Bayern’s dominance tested in OneFootball’s Bundesliga preview

OneFootball’s Bundesliga 26/27 guide asks whether any side can match Bayern Munich, the Super Cup champions, as they open the season against Stuttgart on Friday, 28 August, at 3:30 p.m. Brasília time. The preview highlights the league’s missing ball‑rolling excitement among Europe’s top competitions.

OneFootball’s guide and Friday’s kickoff

The guide also lists La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Premier League and Liga Portugal, noting that only the ball rolling in the Bundesliga was still missing among Europe’s top football leagues. This comparative snapshot underscores the league’s unique appeal within the continent.

The season kicks off on Friday, 28 August, with Bayern Munich facing Stuttgart at 3:30 p.m. Brasília time. Bayern enter as Super Cup champions and will look to assert their dominance from the first whistle.

Promotion and European picture

Schalke 04 have returned to the top flight after three seasons in Bundesliga 2, crowned champions, with former Liverpool keeper Karius remaining in goal and veteran Džeko renewing his contract. Elversberg made history by earning a first‑ever promotion, representing a town of 7,000 inhabitants. Paderborn secured the final promotion spot, finished third, knocked out Wolfsburg and return to the top flight after missing it since the 2019/2020 season.

European qualification is allocated as follows: the Champions League takes the top four, or five depending on the German coefficient; the Europa League receives the fifth‑placed side; the Conference League the sixth; the bottom two clubs are relegated directly, while the 16th‑placed side faces a two‑legged playoff against the third‑placed team from Bundesliga 2.

Heimsieg for Bayern as they open Bundesliga with Stuttgart win

Broadcast rights are split among several platforms: SporTV will air 68 matches, Canal GOAT five per round, CazéTV two per round, SportyNet three per round via YouTube and pay‑TV, Jovem Pan one per round free‑to‑air and on YouTube, Xsports an undisclosed number, and OneFootball will offer all matches on a pay‑per‑view basis.

Rival clubs, signings and Bayern’s legacy

Bayern have kept a stable core, with Kompany not losing a single starter. They added Ismael Saibari from PSV for €50 million as a reliable backup for Kane, and Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt for €50 million as the likely first‑choice left‑back.

Borussia Dortmund are aiming to end a title drought that has lasted since the 2010/2011 season. Their strategy includes signing two young Greek players, with a special mention of Konstantinos Karetsas, to bolster Niko Kovač’s squad.

RB Leipzig’s Brazilian forward Rômulo is expected to be a main attraction, while Bayer Leverkusen opened the checkbook after missing out on the Champions League. Eintracht Frankfurt remain a question mark after a below‑expectations season, and Hoffenheim generate excitement following a strong campaign and a return to European competition. Schalke’s safe campaign in the top flight is also under scrutiny.

Bayern’s opening surge overwhelms Stuttgart in Bundesliga debut

The most expensive signings this window include Saibari and Brown at €50 million each, Konstantinos Karetsas at €30 million, Afonso Moreira at €29.5 million, and several €25‑€26 million deals. Brazilian players feature across clubs: Arthur at Leverkusen, Kauã Prates at Dortmund, Kauã Santos and Otávio at Eintracht, Arthur Chaves and Bernardo at Hoffenheim, and Rômulo at Leipzig.

Bayern Munich’s historic pedigree is reflected in 35 league titles, won in seasons ranging from 1932 to 2025–26, confirming their status as the benchmark for German football.