The 2011–12 season of Bayern Munich began on 27 June with their first training session. In the yearly Forbes' list of the most valuable football clubs, Bayern Munich were ranked the fifth-most valuable team in the world.^[1]

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Bayern Munich

2011–12 season
Jupp Heynckes (right) consoles Mario Gómez (left) after their defeat in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final at the Allianz Arena
Chairman	Uli Hoeneß
Manager	Jupp Heynckes
Stadium	Allianz Arena
Bundesliga	2nd
DFB-Pokal	Runners-up
Champions League	Runners-up
Top goalscorer	League: Mario Gómez (26) All: Mario Gómez (41)
Highest home attendance	69,000 vs. Bor. Mönchengladbach, 7 August 2011 69,000 vs. Hamburg, 20 August 2011
Lowest home attendance	64,000 vs. FC Ingolstadt, 26 October 2011
Home colours Away colours Third colours
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Nils Petersen of Energie Cottbus became the first official signing of Bayern's 2011–12 season. The next two signings were Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer followed shortly thereafter by former Schalke right-back Rafinha (after having spent one season at Genoa). On 27 June 2011, it was announced that Gamba Osaka's Japanese teenage prodigy Takashi Usami would be joining Bayern on a one-season loan (with an option to make the switch permanent). Usami became the first Japanese player ever to play for Bayern. On 14 July, Bayern confirmed the signing of the defender Jérôme Boateng from Manchester City, following drawn-out negotiations.

In light of the signing of Neuer, goalkeeper Thomas Kraft departed for newly promoted Hertha BSC.^[2] Andreas Ottl also joined Hertha.^[3] Hamit Altıntop joined Real Madrid,^[4] while Miroslav Klose opted to join Lazio^[5] after negotiations with Bayern over a new contract failed. All these players left on free transfers. Mehmet Ekici joined Werder Bremen for €5 million.^[6]

On 1 August, Bayern played their first competitive match of the season against Eintracht Braunschweig.^[7] The match was the competitive debut for Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng and Rafinha.^[7] The match saw the beginning of Jupp Heynckes' third stint in charge of the club.^[7] Bayern won the match with goals from Mario Gómez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Müller.^[7]

Bayern finished runners-up to Jürgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund side in both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. They also reached the final of the 2011–12 Champions League, where they would face Chelsea. The match was played at the Allianz Arena, which meant that Bayern were the first team to have home advantage since Roma in 1984. Neither team would score until Thomas Müller gave Bayern the lead in the 83rd minute. Five minutes later, Didier Drogba equalised for Chelsea, taking the match into extra time, during which Bayern were awarded a penalty, to be taken by Arjen Robben. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech saved his shot. The game then went into a penalty shoot-out, which Bayern would ultimately lose.