The Bundesliga celebrates its 50th birthday in rude health this year when the new German league season starts on Friday with defending champion Borussia Dortmund hosting Werder Bremen.

The season opener at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park stadium will be a sellout in front of 80,645 spectators.

It was back on July 28, 1962, when the motion was passed by the German Football Federation (DFB) in Dortmund to create the Bundesliga, which 50 years on boasts financially stable clubs playing in oft sold-out stadiums.