Der Klassiker, derbies and more: Key dates for 2026/27 Bundesliga season
The fixture list for the 2026/27 Bundesliga season has now been released, so get your calendars out to mark down the dates of some of the upcoming campaign’s biggest clashes, from Der Klassiker to derbies and expected key matches at the top end of the table.
Matchday 1: Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart
The season’s opening match was confirmed the day before the full fixture list was revealed. Champions Bayern won all three domestic trophies in 2025/26 thanks to victories against Stuttgart, lifting the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, the DFB Cup and beating them on Matchday 30 to secure the Bundesliga title.
Stuttgart may have lost their last six meetings with Bayern, but they have a chance to set the tone for the season ahead in what promises to be a thrilling opener at the Allianz Arena on 28 August. The previous two Matchday 1 encounters between the two southern giants both ended in draws in 1970 and 1977…
Matchday 5: Cologne vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
One of the first big derbies of the new season comes on Matchday 5 when Rhine rivals Cologne welcome Gladbach for the 101st Bundesliga meeting between these former champions in early October. Last term’s encounter at the RheinEnergieStadion turned out to be one of the more memorable derbies across the century of encounters, with three goals scored in the first seven minutes in a 3-3 draw on Matchday 27.
Matchday 6: Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig
There were six goals scored in each of last season’s games between Bayern and Leipzig, as the champions ran out 6-0 winners on opening night and then got a 5-1 victory at the Red Bull Arena in January. It’s perhaps only fitting that this campaign’s first meeting therefore comes on Matchday 6.
It will no doubt be a special moment as well for Martín Demichelis, as the former Bayern defender and youth coach returns to Munich with his new club for a competitive fixture for the first time. The two sides also meet in a friendly at the Allianz Arena on 15 August.
Watch: Leipzig's Demichelis's best goals from his Bayern days
Matchday 8: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
It’s perhaps notable that the defending champions play some of their biggest rivals at home in the Hinrunde, meaning key away trips in 2027. The one that most fans will look for first is Der Klassiker, as Bayern welcome Dortmund to Munich on Halloween weekend.
BVB have caused the Bavarians a few frights in recent times, picking up points in three of the last five Bundesliga encounters. Free-scoring Bayern may have edged both Klassikers last season, but the pair meet again in Dortmund even before the league campaign begins in this year’s Franz Beckenbauer Supercup on 22 August.
Watch: Are you ready for Der Klassiker?
Matchday 10: Werder Bremen vs. Hamburg
The Nordderby is one of German football’s biggest fixtures and rivalries, returning to Bundesliga calendars last season after a seven-year absence. The two northern giants have faced each other 155 times before and will now meet again in November.
The two 2025/26 fixtures produced thrilling home wins apiece as the fans enjoyed the Nordderby’s return. Hamburg won 3-2 at the Volksparkstadion before Werder got revenge with a 3-1 victory at the Weserstadion. Will home advantage hold again this time around?
Matchday 12: Schalke vs. Borussia Dortmund
Talking of returning big games, the Revierderby is finally back on Bundesliga calendars after Schalke’s three-year top-flight absence. Fans will have to wait a while, though, with the 101st Bundesliga derby not until early December in Gelsenkirchen.
The past has showed that the form book very much goes out the window when it comes to the Revierderby. Schalke may be the promoted underdogs and Dortmund the favourites on paper after their runners-up finish last season, but we know absolutely anything can happen on derby day in the Ruhr.
