The DFL schedule for the new Bundesliga season has been published. The first matchday brings a brutal test for newly promoted SV Elversberg: champions Bayer Leverkusen come to Elversberg for kick-off. All other top duels and exercises
The Bundesliga schedule for the 2026/27 season is here – and it starts with a bang. Newly promoted SV Elversberg has to play against reigning champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the start of the season on August 22, 2026. The start of the new Bundesliga season is traditionally a spectacle of tradition and surprises.
But this season, the DFL is sending a clear message right from the start: Elversberg, which has only just achieved promotion to the top division, is immediately confronted with its biggest challenge. Leverkusen, who dominated the championship last season, come to Elversberg as favorites - a game that will be a tough one not only in terms of sport but also psychologically. But it's not just Elversberg that has to prove itself early on.
Other top teams such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also start with challenging duels. Bayern face SC Freiburg on matchday one, while Dortmund face VfB Stuttgart. The early strain could have a direct impact on the title fight.
The schedule also shows that the Bundesliga is relying on a mix of classic duels and new challenges in the new season. RB Leipzig will face Union Berlin on the first matchday, while Eintracht Frankfurt will face 1. FC Köln.
The early confrontation with top teams could become a decisive factor for newcomers like Elversberg. Reactions to the game plan are mixed. While some fans see the early confrontation with top teams as an opportunity, others fear for the fitness of the promoted teams.
“A game like this is a huge opportunity, but also an enormous risk,” says an expert from the Sport1 editorial team. The DFL emphasizes that the game plan is fair and balanced. What's next?
It starts on August 22, 2026 - and Elversberg has to prove itself immediately. The first weeks of the season will show whether the promoted teams can withstand the pressure or whether the top teams like Leverkusen will set the tone from the start. Read at FAZ Sport
The Bundesliga schedule is more than just a list of games - it is the first tactical test of the season. For newcomers like Elversberg, the direct duel against a champion like Leverkusen is a brutal test. At the same time, the plan shows which teams will fight for the title early on and which surprises are possible. Fans can now plan their weekends while coaches and analysts analyze the early challenges. The schedule is the starting signal for a season that will be anything but boring right from the start.
FAZ Sportfaz.net2 Jul, 11:53de-de
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