Borussia Dortmund 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup & predictions

Dortmund finished the previous season second to Bayern, 16 points behind the champions. Niko Kovac’s first full season in charge did, however, bear some fruits.

BVB were the strongest team defensively last season, with just 34 goals conceded. They were the third-best attacking team in the Bundesliga with 70 goals scored, with only Stuttgart (71) and Bayern Munich (122) finding the net more often.

Ole Book has replaced Sebastian Kehl as sporting director, while several promising new signings have arrived, giving Dortmund plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the new season.

With Bayern looking to repeat their previous season, Dortmund will need to hope the reigning champions drop the ball. They’ll require a bit of luck on their quest to challenge the Rekordmeister, seeking the Meisterschale which has eluded them since 2012.

Their season kicks off in the Westfalenstadion on Saturday, August 29 against Hamburg.

Pre-season performances

Following the 2026 World Cup, most of the first-team players were absent from the decidedly short pre-season.

The team embarked on their yearly Asian tour, taking on Cerezo Osaka (lost 1-0) and FC Tokyo (won 1-0) before returning to Germany.

BVB travelled to North London in early August to face Premier League champions Arsenal for the yearly Emirates Cup at the Emirates stadium. Arsenal fielded a number of their first-team players including Martin Odegaard, Victor Gyokeres, and Gabriel. Dortmund narrowly defeated the Gunners 3-2. Among the goal scorers was youngster Samuel Inacio, alongside new signings Joane Gadou and Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas.

The following week they faced Roma in the Westfalenstadion, going 2-0 down within nine minutes. They drew 2-2 in the end with goals from Serhou Guirassy and Julian Ryerson to equalise.

Dortmund’s final pre-season game took place in their home stadium as they faced Bayern Munich for the Supercup. This was the first sight of the full team with their new signings. Goals from Nathaniel Brown and Michael Olise in the first half left Dortmund trailing going into the second half. They managed to drag one back in the 75th minute with a goal from Fabio Silva, created by Giannis Konstantelias and Daniel Svensson. A disastrous miss from Maxi Beier and a red card for Bensebaini ensured that the champions took home the Supercup.

Transfers

Dortmund’s transfer market moves this summer have really excited fans.

The departure of Karim Adeyemi to Barcelona for a deal worth up to €29 million, along with the expiration of both Julian Brandt and Niklas Sule’s contracts, left a huge gap in the squad. It also freed a significant amount of money from the BVB wage bill.

Early in the transfer window, 18-year-old Colombian Justin Lerma arrived to Dortmund from Independiente del Valle. The youngster signed for BVB in 2024, but was unable to move until he reached the age of 18.

Other arrivals early in the summer include Kaua Prates from Brazilian side Cruzeiro, and Joane Gadou from RB Salzburg.

The arrival of Takato Yamamoto on loan for Borussia Dortmund II is an interesting one. Dortmund reportedly have an option to buy the 18-year-old from Gamba Osaka for €1.5 million. He took part in Dortmund’s first friendly of the summer against Oberhausen, netting his first unofficial goal for the club. For the time being, it seems that he will remain with the reserves.

Dortmund’s number 1 transfer target this summer was, without a doubt, Köln’s Said El Mala. An offer exceeding €50 million was tabled by the Black and Yellows, but was rejected by Köln.

BVB moved quickly following the failed negotiation for El Mala, signing Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk.

They subsequently bought PAOK’s Giannis Konstantelias, sparking an occupation of the team’s offices and stadium by Greek ultras who were furious with the sale. The 23-year-old has excited many Dortmund fans, who hope the midfielder will prove useful in their quest to challenge Bayern once again.

Finally, in the same week as Konstantelias, Dortmund confirmed the signing of central midfielder Joey Veerman from Dutch side PSV.

Predicted starting lineup

3-4-2-1: Kobel – Bensebaini, Anton, Gadou – Svensson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Ryerson – Konstantelias, Karetsas – Guirassy

Nico Schlotterbeck’s absence as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained during the World Cup leaves Dortmund’s defence somewhat lacking as the season kicks off. He is expected to return in September.

Bensebaini was sent off for a foul on Saibari during the Supercup fixture, though the DFB have confirmed that the Algerian’s suspension will be served by missing the next two DFB Pokal matches. He was taken to hospital after the Supercup match against Bayern following a collision with teammate Waldemar Anton, yet it seems likely that he will start regardless.

BVB head coach Niko Kovac has been experimenting with switching Ryerson and Svensson between left and right wing back positions.

Konstantelias immediately made his presence felt in the Supercup, creating Dortmund’s only goal of the game, while Karetsas had already shown himself to be worthy of starting through his performances in pre-season.

While Fabio Silva scored Dortmund’s only goal against Bayern in the Supercup, it’s not clear whether he will remain at the club. The striker has discussed his unhappiness as a backup behind Serhou Guirassy, who was inconsistent last season. 

Predictions for the upcoming season

Dortmund have made excellent moves in the transfer window, signing some really talented young players.

Bayern are, as always, clear favourites. Although, if their new signings grow into the league quickly, one can definitely see Dortmund challenging Bayern more than last season.

Bayern were simply excellent in the 2025/26 season, and Dortmund will need to hope that the champions drop the ball if they want any real chance at lifting the Meisterschale.

It’s too early to predict whether they will mount a serious title challenge, but it is certainly an exciting time to be a Dortmund fan.

Given the squad Dortmund have assembled, reaching the DFB-Pokal final should be a realistic target.