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Bundesliga
FC Bayern Munich demolished Rottach-Egern 15-0 in pre-season, VfB Stuttgart crushed Kickers Offenbach 8-1, and Borussia Dortmund suffered a surprise loss in Japan as Bundesliga clubs ramp up preparations for the 2026-27 campaign.
The Bundesliga 2026-27 pre-season is officially underway, and FC Bayern Munich are wasting absolutely zero time reminding the rest of Germany who sits on the throne. The reigning champions rolled into their training camp in Rottach-Egern and promptly dismantled the local side 15-0 in a friendly that was less a football match and more a full-scale exhibition of firepower.
Sure, it was Rottach-Egern. Nobody is booking tickets to the Champions League final based on the result. But what matters here is the sheer depth Bayern Munich put on display. Summer signing Nathaniel Brown was among the scorers, immediately making his presence felt and giving Vincent Kompany more options in an already stacked squad. For anyone looking at Bayern's Bundesliga title odds this season, this kind of squad depth is precisely why they remain the team to beat.
It is not just Bayern making noise. VfB Stuttgart hammered Kickers Offenbach 8-1 in a friendly that showcased serious intent ahead of what promises to be a pivotal campaign for the club. Serbian teenager Lazar Jovanović grabbed a brace, and if you did not know his name before, you might want to remember it now. Stuttgart have a knack for developing young talent, and Jovanović looks like the next prospect ready to announce himself on the Bundesliga stage.
Stuttgart's opening day assignment? They travel to face Bayern Munich when the Bundesliga season kicks off on 28 August. That is a blockbuster curtain-raiser, and given how both clubs have started their pre-season, the anticipation is building rapidly. It is a fixture that could set the tone for the entire title race. Bettors looking for early-season drama can explore match odds for that clash on Epicbet.
Not every Bundesliga giant had a smooth start. Borussia Dortmund kicked off their pre-season tour in Japan with a 1-0 defeat to Cerezo Osaka. It is only a friendly, but losing to a J1 League side is never a great look, especially when you are trying to build momentum for a genuine title challenge. Dortmund will hope this was nothing more than early rust, but it is a result that will have their fanbase watching the next few friendlies closely.
Pre-season is supposed to be about building fitness and chemistry, but sometimes it delivers unwelcome news. Mainz saw their summer signing Eric Martel pick up an injury during a friendly against Shabab Al-Ahli. Mainz still won the match, but the victory was completely overshadowed by the Martel setback. For a club that brought him in to strengthen the squad for the new campaign, losing him before a competitive ball has been kicked is a significant blow. The extent of the injury will be closely monitored as the DFB-Pokal first round approaches (21 to 24 August).
Eintracht Frankfurt are working to integrate their new arrivals, and one of them, Otávio, has already spoken warmly about the role compatriot Kauã Santos has played in helping him settle. It is a small detail, but squad harmony matters. Frankfurt know that getting their new signings comfortable quickly could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
With the Bundesliga season set to begin on 28 August and the DFB-Pokal first round running from 21 to 24 August, the competitive action is just weeks away. Bayern Munich remain the clear favourites, but Stuttgart are signalling ambition, Dortmund are rebuilding confidence after their Japan wobble, and clubs like Mainz and Frankfurt are navigating the typical pre-season mix of excitement and adversity.
The storylines are already writing themselves, and the season has not even started yet. That is the beauty of the Bundesliga: the drama begins well before matchday one.
For fans and bettors eager to get involved in the new Bundesliga season, exciting betting opportunities on match outcomes and tournament results are available at Epicbet.
Jon
