Bundesliga 2018-19 fixtures: Bayern Munich open against Hoffenheim as Borussia Dortmund kick off RB Leipzig

Bayern Munich will begin their Bundesliga title defence under new boss Niko Kovac against Hoffenheim.

The fixtures for the 2018-19 season were released on Friday, with the reigning champions kicking off the campaign on August 24 when they welcome Julian Nagelsmann's team, who finished third last season, to the Allianz Arena.

The Bavarian giants have not failed to win their first league game of the season since 2011, when Borussia Dortmund went on to win the league.

Hoping to challenge Nico Kovac's team this term, Dortmund have a tough start to new boss Lucien Favre's reign when they host RB Leipzig, who are without a coach since Ralph Hasenhuttl's departure.

Last season's runners-up Schalke have an away trip against a Wolfsburg side that rescued a place in the top flight via the relegation playoffs.

The 2. Bundesliga champions, Fortuna Dusseldorf, will take on Augsburg at home in their first game, while runners-up Nurnberg go to Hertha Berlin.

The first of the Bundesliga season's headline fixture - Der Klassiker - between Bayern and Dortmund in early November at the Signal Iduna Park, before they meet again in Munich in April.

Bayern are once again the favourites to win the title and will be hoping they can end the season with a party in front of their home crowd with a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt, while Dortmund visit Borussia Monchengladbach.

Bundesliga 2018-19 opening fixtures