The das Eröffnungsspiel tradition began in 2002 as a single standalone fixture to open the Bundesliga after the summer break. The showpiece typically features the defending champions and often takes place at their home stadium, though recent seasons have produced exceptions with Bayern and Leverkusen playing away. Bayern will host RB Leipzig to start the 2025-26 campaign, marking the Allianz Arena's first ceremonial opening since 2020. The squad celebrated in Oktoberfest attire and hold the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup after a 2-1 win over VfB Stuttgart, while daily pressure grows on second-year coach Vincent Kompany and sporting CEO Max Eberl.
The concept of a single standalone fixture -- das Eröffnungsspiel -- to usher in the new Bundesliga season after the long summer hiatus is a relatively new one, dating back only to 2002. This showpiece Friday night event always features the defending champions and often takes place on their own pitch. However, in recent years, we have seen deviations with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, traveling to Borussia Mönchengladbach (2021 and 2024) and Bayern going to Eintracht Frankfurt (2022) and Werder Bremen (2023).
To kick off the 2025-26 season, Germany's Rekordmeister enjoys the initial home advantage in a potential tester against RB Leipzig. Not since 2020 and the days of lockdown and an 8-0 drubbing of Schalke 04 has the Allianz Arena played host to the ceremonial opening, and it will be an occasion of grandeur before 75,000 mixed with Bavarian Weißwurst (traditional sausage), beer and bonhomie.
They already have the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup in their possession after a deserved 2-1 win over Pokalsieger VfB Stuttgart on Saturday night. Yet amid the smiles and good vibes here in the Bavarian capital, there is considerable daily pressure, and not just on the playing squad.
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