October has arrived, and with it comes a pivotal stretch of fixtures that could shape Borussia Dortmund’s season. The Black & Yellows are set for a marathon of seven matches across three competitions, including four Bundesliga tests, two Champions League battles, and a crucial DFB-Pokal tie.
It all begins under the floodlights of the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, where BVB host Athletic Club on Wednesday (21:00 CEST) in their first Champions League home game of the season. After the dramatic 4-4 opener away at Juventus, Niko Kovač’s side will be determined to tighten things up and earn their first European win of the campaign. The clash is historic—it marks the very first competitive meeting between the two sides. Athletic arrive wounded after a 2-0 home loss to Arsenal, but coach Ernesto Valverde has warned his men that facing Dortmund in this cauldron will be “one of the toughest tasks in Europe.”
Barely three days later, Dortmund face a high-voltage Bundesliga showdown against RB Leipzig (Saturday, 15:30 CEST). With Leipzig pushing near the top of the table, this clash could be decisive in shaping the early title race. Maximilian Beier, who netted in their last meeting at the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, will be one to watch as the Black & Yellows aim to strengthen their grip on second place.
After the international break, the spotlight intensifies further. On 18 October (18:30 CEST), BVB march into the Allianz Arena to face league leaders Bayern Munich, who remain flawless in the Bundesliga. The Klassiker will once again test Dortmund’s mettle against the reigning champions in what promises to be one of the highlights of the season.
The packed schedule continues with a Champions League trip to FC Copenhagen (21 October), where Dortmund will be reunited with former striker Youssoufa Moukoko, now leading the Danish champions’ line. Days later, they return home for a Bundesliga clash against FC Köln (25 October) before a heavyweight DFB-Pokal second-round duel with Eintracht Frankfurt on the 28th. The month closes with another tricky away trip to Augsburg (31 October), where Julian Brandt—who has scored more goals against Augsburg than any other club—will look to extend his tally.
For Borussia Dortmund, October is more than just another month—it’s a season-defining gauntlet. With destiny calling on three fronts, the Black & Yellows must balance resilience, rotation, and ruthlessness if they are to emerge stronger at the end of this relentless run.
