But that doesn’t mean the 2025-26 season will be predictable. Dortmund are more stable under Niko Kovac, Leverkusen have gone through a full reset under Erik ten Hag, Frankfurt keep building smartly, Stuttgart have silverware and swagger again, and two old giants, HSV and St. Pauli, are back in the top flight.
So where does that leave us going into 2025-26? Let’s rank them.
🏆Title Contenders ⚔️:
1. Bayern Munich 🔴⚪
Let’s be honest: Bayern are still Bayern. They scored 99 goals last season, just two shy of their all-time record, and Kane is chasing a third straight Golden boot. The arrivals of Luis Díaz and Jonathan Tah make them stronger, even with Musiala sidelined. The big question: do they have enough depth if Kane misses time?
2. Borussia Dortmund 🟡⚫
Kovac has settled things in Dortmund. This isn’t a team of dazzling kids anymore, but a more grown-up BVB. They nearly stumbled out of the top four last season, but now with stability, a strong core, and the rise of Jobe Bellingham, they look like Bayern’s closest challengers.
3. RB Leipzig 🔴⚪
Leipzig are in transition again, but they’ve added flair with Johan Bakayoko and Brazilian forward Rômulo. Ole Werner arrives as a steady hand after his solid spell at Bremen, and Xavi Simons is still the jewel of this side. If he sticks around, Leipzig can push the top three.
🥈European Contenders 🌍:
4. Eintracht Frankfurt ⚪🔴
Frankfurt keep doing what they do: smart buys, sharp coaching, and constant progress. Losing Hugo Ekitike hurts, but Jonathan Burkardt is a clever replacement. Dino Toppmöller has them looking like a proper Champions League club.
5. VfB Stuttgart ⚪🟡
Fresh off a DFB-Pokal win, Stuttgart are back in Europe for the first time in years. Sebastian Hoeneß has built a young, ambitious side and kept hold of star man Nick Woltemade. Expect them to rattle the big names.
6. Bayer Leverkusen ⚫🔴
The Alonso era is over. The Wirtz era is over. Even the Frimpong/Xhaka/Hradecky spine is gone. Into the chaos comes Erik ten Hag, trying to rebuild from scratch. The squad still has talent, but this will take time.
7. Hoffenheim ⚪🔵
Hoffenheim flirted with disaster last year, but Christian Ilzer is bold, ambitious, and — let’s say unconventional. They’ve added talent and want to play aggressive, attacking football.
8. Wolfsburg 🟢⚪️
Wolfsburg are a dark horse. New coach Paul Simonis has ambition, and signings like Vini Souza and Jesper Lindstrøm add quality.
🥉Safe Mid-table ⚖️
9. Freiburg ⚪⚫
Schuster’s first year was solid, but balancing Europe with the Bundesliga will be harder. Freiburg are always awkward to play, and they’ll be in the mix for a top-half finish.
10. Mainz 🔴⚪
Mainz keep punching above their weight. Hendriksen’s side don’t play the prettiest football, but it works. Europe could be a stretch, but survival isn’t in doubt.
11. Koln 🔴⚪
Back in the Bundesliga and ready to fight. Lukas Kwasniok is inexperienced at this level, but Köln invested well after promotion.
12. Werder Bremen ⚪🟢
Ole Werner left, but Horst Steffen steps in after working miracles at Elversberg. Bremen lost Marvin Ducksch but replaced well. They should be fine.
13. Gladbach ⚫⚪
Perennial underachievers. They’ll play some great football, they’ll collapse a week later. Nothing new here.
14. Augsburg 🔴⚪
The most predictable unpredictable team. Everyone tips them for relegation, and they survive. Every. Single. Year.
15. Heidenheim 🔵🔴
They survived by the skin of their teeth, but Frank Schmidt is basically a cult hero. Expect another gritty escape.
❌The Relegation Scrap ⚠️:
16. Hamburg SV 🔵⚪ The “Dino” is back, but they don’t look ready. Polzin is inexperienced, the squad is shaky, and survival will be a fight.
17. Union Berlin 🔴⚪ The fairytale may finally be over. They’re weaker up front, and Baumgart’s energy alone might not save them.
18. St. Pauli 🔴⚪ It’s great to have them back, but the squad looks underpowered. They need a miracle, or a striker.
The Bundesliga is never short on drama, and this season is packed with storylines: Bayern chasing yet another record, Dortmund desperate to keep pace, Ten Hag rebuilding Leverkusen, and the Hamburg derby back on the calendar. The Meisterschale is still Bayern’s to lose, but everywhere else, the fight will be fierce.
