1st and 2nd Bundesliga - DFL publishes fixtures: Bundesliga starts new season with Rhine derby
FC Bayern Munchen, the German record champions with new trainer Vincent Kompany, have to travel to VfL Wolfsburg for the start of their 62nd Bundesliga season. This is evident from the schedules published by the German Football League on Thursday.
The season will begin on August 23 with the Rhine Derby between Borussia Monchengladbach and Meister Bayer Leverkusen.
There is also an exciting derby for vice champions VfB Stuttgart at the start of the season. The VfB has to play against SC Freiburg on August 24/25. A week earlier, on August 17, the Stuttgarter challenge the double winners from Leverkusen in the Supercup. The match between Bayer and FC Bayern takes place on Matchday 5 (September 27-29) in Munich and on Matchday 22 (February 14-16, 2025) in Leverkusen.
Bundesliga debut for two promotions
Newcomer Holstein Kiel has to make its Bundesliga debut away at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Co-promotee FC St. Pauli, on the other hand, can start at home. The Hamburg team receives 1. FC Heidenheim on the first matchday. The previous Champions League finalist Borussia Dortmund enjoys home advantage against Europa League participant Eintracht Frankfurt in the opening game.
The exact schedules for the first five matchdays will be announced by the DFL in mid-July. The season ends on May 17, coming year.
You can find the Bundesliga schedule for the 2024/25 season here (PDF).
You can find the 2. Bundesliga schedule here (PDF).
- Borussia Mönchengladbach, aiming to implement a successful game plan, will face Gladbach's local rivals, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, in the opening match of their Bundesliga campaign.
- Despite their strong performance in the previous season, Gladbach will face a tough challenge in the form of SC Freiburg, their opponents in the first round of matches.
- Besides Gladbach and Leverkusen, another exciting derby is set to occur in the Bundesliga, as vice champions VfB Stuttgart clash with SC Freiburg.
- In the same round, Wolfsburg, eager to show their mettle, will play against VfL Wolfsburg, adding another layer of excitement to the Bundesliga season.
- Following their initial clash in August, FC Bayern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen will meet again on Matchday 5 and Matchday 22, providing a thrilling conclusion to their season-long duel.
- The DFL has also scheduled an intriguing encounter between the record champions, FC Bayern Munich, and the Champions League finalist, Borussia Dortmund, in the opening game of the season.
