Harm Osmers will take charge of the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup clash between VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich on Saturday, with kick-off at 8.30pm CET. He will be assisted by linesmen Dominik Schaal and Christian Gittelmann, with Tom Bauer serving as the fourth official. VAR duties will be handled by Sascha Stegemann, supported by assistant video assistant Frederick Assmuth.
The traditional season-opening match pits the DFB Cup holders Stuttgart against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern and will feature the latest officiating technology. Viewers will be able to use RefCam for an eye-level perspective on the action, alongside semi-automatic offside detection and in-stadium refereeing announcements.
Looking ahead, the Bundesliga plans to roll out the system of referees explaining VAR decisions to fans in stadiums starting with the 2025/26 season, a feature that has already been introduced in Bundesliga 2.
Summary: The Beckenbauer Supercup will showcase Harm Osmers as referee, with a full VAR crew and cutting-edge technology designed to enhance transparency and fan engagement as German football embraces new officiating tools.
Additional notes:
– This match serves as a front-row test for how RefCam and semi-automatic offside technology will affect high-profile fixtures.
– The move to in-stadium VAR explanations aims to improve understanding of decisions for spectators, both in the stadium and at home.
Hopeful angle: The integration of live VAR explanations and clearer visual tech could make the game’s officiating more transparent and engaging for fans, setting a positive precedent for the upcoming season.