German football competitions

You don’t have to limit your experience of German football to league games. You will also find plenty of atmosphere and excitement in cup competitions.

DFB-Pokal

What is it?

Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) is the name of the German football association. And it runs Germany’s main knockout competition – the DFB-Pokal. This cup began in 1935 – although it was called the Tschammer-Pokal back then – and is held every year. It is the second-most coveted prize in German football. The winner qualifies for the Europa League and plays the league champion in the DFL-Supercup.

How does it work?

64 teams, including all the clubs from the top two divisions, take part. The first round involves all the clubs in the top two divisions as well as the top four in 3. Liga. They are joined by 21 regional cup winners and the runners-up from the three largest regional associations.

Because every team involved in the football league system can compete in local competitions, this format makes sure that every team has the chance of being involved in the DFB Cup. This potential prize lifts the status of regional tournaments and brings extra interest, excitement and income to smaller clubs.

Home advantage for giant-killers

The draw for the first round is made from two groups of 32. The first group includes the previous season’s Bundesliga teams and the two 14 teams from the 2 Bundesliga. The bottom 14 teams from the 2 Bundesliga, the top 4 teams from the 3. Liga and the 24 amateur teams go into the second group. The first round is played at the home ground of the team from the second group.

The second round draw works in the same way. After that, all the remaining teams go into one group.

Although an amateur club has never won the cup, this system provides fantastic opportunities for surprise results and giant killing, as well as increased media attention and income for lower league clubs.

On to the final

And if your club makes it to the final rounds, there is the chance of a trip to the Olympia Station in Berlin.

DFL-Supercup

The game between the winners of the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal at the beginning of the season is called the DFL-Supercup. If a club wins the league and cup the previous year, the Bundesliga runners-up take the second place.

Verbandspokale

If you want local flavour and to find out about smaller clubs you should watch a regional cup game (Verbandspokal). Rules vary from region to region, but these cups are usually open to any team from the 3. Liga and below. As well as local bragging rights, the prize for the winners is the chance to compete in the first round of next season’s DFB Cup.

So, for a visitor to Germany, going to a regional cup game can be a great way to experience the atmosphere of a hotly contested local derby.