Champions Dortmund open against Hamburg

Champions Borussia Dortmund will open their Bundesliga title defense at home against Hamburg on August 5, the German Football League (DFL) announced on Tuesday.

"It's an exciting opening fixture against Hamburg, a club that failed to live up to expectations last season but against whom we have some great battles," said Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.

Jurgen Klopp's side will first meet Schalke 04 in the German SuperCup on July 4 and 23, and will then face some stiff tests against Bayer Leverkuson in the fourth round of the Bundesligan and Europa League contenders Hanover two rounds later.

Dortmund's clash with the Bundesliga's most titled club Bayern Munich will take place on round 13 with the return leg in mid-April.

Bayern Munich, who finished third last season, will open their campaign at home against Moenchengladbach, who narrowly escaped the drop last term.

Europa League contenders Mainz 05 will host second-placed Bayer Leverkusen in their opener for the season which will end on May 5, 2012.

Promoted Hertha Berlin and Augsburg, making their Bundesliga debut, feature in the top flight next season while Frankfurt and St Pauli have dropped to the second division.


Fixtures:

Borussia Dortmund v Hamburg SV

SV Werder Bremen v Kaiserslautern

Hanover 96 v 1899 Hoffenheim

FSV Mainz 05 v Bayer Leverkusen

VfB Stuttgart v FC Schalke 04

Cologne v VfL Wolfsburg

FC Augsburg v SC Freiburg

Hertha Berlin v Nuremberg

Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach