Bundesliga
Might Bayern Munich wobble as their post-Thomas Müller era begins? Will Borussia Dortmund continue their upsurge and mount a serious challenge for silverware? And what new innovations can you look forward to in 2025/26?
Here are five reasons to look forward to the new campaign...
1) What now for Bayern after Müllergeddon?
Players come and go at every club, every season – but never quite like this. Thomas Müller joined Bayern at the age of 10 in 2000 and had been part of the first-team squad since 2008, ultimately contributing 150 Bundesliga goals and 238 assists.
As impressive as that is, it is arguably the 35-year-old’s off-field presence that Bayern will miss even more following his departure upon Bayern's exit from the FIFA Club World Cup.
His laid-back style and popularity in the dressing room set the tone for the team and created a harmonious environment.
Soft skills like that are hard to come by, so who will step up for Bayern as they begin a new chapter without the club legend?
Watch: Bayern Munich 2024/25 best moments
2) Dortmund on the up
Any Bayern stumble could prove costly as they navigate new terrain, particularly with old rivals Dortmund looking like their best selves again.
BVB were 10th in the table at the halfway stage of 2024/25, leading to Nuri Şahin being sacked as head coach at the end of January. Niko Kovač took over a couple of weeks later but endured a rocky start that included four defeats in his first six Bundesliga games.
Since then, however, it’s been an upward trend for the 53-year-old, who steered the Black-and-Yellows to 22 points from a possible 24 in the last eight matches of the campaign, while also beating Barcelona 3-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
Furthermore, unlike in previous summers in which high-profile players such as Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham departed, there has been no major upheaval this year.
The arrival of Jobe Bellingham, as well as permanent deals for Daniel Svensson and Yan Couto, mean Kovač has a solid core to work with. The time is ripe, therefore, for Dortmund to mount a serious Meisterschale challenge, having gone agonisingly close on the final day of 2022/23.
Watch: Jobe Bellingham's first Dortmund training session
3) The return of some BIG derbies
With Cologne and Hamburg earning promotion from Bundesliga 2, get set for goals, drama and plenty more passion in the stands in the top flight this year.
Both teams are based in major German cities and, as such, have huge fan bases and large stadiums, each housing close to or over 50,000 spectators.
Furthermore, their top-flight comebacks mean the return of some major derbies. There is no love lost between Hamburg and their city rivals St. Pauli, who narrowly avoided the drop last term. If you’re a fan of full-blooded tackles and no-holds-barred football, this fixture is for you.
Cologne, meanwhile, will be keen to bring neighbours Bayer Leverkusen down a peg or two after their successes in recent years and show them who’s boss on the Rhine.
Watch: Hamburg back at last!
4) Star power and ones to watch
The Bundesliga is once again home to some of the best in the business in 2025/26. Harry Kane and Michael Olise both impressed for Bayern last season, registering a combined 38 goals and 23 assists in the Bundesliga alone.
RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi sparkled upon returning to fitness at the start of 2025, while UEFA Champions League top scorer Serhou Guirassy, as well as the likes of Hugo Ekitiké and Patrik Schick, all bring in the punters.
Not only that, but as the league with a glittering reputation for bringing through youngsters, there are sure to be plenty of fresh-faced talents on display once more.
Will VfB Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade (23) cement his growing status as a leading man? How will 20-year-old Tom Bischof get on as he tries to muscle his way into Bayern’s midfield? And what of new Leverkusen prospect Ibrahim Maza (19), who impressed with five goals and three assists in Bundesliga 2 with Hertha Berlin last season?
Watch: A closer look at Kane's 2024/25 season
5) New ways to experience live football
From being the first major sports league worldwide to establish covid-19 protocols, to installing corner flag cameras, using RefCams and implementing new, more discerning in-game stats in real time – to name but a few - the Bundesliga is synonymous with innovation and creativity.
>>> Get the official Bundesliga app right here!
Watch: The Bundesliga's latest camera innovations
More is in store this season too, with a revamped app and Fantasy game allowing you to experience football like never before.
Watch this space as the season gets closer!