The German Bundesliga is set to kick off its 2026-27 campaign. All eyes are on whether Bayern Munich, the undisputed powerhouse, will continue its dominance and how Korean players will perform in the new season.
The Bundesliga’s 2026-27 season opener will feature Bayern Munich facing off against Stuttgart on August 29 at 3:30 a.m. (KST) at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Bayern Munich, the defending champions, are the clear favorites to clinch the title. After securing both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal last season for a impressive double, they’re now gunning for a third consecutive league championship.
The squad’s core remains largely intact. Harry Kane, who netted an impressive 61 goals across all competitions last season, is back in action. Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, who contributed 26 and 22 goals respectively, are also returning. The team has further bolstered its roster with new signings Ismaël Saïdari and Nathaniel Brown.
Bayern’s advantage is further cemented as they enter their third season under head coach Vincent Kompany. Kompany’s tenure has been marked by success, clinching the Bundesliga in his debut season and achieving the league and cup double last year. With the squad now well-versed in Kompany’s tactics and system, fans can expect an even more cohesive performance this season.
Bayern has already flexed its muscles for the upcoming season, lifting the German Supercup after a victory over Dortmund on August 23.
While Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen are tipped as potential challengers to Bayern’s supremacy, the Bavarian giants still hold the edge in terms of overall squad strength. This sentiment is echoed by Opta, the renowned soccer statistics site, which rates Bayern as the top contender for the title.
The performances of Korean players in the league are also generating significant buzz.
Kim Min-jae is gearing up for his fourth season with Bayern. Despite fierce competition for starting spots with Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah last season, Kim saw regular playing time. Coach Kompany has shown faith in Kim throughout the preseason, even giving him a full 90 minutes in the Supercup clash against Dortmund.
Lee Jae-sung continues to be a key figure for Mainz in the Bundesliga. Versatile in both midfield and attack, Lee is expected to spearhead Mainz’s offensive efforts this season. He’s already off to a promising start, notching an assist in the DFB-Pokal first round just before the league kickoff.
Jens Castrop of Borussia Mönchengladbach is entering his sophomore season in the Bundesliga. After transferring last season, Castrop made his mark playing as a wing-back, tallying 3 goals and 1 assist in 26 appearances. While expectations are high for Castrop this season, a preseason shoulder injury will unfortunately sideline him for the early fixtures.
Jung Woo-young, now in his third season with Union Berlin, is looking to elevate his game. Despite opportunities as both a starter and substitute over the past two seasons, Jung hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. This season presents a crucial opportunity for him to increase his playing time and offensive contributions to solidify his role in the team.
The new season also welcomes fresh faces to the Bundesliga. Seo Young-woo, who established himself as a key defender for Red Star Belgrade over two seasons, has made the move to Augsburg, marking his debut in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Seo’s arrival adds another Korean player to the Bundesliga roster, further enhancing the league’s appeal to fans eager to follow their compatriots’ progress in the upcoming season.
