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Bayern Munich face Bayer Leverkusen in home Bundesliga opener

Champions Bayern Munich will face Bayer Leverkusen at home on Aug. 18 as they kick off their Bundesliga title defence next season.

The Bundesliga announced the fixture list for the new season on Thursday, which gives new Leverkusen coach Heiko Herrlich the toughest possible start.

DFB Pokal winners Borussia Dortmund travel to Wolfsburg on the opening day, while last season's league runners-up RB Leipzig face Schalke at the Veltins Arena.

A few kilometres to the west, Borussia Monchengladbach and Cologne lock horns in the first derby of the campaign.

Bayern face rivals Dortmund in an away November Klassiker following the fourth round of matches in the Champions League group stages.

They will have to play four away games, at Berlin, Hamburg, Dortmund and Frankfurt, following their appearances in the Champions League group stages.

Dortmund have four home games after theirs, also including the Revierderby against Schalke.

Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern end their season at home to Stuttgart on May 12, while Dortmund travel to Hoffenheim.