Bayern Munich opens the 2026-27 Bundesliga season by hosting VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Why it matters: This match marks the beginning of a new Bundesliga season, with Bayern Munich looking to defend their title against a formidable opponent in VfB Stuttgart, who finished in the top four last year.
Bayern Munich is the reigning champion, having won 13 of the last 14 Bundesliga titles.
VfB Stuttgart aims to build on last season's success, where they secured a UEFA Champions League spot.
The match is a rematch of last season's DFB-Pokal final, adding extra intrigue.
Driving the news: The Bundesliga season kicks off with Bayern Munich facing Stuttgart, with both teams eager for a winning start.
The match begins at 2:30 p.m. ET at Allianz Arena, with Bayern looking to continue their dominance in the league.
Fans are excited as Bayern aims to extend their record of success, having finished 16 points ahead of second-place Borussia Dortmund last season.
Bayern recently won the German Super Cup, defeating Dortmund 2-1, setting a positive tone for the season.
State of play: Both teams come into the match with notable absences and tactical strategies.
Bayern Munich will be without midfielder Jamal Musiala, recovering from seizures, and winger Serge Gnabry, sidelined with a thigh tendon injury.
Stuttgart is missing several players, including Dennis Seimen and Dan-Axel Zagadou, but they are still expected to be competitive.
Vincent Kompany manages Bayern, looking to leverage his squad's attacking prowess led by Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
The big picture: This match sets the stage for what fans can expect throughout the Bundesliga season.
Bayern Munich is currently favored to win the championship again, with betting odds at -800.
Stuttgart finished fourth last season, making them a strong contender in the league.
Last season, Bayern scored a record 122 goals in 34 Bundesliga games, highlighting their offensive capabilities.
What they're saying: Coaches and players from both sides express anticipation for the match.
“We have total hunger, but so does Stuttgart. These meetings are usually tight,” Kompany said, emphasizing the competitive nature of the matchup.
Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß noted the importance of starting strong, especially against a top team like Bayern.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the performance of Harry Kane, who scored an impressive 61 goals in all competitions last season.
By the numbers: Key statistics highlight the expectations for the match.
Bayern Munich had a goal differential of +86 last season, the best in the league.
VfB Stuttgart also performed well, finishing with a goal differential of +22, ranking third.
Harry Kane scored 36 goals in 31 league games last season, making him a key player for Bayern.
Deniz Undav netted 19 goals in 29 games for Stuttgart, making him a player to watch.
What's next: Following this match, both teams will look to build momentum for the season ahead.
Bayern Munich will aim to maintain their winning streak as they face other Bundesliga teams in the coming weeks.
Stuttgart will seek to recover from this match quickly and focus on securing points early in the season.
Fans can expect more thrilling matches as the Bundesliga continues, with Bayern aiming for another title and Stuttgart looking to challenge the top teams.
The Bundesliga season begins with high stakes as Bayern Munich takes on VfB Stuttgart. With both teams eager to prove themselves, fans can expect an exciting match at Allianz Arena.