The 2025/26 Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday, 22 August, as Germany's premier division returns with Bayern Munich looking to retain their title while facing challenges from a rejuvenated field of competitors.

Xabi Alonso's departure from Bayer Leverkusen to Real Madrid opens the door for new challengers, with Erik ten Hag taking over at the BayArena. Hamburger SV and 1. FC Köln return to the top flight after their respective absences, replacing Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum who drop to the second tier.

Our Bundesliga season preview for the 2025/26 campaign will guide you through the ins and outs at every club, as well as their expected strengths and weaknesses and potential lineups, though there's still time for more transfer business before the window closes.

1. FC Köln

Last season: Promoted from Bundesliga 2
Coach: Lukas Kwasniok

The team returns to the Bundesliga after just one season in the second tier, determined to re-establish themselves as a top-flight club under new coach Lukas Kwasniok.

Köln have focused on potential and squad depth, showing financial prudence following their recent relegation. The arrivals add quality and experience to their promotion-winning squad.

Possible Köln XI: Schwäbe – Hübers, Krauss, Schmied – Gazibegovic, Martel, Johannesson, Maina – Bülter, Waldschmidt, Kamiński

Strengths: A core group experienced in winning promotion, with good team spirit and organization. Their home ground traditionally provides excellent home support.

Areas of concern: The quality gap between divisions is significant, and Köln may struggle defensively. Whether the new coach can enjoy a calm period at the start of the season is always a question at the club.

RB Leipzig

Last season: 7th
Coach: Ole Werner

Die Roten Bullen endured their worst Bundesliga season and missed European qualification for the first time since 2016/17. New coach Ole Werner faces a significant rebuilding job.

Leipzig have invested heavily in young talent, continuing their philosophy of developing players for the future. However, the loss of a key striker like Sesko leaves a significant gap for a team that struggled on many occasions last season.

Possible Leipzig XI: Vandevoordt – Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum – Seiwald, Banzuzi, Vermeeren – Bakayoko, Diomande, Openda

Strengths: Werner's tactical expertise and the club's excellent youth development system provide hope. The young talent has significant potential for growth.

Areas of concern: Lack of European football has made player recruitment difficult. Werner doesn't have a good track record when it comes to developing young players for the first team, although he has worked under very different circumstances in Bremen.

1. FSV Mainz 05

Last season: 6th
Coach: Bo Henriksen

The 05ers continue under Danish coach Bo Henriksen, looking to build on their solid season and establish themselves as a team in the top half of the table.

Mainz have reinvested the Burkardt money wisely, bringing in attacking quality with Hollerbach while also strengthening their defense. The loss of their top scorer creates a significant challenge but Paul Nebel in particular could help to fill the void if he continues his impressive form.

Possible Mainz XI: Zentner – da Costa, Bell, Kohr – Caci, Kaishu, Amiri, Mwene – Nebel, Lee, Hollerbach

Strengths: A well-organized team with clear tactical principles under Henriksen. Good blend of youth and experience throughout the squad.

Areas of concern: Replacing Burkardt's goals will be crucial to their success. Squad depth may be tested by European football, especially if key players suffer injuries.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Last season: 10th
Coach: Gerardo Seoane

Die Fohlen are looking to build on an improved second half of their previous campaign under Seoane, aiming to challenge for European qualification.

Gladbach have been efficient in their transfer business, adding attacking depth to cover for the long-term injury of Tim Kleindienst who will likely be out until November. In defence, there are question marks over the centre after Itakura's departure.

Possible Gladbach XI: Nicolas – Scally, Diks, Elvedi, Netz – Weigl, Reitz – Honorat, Stöger, Hack – Tabakovic

Strengths: Tim Kleindienst's goals were crucial to their improvement, and additional attacking options should help. Young talent like Rocco Reitz continues to develop.

Areas of concern: Defensive stability could suffer with key departures. Reliance on Kleindienst for goals needs addressing with better distribution of scoring responsibility.

FC St. Pauli

Last season: 14th
Coach: Alexander Blessin

The Kiezkicker managed to stay in the league relatively comfortably, keeping their unique culture and passionate fanbase in Germany's top division.

St. Pauli have lost some key players from the previous campaign but have reinvested sensibly. The departures of Guilavogui and Treu, however, represent significant losses of creativity and work rate.

Possible St. Pauli XI: Vasilj – Wahl, Smith, Nemeth – Saliakis, Sands, Sinani, Fujita, Oppie – Hountondji, Pereira Lage

Strengths: The Millerntor atmosphere is unmatched in German football. Jackson Irvine's leadership and the team's fighting spirit are likely to be crucial in a season where success will once again be defined as staying in the league.

Areas of concern: The squad lacks players with outstanding quality and will have to continue to exceed expectations for staying up.

VfB Stuttgart

Last season: 9th
Coach: Sebastian Hoeness

Die Schwaben are coming off a DFB-Pokal triumph and are looking to combine domestic cup success with an improved league performance. Hoeness aims to guide Stuttgart back into the top third of the table.

Stuttgart haven't lost as many players as last season, although Millot's transfer represents a downgrade. The signing of Assignon shows ambition, but squad depth appears to be thin for the time being.

Possible Stuttgart XI: Nübel – Assignon, Chabot, Jaquez, Mittelstädt – Karazor, Stiller – Leweling, Undav, Führich – Woltemade

Strengths: Cup-winning mentality and an attractive attacking style under Hoeness. Home support remains strong and will be an asset both in the league and in Europe.

Areas of concern: Defensive depth which could be exposed by the demands of an upcoming European campaign. Integrating new players while maintaining momentum from the past two seasons is crucial.

1. FC Union Berlin

Last season: 13th
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Die Eisernen struggled in their previous campaign but showed improvement under Baumgart's guidance in the second half of the season.

Union have been active in the transfer market, adding experience and quality while losing some attacking threat. The signings don't suggest major improvements but the ambition to take small steps forward.

Possible Union Berlin XI: Rönnow – Doekhi, Querfeld, Rothe – Trimmel, Schäfer, Khedira, Haberer, Juranovic – Burke, Ilic

Strengths: Union Berlin's stadium "An der Alten Försterei" remains one of the more iconic grounds in the Bundesliga, and Baumgart has brought renewed energy. Defensive organization has improved significantly.

Areas of concern: Goal-scoring has been problematic, and the loss of Hollerbach is not easy to replace. Squad depth may not be sufficient for a full campaign without any relegation concerns.

Werder Bremen

Last season: 8th
Coach: Horst Steffen

Following Ole Werner's departure to Leipzig, Werder have appointed experienced coach Horst Steffen to guide them forward. The club aims to improve on their mid-table position.

Bremen have made one major signing in Mbangula and brought in experience with Wöber on loan from Leeds. In addition, there is renewed hope for the development of young talent which suffered under Ole Werner.

Possible Werder XI: Zetterer – Agu, Stark, Wöber, Friedl – Weiser, Lynen, Stage – Mbangula, Schmid, Njinmah

Strengths: Strong home support at the Weserstadion and a clear tactical identity. Young talent provides potential for future development.

Areas of concern: Adapting to a new coach's methods could take time. The lack of quality at centre forward has been an issue which may be addressed with the rumoured arrival of Andre Silva.

VfL Wolfsburg

Last season: 11th
Coach: Paul Simonis

Die Wölfe avoided relegation and are looking to rebuild under new coach Paul Simonis, focusing on establishing themselves as a solid mid-table team once again.

Wolfsburg have been active in strengthening their squad with quality additions in key areas. The investment suggests ambition to climb the table significantly – and to avoid another struggle in the lower half of the table.

Possible Wolfsburg XI: Grabara – Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle – Arnold, Souza – Majer, Skov Olsen, Wimmer, Amoura

Strengths: Financial backing and improved recruitment suggest better times ahead. The new manager comes with a good reputation from the Netherlands.

Areas of concern: Significant turnaround on and off the pitch could lead to early-season inconsistency. Defensive fragility needs addressing after relegation struggles.