The Bundesliga has fixed the headline dates for its December and January showcase games. FC Schalke 04 host Borussia Dortmund on 6 December at 15.30, while Bayern München meet Werder Bremen on 18 December at 20.30, the last Friday night match before the winter break.
The Revierderby and the Friday night opener
Schalke against Dortmund comes on matchday 12, and the fixture lands with the clubs in very different places. Schalke are 17th with 6 points from 8 matches, while Dortmund are second with 18 points from 8 matches. Dortmund have also gone unbeaten in their last five league games, with a form line of DWDDW.
That gap is why the derby doubles as a major TV slot as well as a local rivalry. The schedule release gives the Bundesliga a tidy run of glamour fixtures in midwinter, with FSV Mainz 05 next in line for Dortmund on 8 January 2027.
January on free-to-air television
The league has also set Borussia Dortmund against Mainz for 8 January 2027, with the match due to be shown on Sat.1 alongside Sky. Bayern’s meeting with Werder Bremen opens matchday 14 and also carries free-to-air coverage through Sat.1 as well as Sky.
Bayern sit top with 18 points from 8 matches, so the 18 December meeting arrives as another prime broadcast choice. Werder are fifth, which gives the fixture some competitive edge as well as the obvious TV appeal.
The schedule now has its main festive dates in place, with the Revierderby first and Dortmund’s New Year return to action already locked in for 8 January 2027.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
