Few fixtures in German football carry the same weight as Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund. Known around the world as Der Klassiker, this famous Bundesliga rivalry has produced title battles, dramatic comebacks, spectacular goals and the occasional result that makes defenders wish football had never been invented. Although Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are not traditional local rivals, their meetings have developed into one of the biggest fixtures in European football.

The history of Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund stretches back to the early years of the Bundesliga. The first Bundesliga meeting between the clubs took place on 16 October 1965, when Dortmund travelled to Munich and produced a memorable 2-0 victory. Reinhold Wosab scored both goals, giving Dortmund the first major bragging rights in what would eventually become one of Germany’s most watched football matches.

For many years, however, the fixture was not quite the global spectacle it is today. Bayern were establishing themselves as one of Germany’s dominant clubs, while Dortmund experienced periods of success mixed with less glamorous spells. The rivalry really began to explode during the 1990s and, particularly, the early 2010s, when Dortmund emerged as Bayern’s biggest challenger for domestic supremacy.

The defining chapter in the history of Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund came under Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp. His energetic, high-pressing side won consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, with Dortmund defeating Bayern in several crucial meetings. During the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons, Dortmund won five consecutive competitive matches against Bayern, an extraordinary run considering the strength of their opponents.

The rivalry reached another level in the 2012 DFB-Pokal final. Dortmund defeated Bayern 5-2, with Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick as Dortmund completed their first domestic double. It was a statement victory and one of the most memorable Bayern vs Dortmund matches of the modern era.

Then came 2013, when the two clubs met in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley. For the first time, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund contested a Champions League final against each other, putting German club football firmly in the international spotlight. Bayern eventually won 2-1 thanks to Arjen Robben’s late goal, securing their fifth European Cup and adding another dramatic chapter to the rivalry.

The 2013 Champions League final also highlighted how quickly fortunes can change. Dortmund had challenged Bayern domestically under Klopp, but Bayern soon re-established their dominance. The Bavarians went on to enjoy a remarkable run of Bundesliga success, while Dortmund continued to compete at the top of German football and regularly provided Bayern with one of their toughest tests.

Over the years, Der Klassiker has also featured some of the greatest players in Bundesliga history. Robert Lewandowski is particularly important to the fixture, having scored against Bayern for Dortmund before later joining the Munich club and continuing to torment his former employers. He holds the record for the most Bundesliga goals in Der Klassiker, with 24 in total: 23 for Bayern and one for Dortmund. Thomas Müller, meanwhile, holds the record for Bundesliga appearances for one club in the fixture, with 29 for Bayern.

The numbers demonstrate Bayern’s overall advantage. As of 2026, the clubs had played 113 Bundesliga meetings, with Bayern winning 55, Dortmund winning 26 and 32 ending in draws. Bayern have also scored 228 goals compared with Dortmund’s 139 in those league encounters. Despite that advantage, Dortmund have produced plenty of memorable victories, proving that statistics do not always get the final say when Der Klassiker kicks off.

One of the wildest results came in November 1971, when Bayern demolished Dortmund 11-1 in the Bundesliga. It remains the highest-scoring match in the history of Der Klassiker, with Gerd Müller scoring four times. Dortmund have had their revenge on the scoreboard too, including a famous 6-3 victory in 1967, when Lothar Emmerich scored a hat-trick. More recently, Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as Bayern won 4-0 in Dortmund in November 2023.

What makes Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund so fascinating is that it is about more than simple league positions. Bayern represent the established powerhouse of German football, while Dortmund have frequently been the ambitious challenger looking to knock them off their throne. The fixture has featured title races, cup finals and European glory, creating a history that goes far beyond a standard Bundesliga match.

Today, Der Klassiker remains one of the biggest fixtures on the Bundesliga calendar. More than six million spectators have attended previous Bundesliga meetings between Bayern and Dortmund, while matches between the clubs have regularly attracted worldwide attention. Whether Bayern are protecting their dominance or Dortmund are attempting to start another challenge for German football’s crown, this is one fixture where form, reputation and history can all go out of the window.

Ultimately, the history of Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund is a story of dominance, resistance and unforgettable football. Bayern may have the stronger overall record, but Dortmund have repeatedly shown they can cause serious problems. That balance is exactly what keeps Der Klassiker so entertaining: when these two giants meet, nobody can afford to look away — and definitely not if the score starts heading towards 11-1 territory.