The German Football League (DFL) has unveiled the complete fixture lists for the 2026/27 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga campaigns. The top flight will begin on Friday 28 August, while the second tier kicks off three weeks earlier on 7 August.
Bayern Munich will host VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga opener. The fixture will take place at the Allianz Arena on Friday 28 August, with kick-off set for 20:30 CET.
In the 2. Bundesliga, VfL Bochum will face Hertha BSC in the division’s opening match on 7 August. This fixture will also begin at 20:30 CET.
Broadcast schedule pending
Although the dates are now confirmed, exact kick-off times for the early rounds remain subject to final broadcast arrangements. The DFL will announce precise scheduling for Bundesliga matchdays one through four during calendar week 29. This mid-July announcement will determine whether fixtures are played on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons or Sunday slots.
For the second tier, kick-off times for the opening two matchdays will be confirmed next week. Details for matchdays three through six will arrive the following week, coinciding with the Bundesliga announcement.
Implications for clubs and supporters
The fixture release enables clubs to finalise their pre-season preparations with specific opponents in mind. Teams can now structure their summer training camps and friendly schedules around the confirmed opening dates. Supporters can book travel and accommodation for the opening weeks, though they should remain flexible regarding kick-off times until the mid-July announcement.
The three-week gap between the 2. Bundesliga start and the Bundesliga opener gives second-tier clubs an earlier entry into competitive action. This staggered approach allows the lower division to establish early momentum before the top flight begins, while also ensuring broadcast coverage is distributed across both competitions throughout August.
With the DFL set to confirm exact timings in July, attention now turns to pre-season preparations as the countdown to the 2026/27 campaign begins.