Bundesliga 2019-20 fixtures revealed: Bayern take on Hertha in opener

The 57th Bundesliga season will start on Friday, 16 August, with the encounter between Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. 

The exact schedule for further Bundesliga matches will be announced the week commencing 8 July; the exact schedule for further Bundesliga 2 matches in the coming week. 

In the process of the 2019/20 season, depending on, among other things, the involvement of the clubs in international competitions and in the DFB Cup, further announcements of exact schedules will be made.

Key dates in the 2019/20 Bundesliga season

Opening fixture

Bayern Munich vs. Hertha Berlin (Friday, 16th August 2019)

As is tradition in the Bundesliga, the defending champions will open the season at home. Niko Kovac’s side got off to a winning start against Hoffenheim in 2018/19, and have now won their last seven season-opening matches as title holders.

Der Klassiker

MD11 (8-10 November): Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund

MD28 (3-6 April): Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich

Blessed with two of the most memorable Klassiker fixtures in history during 2018/19. Dortmund’s dramatic 3-2 win over Bayern in the first meeting put Dortmund clear at the top of the table, while the reverse fixture saw Bayern re-take the lead in the title race after a thumping 5-0 win at the Allianz Arena.

The two fixtures will take place on the same matchdays as last season in 2019/20, but Bayern will play at home first, with the defending champions travelling to the Signal Iduna Park on Matchday 28.

Revierderby

MD9 (25-27 October): Schalke vs. Borussia Dortmund

MD26 (13-16 March): Borussia Dortmund vs. Schalke

Much like the Klassiker, the Revierderby between Dortmund and Schalke delivered drama of the highest order. Jadon Sancho won the day on an emotional evening at the Veltins Arena, before the Royal Blues dealt a serious blow to BVB's title ambitions after coming from behind to win 4-2 at the Signal Iduna Park in late April.

This season’s fixtures will take place at the midway point of each season half, on Matchdays 9 and 26. Once again, Schalke are at home first.

Bayern vs. Leipzig

MD4 (13-15 September): RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich

MD21 (7-10 February): Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig

Bayern and Leipzig are fast building a fierce rivalry of their own.

Bayern travel to the Red Bull Arena as early as Matchday 4, the first weekend back after the international break, and before both teams play their opening group stage matches in the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League. Leipzig's pursuit of a first win on Munich soil resumes in February.

Dortmund vs. Leipzig

MD16 (17-18 December): Borussia Dortmund vs. RB Leipzig

MD33 (Saturday, 9th May 2020): RB Leipzig vs. Borussia Dortmund

While Bayern and Leipzig will meet early in the campaign, Dortmund don't face Julian Nagelsmann’s side until mid-December. Having played against each other on the opening weekend last season, this time round Dortmund host Leipzig on the penultimate weekend of the Hinrunde.

The Matchday 33 clash in Leipzig could well have major implications at the top of the table, a week before the 2019/20 campaign reaches a crescendo.

Rhine derby

MD4 (13-15 September): Cologne vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach

MD21 (7-10 February): Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Cologne

After winning the Bundesliga 2 title last season, Cologne are back in the Bundesliga and will once again meet their fiercest rivals, Borussia Mönchengladbach. These two fixtures will be played on the same weekend as Bayern's meetings with Leipzig, providing an added layer of excitement to Matchdays 4 and 21.

Berlin derby

MD10 (1-3 November): Union Berlin vs. Hertha Berlin

MD27 (20-22 March): Hertha Berlin vs. Union Berlin (7-10 February)

Hertha and Union Berlin will meet for the first time in Bundesliga history in 2019/20. It is sure to be a huge occasion in Germany’s capital on the opening weekend of November, when east (Union) entertains west (Hertha). The Olympiastadion will play host to the reverse fixture on Matchday 27.