Bayern Munich have started the 2026/27 season with a statement, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup at Signal Iduna Park on August 22 to claim their 13th title in the competition. Goals from summer signing Nathaniel Brown and Michael Olise gave Vincent Kompany's side a commanding first-half lead, and although Dortmund pulled one back through Fabio Silva, the result was never seriously threatened. It was a fifth consecutive win in all competitions heading into the new campaign, and Kompany was named Bundesliga coach of the year in the same week, a recognition of the dominant title triumph last season.

The victory came with caveats worth watching. Jamal Musiala was absent after suffering episodes linked to a neurological dysfunction during pre-season, and both he and Lennart Karl face late fitness tests before Friday's Bundesliga opener at home to Stuttgart. Captain Joshua Kimmich was candid after the Supercup, saying the performance was far from the standard the club expects despite the scoreline. Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, hinted strongly that this will be his final season, adding a longer-term question about the goalkeeping position to the short-term squad concerns.

Off the pitch, the squad is being trimmed. Bryan Zaragoza is set to join Espanyol Barcelona on a deal that includes a mandatory purchase clause of eight million euros, crystallising a significant loss on the original investment. Joao Palhinha is closing in on a move to Benfica, while Sacha Boey remains without a buyer despite being excluded from the Supercup squad as a clear signal from sporting director Max Eberl. The Bundesliga defence begins on August 28 against Stuttgart, a side Bayern beat 3-0 in the DFB-Pokal final in May.