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DFB Pokal

Germany · Football

Season 2025

DFB Pokal — Today's Matches

Live scores, upcoming kick-offs, and finished results for today. Data refreshes automatically so you never miss a moment.

DFB Pokal — Playoffs

2nd Round

BMBayern München4
1K1. FC Köln1
4–1
RLRB Leipzig4
ECEnergie Cottbus1
4–1
BMBorussia Mönchengladbach3
KSKarlsruher SC1
3–1
HSHamburger SV1
1H1. FC Heidenheim0
1–0
1M1. FC Magdeburg3
IIllertissen0
3–0
F0FSV Mainz 050
VSVfB Stuttgart2
0–2
HBHertha BSC3
SESV Elversberg0
3–0
SFSpVgg Greuther Fürth0
1K1. FC Kaiserslautern1
0–1
FDFortuna Düsseldorf1
SFSC Freiburg3
1–3
FAFC Augsburg0
VBVfL Bochum1
0–1
F0FC Schalke 040
S9SV Darmstadt 984
0–4
VWVfL Wolfsburg0
HKHolstein Kiel1
0–1

1st Round

SRSSV Jahn Regensburg1
1K1. FC Köln2
1–2
S1SSV Ulm 18460
SESV Elversberg1
0–1
BLBayer Leverkusen4
SGSG Sonnenhof Grossaspach0
4–0
BDBorussia Dortmund1
RERot-Weiß Essen0
1–0
EFEintracht Frankfurt5
F0FV Engers 070
5–0
UBUnion Berlin5
FGFC Gutersloh0
5–0
BMBorussia Mönchengladbach3
ADAtlas Delmenhorst2
3–2
1M1. FC Magdeburg3
FSFC Saarbrücken1
3–1
1H1. FC Heidenheim5
BSBahlinger SC0
5–0
H9Hannover 960
ECEnergie Cottbus1
0–1
RLRB Leipzig4
SSSV Sandhausen2
4–2
SFSC Freiburg2
SLSportfreunde Lotte0
2–0
FAFC Augsburg2
HFHallescher FC0
2–0
1K1. FC Kaiserslautern7
RERSV Eintracht0
7–0
1H1899 Hoffenheim4
HRHansa Rostock0
4–0
KSKarlsruher SC5
ZMZFC Meuselwitz0
5–0
F0FSV Mainz 051
DDDynamo Dresden0
1–0
S0SC Paderborn 073
FKFC Viktoria Köln1
3–1
BMBayern München3
SWSV Wehen2
3–2
FDFortuna Düsseldorf4
F0FC Schweinfurt 052
4–2
S9SV Darmstadt 982
VLVfB Lübeck1
2–1
SFSpVgg Greuther Fürth2
BLBW Lohne0
2–0
HKHolstein Kiel2
FHFC 08 Homburg0
2–0
WBWerder Bremen0
ABArminia Bielefeld1
0–1
VWVfL Wolfsburg9
HHemelingen0
9–0

Round of 16

BMBorussia Mönchengladbach1
FPFC St. Pauli2
1–2
SFSC Freiburg2
S9SV Darmstadt 980
2–0
BDBorussia Dortmund0
BLBayer Leverkusen1
0–1
RLRB Leipzig3
1M1. FC Magdeburg1
3–1
BMBayern München3
UBUnion Berlin2
3–2
VSVfB Stuttgart2
VBVfL Bochum0
2–0
HBHertha BSC6
1K1. FC Kaiserslautern1
6–1

Quarter-finals

VSVfB Stuttgart3
HKHolstein Kiel0
3–0
BLBayer Leverkusen3
FPFC St. Pauli0
3–0
BMBayern München2
RLRB Leipzig0
2–0

DFB Pokal — Results

The latest 25 completed matches in the DFB Pokal. The highest-scoring result was Hertha BSC 6–1 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Review recent scorelines to spot form trends, home advantage patterns, and upset results that can inform your next bet.

HomeScoreAway
Semi-finals
2 – 1
VfB StuttgartVS
2 – 1
SFSC Freiburg
2026-04-23AET
0 – 2
Bayer LeverkusenBL
0 – 2
BMBayern München
2026-04-22FT
Quarter-finals
2 – 0
Bayern MünchenBM
2 – 0
RLRB Leipzig
2026-02-11FT
0 – 0
Hertha BSCHB
0 – 0
SFSC Freiburg
2026-02-10PEN
0 – 3
Holstein KielHK
0 – 3
VSVfB Stuttgart
2026-02-04FT
3 – 0
Bayer LeverkusenBL
3 – 0
FPFC St. Pauli
2026-02-03FT
Round of 16
2 – 3
Union BerlinUB
2 – 3
BMBayern München
2025-12-03FT
0 – 0
Hamburger SVHS
0 – 0
HKHolstein Kiel
2025-12-03PEN
0 – 2
VfL BochumVB
0 – 2
VSVfB Stuttgart
2025-12-03FT
2 – 0
SC FreiburgSF
2 – 0
S9SV Darmstadt 98
2025-12-03FT
3 – 1
RB LeipzigRL
3 – 1
1M1. FC Magdeburg
2025-12-02FT
0 – 1
Borussia DortmundBD
0 – 1
BLBayer Leverkusen
2025-12-02FT
1 – 2
Borussia MönchengladbachBM
1 – 2
FPFC St. Pauli
2025-12-02FT
6 – 1
Hertha BSCHB
6 – 1
1K1. FC Kaiserslautern
2025-12-02FT
2nd Round
1 – 4
1. FC Köln1K
1 – 4
BMBayern München
2025-10-29FT
2 – 1
Union BerlinUB
2 – 1
ABArminia Bielefeld
2025-10-29AET
4 – 0
SV Darmstadt 98S9
4 – 0
F0FC Schalke 04
2025-10-29FT
1 – 3
Fortuna DüsseldorfFD
1 – 3
SFSC Freiburg
2025-10-29FT
0 – 3
IllertissenI
0 – 3
1M1. FC Magdeburg
2025-10-29FT
2 – 4
SC Paderborn 07S0
2 – 4
BLBayer Leverkusen
2025-10-29AET
0 – 1
SpVgg Greuther FürthSF
0 – 1
1K1. FC Kaiserslautern
2025-10-29FT
0 – 2
FSV Mainz 05F0
0 – 2
VSVfB Stuttgart
2025-10-29FT
1 – 4
Energie CottbusEC
1 – 4
RLRB Leipzig
2025-10-28FT
1 – 1
FC St. PauliFP
1 – 1
1H1899 Hoffenheim
2025-10-28PEN
0 – 1
FC AugsburgFA
0 – 1
VBVfL Bochum
2025-10-28FT
View all match results→

DFB Pokal — Team Stats

Side-by-side performance comparison of all 57 teams in the DFB Pokal. Bayern München leads with 5 wins this season. The colour-coded heatmap highlights wins, losses, draws, goals scored and conceded, goal difference, and win percentage — making it easy to spot the strongest and weakest teams at a glance for betting analysis.

DFB Pokal — Betting Insights

DFB Pokal 2025 — key betting statistics across 48 matches played. Games average 3.35 goals, with 33.3% seeing both teams score and 60.4% finishing with over 2.5 goals. Home sides win 20.8% of the time while 0.0% of matches end in a draw. Clean sheets are kept in 66.7% of games, and the most common scoreline is 0-1. Use these metrics to calibrate over/under, BTTS, and correct-score strategies.

3.35Goals / Match
33.3%Both Score %
60.4%Over 2.5 / 5.5 %
79.2%Over 1.5 %
45.8%Over 3.5 %
20.8%Home Win %
0.0%Draw %
79.2%Away Win %
66.7%Clean Sheet %
0.0%0-0 %
0.96Avg Home Goals
2.40Avg Away Goals
9.7Corners/Match
4.4Cards/Match
42.0%Home Poss.
58.0%Away Poss.
-12.50Home Advantage

Most Common Scorelines

The most frequently occurring final scorelines sorted by frequency. Each bar shows the number of matches and percentage ending with that exact score. Common scorelines help calibrate correct-score betting — a scoreline appearing in 15% or more of matches may offer value at typical odds.

0-1
16.7%(8)
0-2
14.6%(7)
0-5
8.3%(4)
2-3
6.2%(3)
1-2
6.2%(3)
1-3
6.2%(3)
1-0
4.2%(2)
0-4
4.2%(2)
2-4
4.2%(2)
3-0
4.2%(2)
3.35
Avg goals / game
161
Total goals
46
Home goals
115
Away goals
Try our Poisson predictor →

DFB Pokal — Season Trends

Goals distribution across 15-minute periods of play, revealing when goals are most likely to be scored. This is critical for live betting strategies — leagues with high concentrations of late goals (76-90 min) may offer value in late-goal markets, while first-half dominant leagues favor early cash-out strategies.

0-15
14.9%
16-30
10.6%
31-45
21.1%
46-60
13.7%
61-75
16.1%
76-90
23.6%

Top Scorers

The top 15 goalscorers in the DFB Pokal 2025 season. H. Kane leads with 7 goals, followed by C. Baumgartner (4) and L. Querfeld (4). These 15 players have scored 41 goals combined — key data for anytime goalscorer bets and understanding which teams depend on a single attacker.

  1. 1HK
    H. KaneBayern München
    7goals
  2. 2CB
    C. BaumgartnerRB Leipzig
    4goals
  3. 3LQ
    L. QuerfeldUnion Berlin
    4goals
  4. 4DU
    D. UndavVfB Stuttgart
    3goals
  5. 5LD
    L. DíazBayern München
    3goals
  6. 6MO
    M. OliseBayern München
    2goals
  7. 7RG
    R. Ghrieb1. FC Magdeburg
    2goals
  8. 8ED
    E. DemirovićVfB Stuttgart
    2goals
  9. 9HT
    H. TabakovićBorussia Mönchengladbach
    2goals
  10. 10SA
    S. AppelkampFortuna Düsseldorf
    2goals
  11. 11PS
    P. SchickBayer Leverkusen
    2goals
  12. 12AK
    A. KarazorVfB Stuttgart
    2goals
  13. 13EB
    E. BanzuziRB Leipzig
    2goals
  14. 14LH
    L. HölerSC Freiburg
    2goals
  15. 15IM
    I. MazaBayer Leverkusen
    2goals

Top Assists

The leading assist providers in the DFB Pokal 2025 season. F. Honorat tops the chart with 3 assists, followed by K. Stöger (3) and D. Undav (2). Assist leaders are often key creators whose involvement boosts their team's goalscoring — valuable context for both goalscorer and team performance markets.

  1. 1FH
    F. HonoratBorussia Mönchengladbach
    3Assists
  2. 2KS
    K. StögerBorussia Mönchengladbach
    3Assists
  3. 3DU
    D. UndavVfB Stuttgart
    2Assists
  4. 4AG
    Aleix GarcíaBayer Leverkusen
    2Assists
  5. 5WO
    W. OrbánRB Leipzig
    2Assists
  6. 6RA
    R. Ache1. FC Köln
    2Assists
  7. 7AK
    A. Kramarić1899 Hoffenheim
    2Assists
  8. 8JL
    J. LewelingVfB Stuttgart
    2Assists
  9. 9JK
    J. KimmichBayern München
    2Assists
  10. 10EP
    E. PokuBayer Leverkusen
    2Assists
  11. 11BK
    B. El KhannoussVfB Stuttgart
    2Assists
  12. 12MD
    M. DárdaiHertha BSC
    2Assists
  13. 13DR
    D. RaumRB Leipzig
    2Assists
  14. 14RO
    R. ObermairSC Paderborn 07
    2Assists
  15. 15DH
    D. HausmannIllertissen
    2Assists

Top Cards

Disciplinary leaders in the DFB Pokal 2025 season. A. Pavlović has received the most yellow cards with 3, followed by J. Leweling (2) and V. Grifo (2) — 31 yellows in total among listed players. On the red card side, T. Siersleben leads with 1. Card counts are essential for bookings markets and assessing which players are suspension risks.

Yellow Cards

  1. 1AP
    A. PavlovićBayern München
    3
  2. 2JL
    J. LewelingVfB Stuttgart
    2
  3. 3VG
    V. GrifoSC Freiburg
    2
  4. 4RH
    R. HendriksVfB Stuttgart
    2
  5. 5RA
    R. AndrichBayer Leverkusen
    2
  6. 6AG
    Aleix GarcíaBayer Leverkusen
    2
  7. 7ET
    E. TapsobaBayer Leverkusen
    2
  8. 8EB
    E. BanzuziRB Leipzig
    2
  9. 9IM
    I. MatanovićSC Freiburg
    2
  10. 10MD
    M. DárdaiHertha BSC
    2

Red Cards

  1. 1TS
    T. Siersleben1. FC Heidenheim
    1
  2. 2LP
    L. PinckertSV Elversberg
    1
  3. 3PS
    P. StrompfVfL Bochum
    1
  4. 4FG
    F. GötzeSC Paderborn 07
    1
  5. 5MT
    M. TaşdelenSG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
    1
  6. 6LO
    L. OellersBFC Dynamo
    1
  7. 7MW
    M. WengerowskiBW Lohne
    1
  8. 8RD
    R. DadaşovBFC Dynamo
    1
  9. 9MM
    M. MaglicaSV Darmstadt 98
    0
  10. 10OS
    O. SillahSpVgg Greuther Fürth
    0
Betting Analytics →

DFB Pokal — Teams

All 57 teams competing in the DFB Pokal 2025 season. Click any club to view their full squad, match history, and detailed statistics.

BMBayern MünchenFDFortuna DüsseldorfHBHertha BSCSFSC FreiburgVWVfL WolfsburgWBWerder BremenBMBorussia MönchengladbachF0FSV Mainz 05BDBorussia DortmundH9Hannover 961H1899 HoffenheimBLBayer LeverkusenEFEintracht FrankfurtFAFC AugsburgVSVfB StuttgartRLRB LeipzigF0FC Schalke 04HSHamburger SVVBVfL BochumSRSSV Jahn RegensburgSFSpVgg Greuther Fürth1M1. FC Magdeburg1H1. FC HeidenheimS9SV Darmstadt 98UBUnion BerlinDDDynamo DresdenS0SC Paderborn 07FPFC St. PauliABArminia BielefeldSSSV SandhausenHKHolstein Kiel1K1. FC Köln1K1. FC KaiserslauternKSKarlsruher SCHFHallescher FCSGSG Sonnenhof GrossaspachSWSV WehenECEnergie CottbusHRHansa RostockSLSportfreunde LotteFKFC Viktoria KölnRERot-Weiß EssenVLVfB LübeckFHFC 08 HomburgF0FC Schweinfurt 05FSFC SaarbrückenS1SSV Ulm 1846SESV ElversbergADAtlas DelmenhorstIIllertissenZMZFC MeuselwitzBSBahlinger SCF0FV Engers 07HHemelingenFGFC GuterslohBLBW LohneRERSV Eintracht

DFB Pokal — Referees

View all referees

Top 9 referees officiating in the DFB Pokal, led by S. Jablonski. Compare cards issued, goals per match, and strictness to anticipate how the assigned referee might influence match flow and card-related bets.

1S. Jablonski
Officiated
13
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
42
2S. Stegemann
Officiated
12
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
39
3F. Badstübner
Officiated
12
3
0
Y/M
0.25
R/M
0.00
Goals
31
4D. Schlager
Officiated
11
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
45
5D. Siebert
Officiated
9
7
0
Y/M
0.78
R/M
0.00
Goals
19
6F. Zwayer
Officiated
9
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
37
7H. Osmers
Officiated
9
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
25
8F. Brych
Officiated
9
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
32
9T. Stieler
Officiated
6
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
27

DFB Pokal — Past Seasons

Browse 8 archived seasons of the DFB Pokal, from 2017 to 2024. Each season page includes full standings, top scorers, and match results — useful for comparing historical performance and identifying long-term betting patterns.

History 16 Mar 2026

Founded1935Preceded byTschammerpokal

The DFB-Pokal was established in 1935 as the Tschammerpokal, a single-elimination knockout tournament designed to create a national championship outside the regional league structure. The competition was renamed the DFB-Pokal in 1952 following Germany's post-war reorganisation. Throughout its history, the format has evolved significantly: early editions featured regional qualifying rounds with varying numbers of participants, while the modern era (since 1971) standardised the competition to a 64-team knockout format. The introduction of the round-of-64 in 1971 opened the competition to lower-league clubs, democratising access and creating the dramatic upset potential that defines the tournament today. The DFB-Pokal has grown from a domestic curiosity into a global television event, with broadcast deals now reaching over 200 territories and generating substantial commercial revenue for German football.

  • —1935 — Tschammerpokal established as Germany's first national cup competition
  • —1952 — Competition renamed DFB-Pokal following post-war restructuring
  • —1971 — Modern 64-team format introduced, opening competition to lower-league clubs
  • —2013 — Bayern Munich complete the Treble (Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League) under Jupp Heynckes
  • —2020 — Bayern Munich win their 13th DFB-Pokal title, extending dominance
  • —2025 — VfB Stuttgart win fourth title, ending 28-year drought since 1997

Competition Format 16 Mar 2026

Teams64European spots1

The DFB-Pokal operates as a single-elimination knockout tournament across six rounds. Sixty-four teams participate, comprising all 18 Bundesliga clubs, all 18 Bundesliga 2 clubs, and 28 teams from the third tier and below. Matches are played on a home-and-away basis in the early rounds, with the final conducted as a neutral-venue showpiece at the Olympiastadion Berlin. In case of a draw after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time are played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. The winner earns automatic qualification to the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, or to the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds if they have already secured Champions League qualification through league position. The competition's knockout format creates opportunities for lower-league clubs to challenge elite opposition, producing memorable upsets and giant-killing performances that capture public imagination.

Records 16 Mar 2026

Most titlesBayern Munich (20)All-time top scorerGerd Müller (78 goals)

Bayern Munich's 20 DFB-Pokal titles represent unmatched dominance in the competition, with their nearest challenger Werder Bremen holding only 6 titles. The 2024/25 season saw VfB Stuttgart claim their fourth title, defeating Arminia Bielefeld 4–2 in the final.

Analysis 16 Mar 2026

Current Season Analysis

The 2025/26 DFB-Pokal season has progressed to its semi-final stage, with four elite clubs remaining in contention for the trophy. Bayern Munich, seeking to extend their record haul of 20 titles, face Bayer Leverkusen in one semi-final, while VfB Stuttgart, the defending champions, meet SC Freiburg in the other. Bayern's path to the semi-finals included a commanding 2–0 victory over RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals, demonstrating their characteristic dominance in knockout football. Stuttgart's progression has been equally impressive, with a 3–0 demolition of Holstein Kiel showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.

The semi-final draw presents a fascinating narrative: Bayern Munich, despite their historical dominance, face a formidable test against Leverkusen, who have emerged as one of the Bundesliga's most consistent challengers in recent seasons. Leverkusen's recent form and tactical sophistication could disrupt Bayern's pursuit of a 21st title. Meanwhile, Stuttgart's status as defending champions adds another layer of intrigue—the club that ended a 28-year drought just months ago now seeks back-to-back titles, an achievement that would rank among the most impressive feats in recent DFB-Pokal history. Freiburg's presence in the semi-finals, secured through a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Hertha BSC, represents the competition's capacity to reward consistency and resilience.

Harry Kane has emerged as a standout performer for Bayern Munich in the 2025/26 campaign, continuing his prolific goalscoring form in the competition. Kane's two-goal contribution in Bayern's quarter-final victory underscores his value in knockout football, where clinical finishing often determines outcomes. Across the semi-final contenders, individual brilliance will likely prove decisive, with Bayern's attacking depth and Leverkusen's balanced squad composition creating a compelling tactical clash.

The semi-finals scheduled for April 2026 will determine who joins the pantheon of recent DFB-Pokal champions. Bayern Munich's pursuit of title number 21 would cement their status as the competition's undisputed dynasty, while a Stuttgart triumph would validate their resurgence as a genuine trophy-winning force. Leverkusen's potential breakthrough would represent a generational shift in German cup football, and Freiburg's presence offers the competition's traditional underdog narrative—the possibility of a surprise finalist challenging the established order.

The DFB-Pokal's Unique Position in German Football

The DFB-Pokal occupies a distinctive place within German football's competitive landscape, distinct from both the Bundesliga and European competitions. As a knockout tournament with genuine access for lower-league clubs, it generates the kind of dramatic narratives that league football cannot replicate. The 64-team format ensures that semi-professional and lower-tier sides encounter Bundesliga elite, creating memorable David-versus-Goliath encounters that capture public imagination and drive television ratings. This structural feature has produced countless memorable upsets throughout the competition's 90-year history, from shock victories by regional clubs to unexpected runs by ambitious second-division sides.

The competition's historical significance is underscored by its role in German football culture. Unlike the Premier League's FA Cup, which has gradually diminished in prestige, the DFB-Pokal remains a major trophy that elite clubs prioritize. Bayern Munich's 20 titles and their repeated pursuit of domestic cup success reflect this; the club treats the competition with the same seriousness afforded to league and European trophies. This cultural valuation ensures that the DFB-Pokal final remains a marquee event in the German sporting calendar, typically attracting over 70,000 spectators to the Olympiastadion Berlin and substantial television audiences domestically and internationally.

Commercial Evolution and Media Presence

The DFB-Pokal's commercial trajectory has evolved significantly since its inception. The 2025–29 media rights cycle, valued at €1.1 billion as part of Germany's broader football media package, reflects the competition's sustained commercial appeal. Broadcast arrangements now span multiple territories, with ESPN securing exclusive English-language rights in North America and traditional broadcasters like ZDF and RTL maintaining free-to-air coverage in Germany. This multi-platform distribution strategy has expanded the DFB-Pokal's global reach, introducing the competition to audiences in Asia, South America, and beyond.

The competition's knockout format creates scheduling flexibility that broadcasters value, allowing for staggered match days that optimize television coverage and audience engagement. Unlike league football's synchronized fixtures, the DFB-Pokal's structure permits primetime scheduling that maximizes viewership across different time zones. This commercial advantage, combined with the competition's inherent drama and unpredictability, has made it an increasingly valuable asset within German football's media ecosystem.

Statistical Dominance and Performance Trends

Bayern Munich's dominance in the DFB-Pokal extends beyond their 20 titles to encompass numerous statistical records. The club's consistency in reaching final stages, their goal-scoring prowess, and their penalty shootout record reflect sustained excellence across multiple eras. In the 2025/26 season, Bayern's attacking output—including multiple multi-goal victories—demonstrates their continued mastery of knockout football. The club's ability to manage matches, control possession, and convert limited chances has become a hallmark of their cup performances.

Conversely, the recent emergence of alternative winners like Stuttgart (2024/25) and the competitive semi-final lineup of the 2025/26 season suggest a gradual democratization of DFB-Pokal success. While Bayern's 20 titles remain unmatched, the distribution of recent winners across multiple clubs indicates that the competition retains sufficient unpredictability to reward well-organized, in-form teams regardless of league position. This balance between Bayern's historical dominance and genuine competitive openness sustains the DFB-Pokal's appeal as a tournament where outcomes remain genuinely uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teams participate in the DFB-Pokal?

Sixty-four teams compete in the DFB-Pokal, including all 18 Bundesliga clubs, all 18 Bundesliga 2 clubs, and 28 teams from the third tier and lower divisions. This structure ensures representation across Germany's football pyramid and creates opportunities for lower-league clubs to challenge elite opposition.

Who has won the most DFB-Pokal titles?

Bayern Munich holds the record with 20 DFB-Pokal titles. Their nearest challenger is Werder Bremen with 6 titles. Bayern's dominance reflects their sustained success across multiple decades, particularly from the 1970s onwards.

When was the DFB-Pokal founded?

The DFB-Pokal was founded in 1935 as the Tschammerpokal and renamed in 1952. The modern 64-team knockout format was introduced in 1971, opening the competition to lower-league clubs and creating the dynamic tournament structure that exists today.

What is the prize for winning the DFB-Pokal?

The DFB-Pokal winner qualifies automatically for the UEFA Europa League group stage, or for Champions League qualifying if they have already secured Champions League qualification through league position. The winner also hosts the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against the Bundesliga champions at the season's start.

How does the DFB-Pokal differ from the Bundesliga?

The DFB-Pokal is a knockout cup competition where teams are eliminated after a single loss, whereas the Bundesliga is a league competition where clubs play each other twice. The DFB-Pokal's format creates dramatic upsets and allows lower-league clubs to compete against Bundesliga giants, whereas the Bundesliga determines the champion through points accumulated over 34 matches.

What happens if a DFB-Pokal match ends in a draw?

If a match is level after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time are played. If the score remains tied after extra time, a penalty shootout determines the winner. This format applies from the first round through the final.

API data: 27 Apr 2026 · Stats updated: 30 Apr 2026 · Content updated: 16 Mar 2026