(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Bundesliga Champions’ Opening Match Record Remains Unbeaten
Since the Bundesliga introduced the tradition of having the reigning champions open the new season, one thing has stayed constant: the champions have never lost the curtain-raiser. The record currently stands at 17 wins and five draws.
This tradition began in the 2002/03 season, when Borussia Dortmund faced Hertha Berlin in a 2-2 draw. Since then, the league champions have always started the new campaign without defeat, making the opener a reliable showcase for the title holders.
In the 2024/25 season, Bayer Leverkusen continued the streak with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Now, attention turns to the 2025/26 opener, where Bayern Munich will face RB Leipzig. Leipzig will be aiming to break the long-standing record, while Bayern, who reclaimed the Bundesliga crown last season, will look to extend the unbeaten run.
Unsurprisingly, Bayern Munich have been the most frequent participants in these fixtures. The Bavarian giants have appeared in the season opener 16 times, winning 13 and drawing 3.
Champions’ Opening Match Results Since 2002/03
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2002/03: Borussia Dortmund 2–2 Hertha Berlin
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2003/04: Bayern Munich 2–0 Freiburg
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2004/05: Werder Bremen 1–0 Schalke 04
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2005/06: Bayern Munich 3–0 Borussia Mönchengladbach
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2006/07: Bayern Munich 2–0 Borussia Dortmund
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2007/08: Stuttgart 2–2 Schalke 04
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2008/09: Bayern Munich 2–2 Hamburg
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2009/10: Wolfsburg 2–0 Stuttgart
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2010/11: Bayern Munich 2–1 Wolfsburg
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2011/12: Borussia Dortmund 3–1 Hamburg
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2012/13: Borussia Dortmund 2–1 Werder Bremen
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2013/14: Bayern Munich 3–1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
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2014/15: Bayern Munich 2–1 Wolfsburg
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2015/16: Bayern Munich 5–0 Hamburg
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2016/17: Bayern Munich 6–0 Werder Bremen
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2017/18: Bayern Munich 3–1 Bayer Leverkusen
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2018/19: Bayern Munich 3–1 Hoffenheim
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2019/20: Bayern Munich 2–2 Hertha Berlin
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2020/21: Bayern Munich 8–0 Schalke 04
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2021/22: Borussia Mönchengladbach 1–1 Bayern Munich
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2022/23: Eintracht Frankfurt 1–6 Bayern Munich
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2023/24: Werder Bremen 0–4 Bayern Munich
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2024/25: Borussia Mönchengladbach 2–3 Bayer Leverkusen
With no defeats in 22 opening matches, the Bundesliga champions’ record is one of the most unique traditions in European football. All eyes will now be on Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig to see if the streak continues in 2025/26.
