2026 has begun – and with it the look ahead to many football highlights over the coming 12 months. fcbayern.com has picked out a few events that should be of particular importance to fans of the German record champions.
11 January: Bundesliga restart
Twenty-one days after the last competitive match of 2025, FC Bayern return to action and continue their Bundesliga title defence with the home clash against VfL Wolfsburg. The Munich men go into the second half of the season as league leaders, a position they naturally want to retain until the end of the campaign. “We’ll be playing for the trophies in March, April, May – and we want to take the next step in these important moments,” said head coach Vincent Kompany. “We’ve laid good foundation for the new year and for when the decisive moments come in the spring.”
18 January: Legends Cup
World champions, Champions League winners, outstanding footballers: after the huge success of the Beckenbauer Cup last year, FC Bayern is staging another big football event at the SAP Garden in 2026. Alongside the German record champions, teams from Real Madrid, Juventus, Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund will be taking part in the Legends Cup on 18 January, which promises great entertainment. "Reuniting with former teammates and companions is always something very special – it brings back many fond memories,” says Philipp Lahm, who will be coaching the FC Bayern Legends. “The tournament brings together many familiar faces from the world of football and offers a very special football experience. We want to inspire the fans with our team spirit and enthusiasm for the game."
18 January: AFCON final
On the same date, the first major football event of 2026 will already take place, with the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, Morocco. In Nicolas Jackson, Bayern have one player involved in the tournament who is very much in with a chance of reaching the final with Senegal.
11 June: Start of World Cup in USA, Canada & Mexico
It’s THE big event of 2026 – in every sense of the word. Forty-eight teams – more than ever before – will be competing in the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer. There’ll be a total of 104 matches, from the opening game between hosts Mexico and South Africa on 11 June in Mexico City to the final on 19 July in New Jersey. It goes without saying that Bayern will be represented by several players at the tournament, who’ll be hoping to continue a remarkable run. The Bavarians are the only club besides Inter Milan who have had at least one player in every World Cup final since 1982.
28 August: Start of 2026/27 Bundesliga season
Because of the World Cup, the new Bundesliga season starts a week later than it did last year. The opening fixture of the 2026/27 edition is scheduled for 28 August 2026, with Bundesliga 2 starting three weeks earlier on 7 August. The later beginning certainly won’t alter Bayern’s objective, though.
21 September: Bumper international break
Next season, the international breaks in September and October will be combined into one, meaning there’ll be no Bundesliga from 21 September until 8 October. True Bavarians will notice something about these dates, as it’s the Oktoberfest period! And from now on, Bayern may miss out on playing at home during the festival.
All key dates at a glance:
- 18/01/2026: Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, Morocco
- 18/01/2026: Legends Cup at SAP Garden
- 23/05/2026: Men’s DFB Cup final in Berlin
- 30/05/2026: Men’s Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary
- 11/06-19/07/2026: Men’s FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada & Mexico
- 22/08/2026: Franz Beckenbauer Supercup
- 28/08/2026: Opening match of 2026/27 Bundesliga season
- 08/09/2026: Start of 2026/27 Champions League season
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