The DFL have confirmed that the Bundesliga will return on May 16.After almost two months without major European football due to the coronavirus pandemic, fans will be able to enjoy Germany's top tier in just over a week's time.Plus, it couldn't be a more perfect start to proceedings with Borussia Dortmund and Schalke kicking things off in the Revierderby at 15:30.Champions Bayern Munich will also take to the pitch on the opening weekend, travelling to Union Berlin, while fellow title challengers RB Leipzig host Freiburg.Alex Chaffer, the head of content for the Bundesliga's English site, confirmed the schedule via his Twitter account on Thursday afternoon as follows:

Schedule for return

Saturday (15:30)

Dortmund-Schalke
Leipzig-Freiburg
Hoffenheim-Hertha
Fortuna-Paderborn
Augsburg-Wolfsburg

(18:30)

Frankfurt-Gladbach

Sunday

Cologne-Mainz
Union-Bayern

Monday

Bremen-Leverkusen

UK broadcasters BT sport also confirmed the return of Germany's top flight on their Twitter page in the minutes following.

The plan going forward

The action in Germany will only proceed with biological controls that are ordinarily reserved for medical facilities and stadium capacities will still be enforced despite the absence of fans.

Officials will be hoping for no more hiccups after Salomon Kalou's controversial video for Hertha Berlin and the alarming news that FC Cologne registered three positive tests.

But much to the excitement of fans, the Bundesliga taking the step to return may encourage other European leagues to follow, especially as Spain and Italy seem to pass the peak of their outbreaks.

FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-SCHALKE-DORTMUND

It's reported that the Premier League are eyeing a comeback in early June under 'Project Restart', although their plans will largely be informed by Boris Johnson's announcement on Sunday.