German champions Bayer Leverkusen will begin the defence of their Bundesliga title and continue their unbeaten run in the domestic league by visiting local rivals Borussia Monchengladbach on August 23, the league confirmed on Thursday as the fixture list was announced.
As is customary in Germany, the champions play their first game of the new league season on Friday evening.
Gladbach were the only Bundesliga side to prevent Leverkusen from scoring last season, drawing 0-0 with Xabi Alonso's side in their last meeting in January.
Leverkusen became the first team to win the Bundesliga title without losing a match.
The fixtures released by the league on Thursday also include Bayern Munich kicking off its league season at Wolfsburg as it looks to regain the Bundesliga title, and Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund playing Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening weekend.
Those games are scheduled for August 24 or 25, with exact dates and times to be confirmed.
Leverkusen will face Bayern, Germany's most successful club in history, on Matchday 5 of the season from 27 to 29 September at the Allianz Arena, and will face them at home from 14 to 16 February.
Dortmund will face Bayern in The classic the last weekend of November at home, and the return match in Munich between 11 and 13 April.
The first round of the German Cup begins on 16 August, followed by the Super Cup between Leverkusen and Stuttgart the following day. Leverkusen won the German Cup last year as part of their unfailing season in Germany.
The only game they lost all season was the Europa League final at the hands of Serie A side Atalanta.
Associated Press information contributed to this report.
