Here’s what to expect at the BVB season opener | OneFootball

1. Experience both the men’s and women’s teams in one day

Saturday’s friendly against AS Roma isn’t the only match scheduled at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. The first sporting highlight of the day kicks off at 1 p.m., when the BVB Women face the Giallorossi in a friendly at Rote Erde Stadium. The AS Roma women’s team arrives in Dortmund as the reigning Italian champions. Tickets are available in the online shop, and there will also be a box office open on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. for the women’s match.

For both teams, the matches against AS Roma will serve as important tests of their competitive mettle. Things will get serious on the field in the week leading up to the women’s league opener against Arminia Bielefeld (20 August, 7:00 p.m. at Rote Erde Stadium; tickets available in the online shop) and the men’s match in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against FC Bayern Munich (22 August, 8:30 p.m. at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK; the secondary ticket market is open).

Particularly exciting: Both the men’s and women’s teams will showcase their new signings at their new home venues for the first time. While the men’s team—including Konstantinos Karetsas, Joane Gadou, and Justin Lerma—will make their debuts at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, the women’s team, featuring Alexandra Popp, Manuela Zinsberger, and others, will take the field at Stadion Rote Erde for the first time. All BVB players will be introduced at the men’s and women’s squad presentation at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK at 4 p.m.

2. Borussians put to the test

Before Borussia Dortmund takes on Bayern Munich for the Super Cup next week, head coach Niko Kovac’s team will have another opportunity to assess and improve their form against Roma. Roma finished the last Serie A season in third place and are returning to the UEFA Champions League after an eight-year absence. The match at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK will thus serve as a litmus test of the team’s current form. Following their convincing friendly win against Arsenal last Sunday, another top-tier international opponent awaits.

Although BVB looked fresher and in better form during their 3-2 win in London, the squad was still missing its last two World Cup participants, Gregor Kobel and Julian Ryerson. It remains to be seen whether Kovac will give the two latecomers some playing time. Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Mussa Kaba—who are currently injured—will also be on hand for the squad presentation.

3. Home-game atmosphere in front of the Yellow Wall

BVB has played all of its preseason friendlies on the road so far. No professional match has been held at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK since 8 May. Now the long wait is over! The season opener will finally bring BVB fans back together at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK after the summer break, and the team returns to where it feels most at home: in front of the Yellow Wall. It marks the start of three home games through the end of the month; following the Super Cup against Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga opener against Hamburger SV is scheduled for August 29.

4. Reunion with Donyell Malen

On Saturday, a familiar face returns to Dortmund: Donyell Malen will take the field at his former home wearing the AS Roma jersey. The Dutchman played for BVB from 2021 to 2025, making a total of 132 competitive appearances (39 goals) for the Borussians during that time.

By the way: Donyell Malen is only the fifth soccer player ever to have played for both Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma during his active career. Before him, Jürgen Schütz, Thomas Häßler, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and most recently Mats Hummels also wore the Italian club’s jersey.

Three players on the current BVB roster also provide additional ties to Italy: Samuele Inacio, Luca Reggiani, and Filippo Mane are all from Italy and will now face a club from their home country in Borussia Dortmund.

5. A Day of Black and Yellow celebrations from morning to night

The season opener is much more than just soccer. All day long, an extensive program awaits the BVB family around SIGNAL IDUNA PARK and Strobelallee. From the first hands-on activities in the morning to an autograph session with the BVB Women, a performance by Blumengarten, and an exciting halftime event featuring Mats Hummels, there’s plenty of variety on offer.

15 August is the perfect summer outing for the whole family. It’s worth arriving early, as there’s plenty to experience around both matches.