The 2026-27 Bundesliga begins on August 28, and before the first ball is kicked there is one clear benchmark in the title race: Bayern Munich. The defending champions are coming off a dominant 2025-26 campaign, while Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen have reasons to believe they can narrow the gap.
Who are the favorites to win the 2026-27 Bundesliga?
Bayern Munich once again enter the season as the benchmark in Germany, while Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen will attempt to close the gap to the defending champions.
Bayern Munich remain the team to beat
Bayern Munich won a second consecutive Bundesliga title and finished last season with 89 points, 16 more than Dortmund. Vincent Kompany’s side lost only once, scored 122 goals and posted a +86 goal difference, numbers that explain why the Bavarians once again start from a position of strength.
They also retain an elite attacking core led by Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz, with Joshua Kimmich remaining a key figure in midfield. Bayern added Ismael Saibari from PSV and Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt during the summer. Kompany’s continuity provides another important source of stability.
Borussia Dortmund are the closest challengers
Borussia Dortmund finished second in 2025-26 with 73 points and produced one particularly encouraging number: they conceded only 34 league goals, the best defensive record in the Bundesliga. With Niko Kovač established as head coach and Serhou Guirassy still leading the attack, BVB will look to turn that defensive consistency into a closer title race.
The club has also strengthened its creative options with Joey Veerman, Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias. After finishing eight points ahead of Leipzig, Dortmund enter the campaign as Bayern’s most immediate challenger based on recent performance and continuity.
RB Leipzig and Stuttgart aim to take another step
RB Leipzig finished third with 65 points and return to the Champions League, but begin a new era under Martín Demichelis. Rocco Reitz and Maxime Estève are among the additions, although the sale of Yan Diomande to Real Madrid removes one of last season’s breakout attacking players. How quickly Leipzig adapt to Demichelis will be crucial.
VfB Stuttgart, fourth with 62 points, offer a different strength: continuity. Sebastian Hoeneß remains in charge after taking the club back into the Champions League, while Deniz Undav enters the campaign after scoring 19 Bundesliga goals last season. Keeping most of the team’s core intact gives Stuttgart an established foundation.
Can Leverkusen return to the title race?
Bayer Leverkusen begin a step behind the leading contenders after finishing sixth with 59 points. However, the 2023-24 champions have started a new cycle under Carles Martínez and still have Patrik Schick, who scored 16 Bundesliga goals last season. The potential remains, but Leverkusen will need a significant improvement to become genuine title challengers again.
Bayern therefore begin as the clear benchmark, Dortmund as the closest pursuer, with Leipzig, Stuttgart and Leverkusen forming the next group of contenders.
