Der Klassiker

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Lore & Background

Within the landscape of German football, the most significant rivalry is known as Der Klassiker. This fixture pits Bayern Munich against their national rivals, Borussia Dortmund. While Bayern has traditional local rivalries with 1860 Munich and 1. FC Nürnberg, the clash with Dortmund stands apart as the defining modern contest in the Bundesliga. Bayern are the most successful club in German football history, having won a record 35 national titles, including eleven consecutive championships from 2013 to 2023. This dominance often sets the stage for Der Klassiker as a battle between the established powerhouse and its primary challenger. The rivalry is not merely local but represents the pinnacle of competition in the top tier of the German football league system.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Bayern Munich's success provides the backdrop for their encounters with Borussia Dortmund. Bayern was founded in 1900 by eleven players led by Franz John, and while they won their first national title in 1932, it was not until the mid-1960s that the club found its footing to dominate. The pinnacle of this rise occurred in the 1970s under captain Franz Beckenbauer, where the team secured three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976. Today, Bayern has reached the Champions League final 11 times and won six titles, a German record. When these two giants meet in Der Klassiker, they are drawing upon decades of accumulated prestige, including Bayern's record-breaking 35 national titles and their status as one of five clubs to have kept the European Cup trophy.

Reader's Guide

For observers of Der Klassiker, understanding the scale of Bayern Munich is essential. The club plays its home games at the Allianz Arena since the 2005–06 season, having previously spent 33 years at the Olympiastadion. With over 432,500 official members as of November 2025, it stands as the largest sports club in the world by membership. The team colors are red and white, reflecting the Bavarian flag on their crest. Financially, Bayern is a juggernaut, earning a record-breaking €978.3 million in the 2024–25 season.

Did You Know?

• The term 'Der Klassiker' specifically refers to the rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, not Rangers or Celtic.
• Bayern Munich won a record 35 national titles, including eleven consecutive championships from 2013 to 2023.
• In November 2025, Bayern Munich had more than 432,500 official club members, making it the largest sports club in the world by membership.
• Bayern became only the second European club to achieve a 'sextuple' (winning all six major trophies across two seasons) following their 2020 FIFA Club World Cup victory.
• The club has traditional local rivalries with 1860 Munich and 1. FC Nürnberg, while its rivalry with Borussia Dortmund is known as Der Klassiker.