Overview

• Defending champions Bayern Munich launch the 2025/26 campaign at the Allianz Arena against RB Leipzig after winning the Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup.
• Harry Kane voiced worries about Bayern’s thin squad following the Supercup, sharpening questions about the champions’ depth.
• RB Leipzig retooled with roughly €112m in signings and saw 18-year-old Yan Diomande score on his DFB-Pokal debut, with talks reported to be ongoing with Chelsea over Xavi Simons.
• Borussia Dortmund under Niko Kovač are framed as primary challengers, leaning on prolific scorer Serhou Guirassy and adding Jobe Bellingham.
• VfB Stuttgart are touted as a potential surprise after their DFB-Pokal triumph, keeping Nick Woltemade and adding prospect Noah Darvich, with coaches Sebastian Hoeneß, Julian Schuster and Augsburg’s Sandro Wagner highlighted as ones to watch.