New 2024/25 Bundesliga Season Kicks Off in October

 The Opening Games Already This Weekend

Although the official start of the season is scheduled for early October, the first matches have already taken place this weekend.

Will Baden Baden Win Again?

For many years, OSG Baden-Baden was the undisputed favorite in the Bundesliga, except for the 2015/16 season when Solingen claimed the title.

However, the situation has changed in recent years. Last year, SC Viernheim was the leading contender for victory, but this season, newcomer Düsseldorfer SK is among the favorites, aiming for the title in the first league. Additionally, "half of the Düsseldorf team" recently won gold at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

The key question of the season will be whether Düsseldorf can regularly field its top players. Seven out of their top nine players are from Asia, which could pose logistical challenges.

Chess in the North and New Ambitions

Alongside traditional teams like OSG Baden-Baden, Viernheim, and Düsseldorf, northern Germany is also making a strong presence on the chess scene, backed by the well-financed Jan Henrik Buettner. Inspired by Magnus Carlsen, Buettner has become passionate about Chess 960, now known as Freestyle Chess, and together they have ambitious plans. They have already found an investor to help realize their vision.

However, they haven’t forgotten traditional chess. FC St. Pauli from Hamburg can look forward to welcoming top players, including Magnus Carlsen, who is bringing several friends and other Scandinavian "Vikings" with him. Among them are David Howell, Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, Jonas Bjerre, Aryan Tari, Peter Heine Nielsen, and Marc'Andria Maurizzi. This team could shake up the Bundesliga standings, and if the stars play regularly, St. Pauli will undoubtedly rank among the top teams. Magnus Carlsen will certainly be a huge draw for fans attending his matches at St. Pauli’s stadium.

Hamburger SK: The Return of a Legend and Young Hopefuls

Hamburger SK is also receiving support from Jan Henrik Buettner. This second-oldest sports club in Hamburg boasts a rich historical tradition and will be strengthened this year not only by Frederik and Rasmus Svane but also by the return of Niclas Huschenbeth. Joining them is one of Germany’s biggest talents, Leonardo Costa, making Hamburg a team worth watching.

Newcomers to the Competition

In addition to the strong teams of St. Pauli and Düsseldorf, two less-favored teams have been promoted to the Bundesliga. SV Bad Mergentheim features three players from Lithuania on its top boards, representing half of the Lithuanian national team that recently defeated Germany at the Chess Olympiad.

SV Deggendorf has gained significant recognition by organizing the final round of the Bundesliga. While this team may not be a title contender, its organizational skills make it a significant player in the season. It looks like we have a lot to look forward to!

Official Bundesliga Website