Opening Thunder in the 2025/26 2. Bundesliga: Schalke 04 vs Hertha BSC Kicks Off the Season
Season kick-off in Bundesliga characterized by the usual initial incongruities
Football enthusiasts of the 2. Bundesliga have a reason to cheer as the new season kicks off. The curtain raiser for the 2025/26 season will see FC Schalke 04 take on the challenge of Hertha BSC, both under their new coaches, Miron Muslic and Christian Wechselberger respectively, in a clash at Schalke's home ground, Veltins Arena.
Mark your calendars for August 1, 2025, as the highly-anticipated game commences at 8:30 pm CEST.
These football giants, staggered by relegations in the past, are eager to reclaim their former glory. Schalke struggled in the previous season with a 14th place finish and just three points above the relegation play-off spot. Meanwhile, Hertha finished three places and six points ahead of Schalke, stripping the latter of its bragging rights. However, Schalke has the edge with their most recent victory in March 2025.
A fierce rivalry echoes through the halls of history between these two proud clubs, with Schalke claiming 46 wins against Hertha's 37. The upcoming encounter will mark the 100th game between the pair in the top two divisions and cup competitions.
Just a fortnight beforehand, the Bundesliga champions FC Bayern will open the 63rd season with a home game against RB Leipzig on August 22, 2025, at 8:30 pm CEST.
The DFL will unveil the complete fixture schedules for both the 1. and 2. Bundesliga on July 14, 2025, at 2 pm CEST.
Ahead of the official announcement, football fans had an exciting opportunity to guess the opener through the official Bundesliga app's "What's the Match?" puzzle. The app offered fans new clues every 30 minutes from 2 pm to 4 pm CEST.
The first renewal of another Bundesliga classic, Bayern's match against formerly relegated Hamburg SV, is set for either September 12, 13, or 14, 2025, following a seven-year hiatus.
- Football
- 2. Bundesliga
- FC Schalke 04
- Hertha BSC
(The detailed schedule for the season beyond the opener will be released by the league authorities)
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sport.de
(Incorporating insights from enrichment data)
Schalke 04 has had a tough outing in the 2024/25 season, finishing just three points above the relegation play-off spot. On the other hand, Hertha BSC has shown a relatively stronger performance, ending three places and six points ahead of Schalke. While Hertha has had the upper hand in recent encounters between the two, Schalke managed to clinch the most recent meeting in March 2025.
(The full 2. Bundesliga fixture list comprises 34 matchdays)
- Sports enthusiasts, particularly football fans, are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the 2025/26 2. Bundesliga season, with Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC set to battle it out in the opening match.
- Despite struggling in the previous season, both FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC are eager to reclaim their former glory in the 2. Bundesliga, a league known for its competitive nature and fierce rivalries.
