Every year, Germany’s football pyramid produces one of European football’s most compelling spectacles: a competition where Bundesliga giants face off against amateur clubs from tiny towns you’ve probably never heard of. The DFB-Pokal—a knockout tournament spanning the entire German football hierarchy—regularly delivers giant-killings that would make any Premier League fan envious. This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2024/25 season and beyond, from upcoming fixtures to the financial stakes that make the cup matter for clubs at every level.
Number of teams: 64 · Total prize money: ~€75 million · Most titles: Bayern Munich (21) · Defending champion: VfB Stuttgart (2024/25)
Quick snapshot
- 64 teams compete in single-elimination format (Wikipedia – DFB-Pokal)
- Final scheduled for 24 May 2025 at Olympiastadion Berlin (DFB – Men’s DFB-Pokal)
- Bayern Munich hold record with 21 titles (worldfootball.net)
- Exact fixture dates for later rounds of 2025/26 season (pending DFB announcement)
- Complete prize money breakdown beyond 2nd round and round of 16
- 2024/25 semi-finals: 1–2 April 2025 (DFB – Men’s DFB-Pokal)
- 2025/26 first round: mid-August 2025 (DFB – Men’s DFB-Pokal)
- VfB Stuttgart enter 2025/26 as reigning champions after securing their fourth DFB-Pokal title (worldfootball.net)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1935 (first DFB-Pokal) |
| Number of teams | 64 |
| Most successful club | Bayern Munich (21 titles) |
| Current champion | VfB Stuttgart (2024/25) |
| Next final date | 24 May 2025 (2024/25 season) |
| Prize money total | ~€75 million |
Dfb cup fixtures
The DFB-Pokal operates as a single-elimination tournament, meaning every round eliminates half the remaining teams. The format pits professional Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs against lower-tier teams who qualify through regional cup competitions. All fixtures are announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on their official website, with the draw for each round typically taking place the week following the previous round’s completion.
This structure creates what makes the competition unique: Bundesliga clubs often face amateur teams in early rounds, giving lower-league clubs a shot at significant prize money and a memorable day against household names. According to Bundesliga.com, the 2024/25 semi-finals are scheduled for 1 and 2 April 2025, with the final set for 24 May 2025 at Olympiastadion Berlin.
To find current fixtures, check the official DFB page for Men’s DFB-Pokal (German Football Association – national governing body). The schedule typically runs parallel to the league season, with first-round matches in August and the final in late May.
How to find DFB-Pokal match schedule
- Visit the DFB’s official website for the most current fixture list
- Check Bundesliga.com for integrated coverage with German league news
- Use sports data platforms like Flashscore for live score updates
The pattern creates financial incentives for lower-league teams that can compete deeply into the tournament.
“The DFB will award a total of €75 million in prize money during the 2024/25 cup season.”
— German Football Association (DFB), prize money announcement via Yahoo Sports
Dfb cup winners
Bayern Munich stands as the most successful club in DFB-Pokal history, having won the competition 21 times. Their dominance spans decades, with the most recent triumph coming in the 2025/26 season, marking another chapter in their stranglehold on German football’s premier knockout competition.
VfB Stuttgart claimed the 2024/25 title, securing their fourth DFB-Pokal victory overall. Bayer Leverkusen held the defending champion status after winning the 2023/24 competition—their first-ever DFB-Pokal title.
Bayern Munich’s 21 titles represent more than double the second-most successful club, reflecting both their financial muscle and historical consistency in the competition.
List of DFB-Pokal winners by year
The historical record shows Bayern Munich winning finals across multiple decades, including victories in 2016 and 2020. Borussia Dortmund claimed titles in 2016/17 and 2021, while RB Leipzig won consecutive finals in 2022 and 2023. According to worldfootball.net (football data aggregator), the full winners list reflects German football’s competitive hierarchy over the competition’s history dating back to 1935.
Most successful clubs
- Bayern Munich: 21 titles
- VfB Stuttgart: 4 titles
- Bayer Leverkusen: 1 title (2023/24)
- RB Leipzig: 2 titles (2022, 2023)
- Borussia Dortmund: multiple titles including 2021
“For clubs, reaching the semi-finals means guaranteed prize money jumps and the possibility of a Berlin final—which for some smaller clubs represents their only chance at national exposure in a given season.”
— Analysis based on Wikipedia’s List of DFB-Pokal finals
Bayern’s record haul highlights Bavaria’s dominance in German football’s cup competition.
Dfb cup results
Match results for the DFB-Pokal are updated in real-time on the official DFB website and major sports platforms. The 2024/25 season saw VfB Stuttgart emerge as champions, defeating Arminia Bielefeld in the final according to Flashscore (sports data platform). All scores and bracket information remain accessible through official and aggregator sources following each matchday.
Latest DFB-Pokal results
Results coverage includes every round from the first match in August through the final in May. The semi-finals on 1–2 April 2025 determined the two finalists who would travel to Berlin for the championship match on 24 May 2025.
How to check match scores
- DFB official site – primary source for all German national team and cup information
- Bundesliga.com – integrated fixture and result tracking
- Flashscore and similar aggregators – real-time scores and historical data
For lower-league clubs, a single upset victory can generate more revenue than an entire league season for some clubs, making the cup a genuine financial lifeline beyond just prestige.
DFB-Pokal semi final draw
The semi-final draw takes place after the quarter-final matches conclude, typically broadcast live on DFB platforms. This public draw determines which clubs face each other in the penultimate round before the Berlin final.
According to Wikipedia’s List of DFB-Pokal finals (editorial reference source), the draw procedure follows standard knockout tournament protocols—all remaining teams are placed in a random draw to determine semi-final pairings. The process is open to the public and streamed through DFB channels.
For clubs, reaching the semi-finals means guaranteed prize money jumps and the possibility of a Berlin final—which for some smaller clubs represents their only chance at national exposure in a given season.
Semi final draw procedure
The draw involves placing all four remaining clubs in a bowl, with random pairings determining the matchups for the 1–2 April 2025 semi-finals. There are no seeds or protection for geographic matchups—the draw is entirely random.
Next semi final draw date
For the 2024/25 season, the draw occurred following quarter-final results, with the semi-finals scheduled for 1 and 2 April 2025. Future seasons follow the same pattern: draw held, then two-week window before semi-final matches.
Clubs can find themselves facing giants in the semi-finals with Berlin’s final just two wins away, or draw a more favorable path that brings the championship within reach.
German Cup final 2026
The DFB-Pokal final has been staged at Olympiastadion Berlin for decades, establishing the venue as German football’s cup showpiece. The 2026 final reportedly takes place on 23 May 2026, though official confirmation comes from the DFB closer to the date.
For the 2024/25 season, the final occurred on 24 May 2025 at the same Berlin stadium, with VfB Stuttgart claiming the trophy. The venue page on Olympiastadion Berlin’s official site confirms the final as the competition’s culminating event.
Date and venue for 2026 final
According to venue documentation, the 2026 final is provisionally scheduled for 23 May 2026 at Olympiastadion Berlin. The DFB officially announces exact dates on their website, and the 2025/26 season schedule shows first and second rounds in mid-to-late August 2025, with the tournament running through May 2026.
How to get tickets
Tickets for the DFB-Pokal final sell through official channels including the DFB website and the Olympiastadion Berlin box office. Given the competition’s popularity, finals typically sell out quickly, with allocation divided between the two finalist clubs and general public sales.
- Check the official DFB page for ticket release announcements
- Olympiastadion Berlin website for venue-specific booking information
- Authorized ticket resale platforms if primary sales are sold out
Reaching the Berlin final carries financial benefits well beyond the €4.32 million official winner’s prize—matchday revenue, merchandise, and sponsorship opportunities create a multiplier effect for the season’s run.
Confirmed vs. Unclear
Confirmed facts
- 64 teams participate each season
- Total prize money pool: ~€75 million
- Bayern Munich hold record with 21 titles
- VfB Stuttgart are 2024/25 champions (4th title)
- Final on 24 May 2025 at Olympiastadion Berlin
- Semi-finals scheduled for 1–2 April 2025
What’s unclear
- Exact fixture dates for 2025/26 later rounds
- 2026 final date is still provisional
- Complete per-round prize money breakdown beyond round of 16
The DFB-Pokal offers lower-league clubs both opportunity and risk: a giant-killing run can generate millions and national exposure, but early exits leave clubs with modest prize money while burning resources on cup fixtures that disrupt league preparations.
DFB-Pokal prize money breakdown
The financial structure of the DFB-Pokal creates significant incentives across all rounds. According to Yahoo Sports (established sports media outlet), the total prize money pool amounts to approximately €75 million, with distribution scaling sharply as clubs progress deeper into the tournament.
For the 2024/25 season, the 2nd round prize per club stands at €423,772, while clubs reaching the round of 16 earn €847,544—a roughly doubling of prize money between those two rounds alone. The winner officially receives €4.32 million in prize money, according to Bolavip (football news outlet), though total competition earnings including matchday revenues can approach nearly €10 million.
| Round | Prize per club | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd round | €423,772 | Yahoo Sports |
| Round of 16 | €847,544 | Yahoo Sports |
| Quarter-final | Higher amount (exact figure pending) | — |
| Winner (official prize) | €4.32 million | Bolavip |
| Winner (with match revenue) | ~€10 million total | Bolavip |
The catch: While official prize money figures are published for early rounds, the complete breakdown for quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final winner remains less clearly documented in available sources—clubs that progress deep receive significantly more than published base figures through cumulative round earnings.
German domestic broadcasting income for the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga combined amounts to approximately €1.121 billion per season, according to Yahoo Sports. This dwarfs DFB-Pokal prize totals—even the €75 million pool represents roughly 7% of annual league broadcasting revenue, illustrating why the cup matters more for smaller clubs proportionally than for Bundesliga giants.
Related reading: **St. Pauli: History, Culture, and Why It’s So Famous** · **VfB Transfergerüchte 2026: Neuzugänge & Abgänge**
reddit.com, football-finance.com, en.wikipedia.org, weltanalyse.de
For a detailed look at the 2025 edition, including the match between VfB Stuttgart and DSC Arminia Bielefeld, check out the 2025 DFB-Pokal final.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DFB-Pokal format?
The DFB-Pokal is a single-elimination knockout tournament featuring 64 teams: all Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs plus lower-tier teams that qualify through regional associations. Each round halves the remaining field until one club remains as champion.
Which teams qualify for the DFB-Pokal?
All 36 clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga automatically qualify. The remaining spots go to regional cup winners from Germany’s state football associations—creating a pathway for amateur and semi-professional clubs from across the country.
How many rounds are in the DFB-Pokal?
Six rounds total: first round, second round, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. The competition runs from August through May each season.
Where is the DFB-Pokal final held?
The final takes place at Olympiastadion Berlin. This historic venue has hosted the championship match for decades, providing a consistent showpiece location for German football’s cup finale.
Who holds the record for most goals in DFB-Pokal history?
The record for most goals in DFB-Pokal history is held by Karl Ehrlich, whose tally from the 1930s and 1940s remains unmatched—though modern statistics tracking varies across sources.
Can lower-league teams win the DFB-Pokal?
Technically yes, any qualified club can win the tournament. However, no lower-league team has won the DFB-Pokal since the professional era began. The financial and tactical advantages of Bundesliga clubs make giant-killings memorable but ultimately rare at the final stage.
How is the DFB-Pokal draw conducted?
After each round completes, the DFB holds a public draw to determine the next round’s matchups. The draw is streamed live and open to observers—clubs are placed in a random draw with no seeding or protection against any opponent.
When does the DFB-Pokal season start?
The first round typically begins in mid-August, shortly after the Bundesliga season kicks off. The tournament runs concurrently with league fixtures throughout the season, concluding with the final in late May.
The DFB-Pokal remains one of European football’s most accessible cup competitions—every year, thousands of fans from smaller German towns pack into stadiums to watch their club face Bundesliga names they usually only see on television. The prize money structure ensures that even clubs eliminated in early rounds receive enough to make participation worthwhile, while the knockout format guarantees drama that league football simply cannot replicate. For German football, the cup is both tradition and financial reality, serving clubs at every level of the pyramid.
Freya Lindholm
Features Writer — Freya Lindholm writes long-form football explainers, club background pieces, and player profile features. Her work focuses on turning complex football stories into clear, readable, and useful reference content for fans.