TSG Hoffenheim will begin their 2026/27 Bundesliga season with an away match at 1. FC Cologne on Saturday, 29 August 2026. The Wettfreunde platform reported the preview for this fixture. For manager Pellegrino Matarazzo's side, it's the first competitive match since finishing fifth in the previous campaign. The club secured a Europa League spot with 61 points from 34 games, recording 18 wins, seven draws, and nine losses. Their recent form from the final five matches of last season was LWDWW.
Hoffenheim enters the new season with a positive goal difference. Across the 2025 season, the team scored 65 goals and conceded 52, resulting in a +13 differential. This made them the third-best attack in the league. However, the gap to champions Bayern Munich was 28 points, clearly setting the benchmark for the coming campaign. Preparations for the season opener proceeded according to plan. All key players are fit and available.
1. FC Cologne ended last season in 14th place, fighting against relegation until the final matchday. For Hoffenheim, the away trip to the RheinEnergieSTADION remains a challenging task, as Cologne are traditionally strong at home. TSG aims to continue the positive trend from last season and collect points from the start. A win on opening day would be an important signal for their ambitions in the league and European competition. The full schedule for the first half of the season can be found on our fixtures page.
The first matchday sets the tone for the entire autumn season. For Hoffenheim, it's particularly important to confirm the strong defensive work and effective attacking football from the previous year. The squad has seen few changes and relies on continuity. A successful start would provide additional confidence before the demanding phase of Bundesliga and European football begins. The current standings will be populated with the first results from Saturday.
TSG Hoffenheim's clear objective is to repeat or even improve upon their international qualification. The opener in Cologne is the first test. The team has the experience from last season and wants to translate it into results immediately. The coming weeks will show if TSG can maintain their connection to the league's top teams.
