Bundesliga rivals eye Bayern’s crown as new season kicks off with Beckenbauer Supercup

As Bayern Munich prepare to kick off the 2025/26 season with Saturday’s Franz Beckenbauer Supercup clash against Stuttgart, the Bundesliga’s top contenders – including Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and cup holders Stuttgart – are gearing up to challenge the reigning champions after a turbulent summer in Bavaria.

Despite being 34-time Bundesliga winners and having claimed 12 of the last 13 titles, Bayern enter the new campaign with question marks hanging over their dominance. The club has faced an underwhelming transfer window, losing key players such as Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané, and Eric Dier on free transfers, while Kingsley Coman is bound for Saudi Arabia and Mathys Tel has completed a permanent move to Tottenham.

Their pursuit of Germany star Florian Wirtz fell short, as the attacking midfielder opted for a move to Liverpool instead. Though Bayern managed to land Luis Díaz from the Premier League champions and added Germany defender Jonathan Tah from Leverkusen, their efforts to bolster the squad were largely hampered—highlighted by Stuttgart’s refusal to part ways with striker Nick Woltemade.

Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich admitted the title race could be more unpredictable this season. “We’ll see who knocks at the top,” he told Bundesliga.com. “It’s important for us to go our own way. We can’t influence what others do.”

Kimmich tipped his former side RB Leipzig to bounce back strongly after missing out on European football for the first time in their top-flight history. Under new global head of football Jürgen Klopp, the Saxon club has made eye-catching moves in the market, including Johan Bakayoko and Arthur Vermeeren.

Leverkusen’s new era begins

After challenging Bayern over the past two seasons, Leverkusen enter a period of transition. The departure of influential coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid has ushered in the arrival of Erik ten Hag, who seeks to rebuild his reputation after a mixed stint at Manchester United.

Leverkusen have seen a host of stars depart, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, Granit Xhaka to the Premier League, and Tah to Bayern. Ten Hag faces a major rebuilding job with several new faces in the squad and heightened expectations following the club’s unbeaten league and cup double in 2023/24.

Dortmund and Stuttgart in the mix

Borussia Dortmund, under title-winning coach Niko Kovač, look rejuvenated. Kovač, who took over in January, guided Dortmund from 11th to fourth in a late-season surge. With the arrival of midfielder Jobe Bellingham and minimal departures – winger Jamie Gittens left for Chelsea – Dortmund are poised to mount a serious challenge.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart, who finished runners-up last season and lifted the German Cup, will face Bayern in Saturday’s Supercup. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß has earned praise for transforming the club from relegation candidates to top contenders in just over two years.

“We have a very special team… quality players in every position,” said captain Atakan Karazor. “An amazing, amazing coach. You can see his handwriting on everything the team does.”

With Bayern looking more vulnerable than usual, and rivals strengthening or regrouping, the 2025/26 Bundesliga season promises a far more open title race than in recent memory.