete schedule for the first round of matches:

Promoted and Relegated Teams

Just like every season, at least two clubs leave the Bundesliga, while new teams take their place. This year, three clubs are returning to the top flight. The biggest name is, of course, Schalke 04. The Gelsenkirchen-based club won the 2. Bundesliga title and is returning to the top flight after three years. For Schalke fans, this means that matches against Germany’s biggest clubs are finally back on the schedule.

SV Elversberg also earned direct promotion to the Bundesliga. This is a historic milestone for the club, as it marks the first time Elversberg will compete for a season at the top level of Germany.

The third team to be promoted is SC Paderborn 07. Paderborn finished third in the 2. Bundesliga and therefore had to secure promotion through the playoffs. The club managed to defeat Wolfsburg in the playoffs and will therefore return to the Bundesliga. On the other hand, VfL Wolfsburg, 1. FC Heidenheim, and FC St. Pauli will be playing one division lower this season.

##Which clubs will compete in the 2026/2027 Bundesliga?

As in previous years, the Bundesliga consists of eighteen teams. Below is an overview of all the clubs that will compete in the 2026/2027 season:

Top Matches of the 2026/2027 Bundesliga Season

The Bundesliga is all about power, speed, and stadiums with an incredible atmosphere—not to mention the exciting matchups between top clubs and the thrilling derbies.

One of the absolute highlights is Der Klassiker between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Germany’s two biggest clubs have been delivering spectacular matches for years, with Dortmund having tried for years to get the better of Bayern Munich in the battle for the national title.

This season, the Bundesliga is also gaining a fantastic new rivalry with Schalke 04. The return of the team from western Germany means that the Revierderby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund is back on the schedule. The matches between these two clubs are among the most intense atmospheres.

The matchups between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are always interesting, too. In recent years, Leipzig has established itself as a regular challenger to Bayern and finished third last season. It’s especially interesting because there are usually a lot of goals scored in almost every match.

And what about the Baden-Württemberg derby between VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim? Stuttgart had another excellent year, qualified for the Champions League, and will once again try to compete among Germany’s top teams this year. The question is: Can Die Schwaben match their performance?

Favorites for the Bundesliga Title

It should come as no surprise that Bayern Munich is once again considered the heavy favorite to win the Bundesliga. The record champions clinched the title last season with 89 points and 122 goals scored. In addition, Bayern boasts a roster full of world-class stars, including Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, and Michael Olise. Ismaël Saibari has also joined the team. The PSV player transferred from the Eredivisie for approximately €50,000,000.

Of course, Harry Kane remains a player to watch in this regard. He scored 36 goals and was once again crowned Germany’s top scorer. And yet, we shouldn’t underestimate Luis Diaz and Michael Olise either. Both wingers made their mark again during preseason and will once again lead the team from southern Germany.

Dutch Players in the Bundesliga

This season, too, there are several Dutch players active in the Bundesliga. With his transfer to Borussia Dortmund, Joey Veerman is a standout newcomer, but experienced players like Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Mark Flekken also remain interesting to watch.

Joey Veerman - Borussia Dortmund

Joey Veerman made the move from PSV to Borussia Dortmund this summer. With his passing, game sense, and excellent shooting technique, the midfielder is expected to bring extra creativity to Germany’s second-place team. Can he adapt immediately to the Bundesliga.

Mark Flekken - Bayer Leverkusen

Mark Flekken played briefly in the Premier League, but now guards the goal for Bayer Leverkusen. The goalkeeper joined from Brentford and signed a contract through 2028. After a somewhat difficult season, he’ll get another chance this season to prove himself at the top German club.

Frequently Asked Questions

What derbies are there in the Bundesliga?

The Bundesliga features several major derbies. The Revierderby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 is one of the best known, while matches between Bayern Munich and other Bavarian clubs also generate a lot of rivalry.

Which newly promoted team is the most interesting to follow?

Schalke 04 immediately stands out. The club is one of the biggest names to be promoted from the 2. Bundesliga this season and is returning to the top flight after three years. The return of the Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund, in particular, makes this season extra special for Schalke.

Which Dutch players are currently playing in the Bundesliga?

This season, Joey Veerman, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and Mark Flekken, among others, are playing in the Bundesliga. Veerman plays for Borussia Dortmund, Gouweleeuw plays for FC Augsburg, and Flekken is the goalkeeper for Bayer Leverkusen.

Which club is the top contender for the Bundesliga title?

Bayern Munich starts as the clear favorite to win the Bundesliga title. The Rekordmeister won the championship last season and boasts a wealth of individual talent with players such as Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Michael Olise. Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen are considered major contenders to challenge the top club.