The DFB-Pokal is Germany's main national cup competition. 64 teams start each season, it is played as a straight knockout, and in the end a single club lifts the golden trophy. The next final takes place on 29 May 2027 at Berlin's Olympiastadion. Here is how it works, why it is famous for upsets and what happens to the trophy afterwards.
How does the DFB-Pokal work?
64 teams, six rounds, every match a decider. There are no second legs: lose once and you are out. If the score is level after 90 minutes, extra time follows, and if needed a penalty shootout. The twist: in the early rounds the amateur and second-division clubs host the Bundesliga favourites. That is what fills small stadiums every year and sets up the famous surprises.
Why "the cup has its own rules"
No phrase comes up more often in the DFB-Pokal. The idea: in a single match, on a tight pitch, a third-division side can knock a Champions League club out of the competition. These cup upsets are the real draw. For the underdog, the game against the big name is often the match of a lifetime, and every so often it actually tips their way.
How long has the DFB-Pokal been around?
It has been played since 1935, and the first winners were 1. FC Nürnberg. Since 1985 the final has had a permanent home at Berlin's Olympiastadion, in front of more than 70,000 fans. The record holders are Bayern Munich with 20 titles, well clear of the rest. For many fans the Berlin final is the emotional peak of the season, whoever ends up lifting the cup.
When is the DFB-Pokal final 2027?
The 2026/27 final takes place on 29 May 2027 at Berlin's Olympiastadion, one week after the last Bundesliga matchday. The road there: round of 16 in early December 2026, quarter-finals in February, semi-finals in April 2027. There is an extra prize for the winner too: direct qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
The trophy, and how to bring it home
The golden cup the winner lifts in Berlin dates from 1965 and was designed by Cologne goldsmith Wilhelm Nagel. It weighs 6.25 kilograms, stands around 52 centimetres tall and is made of gold-plated sterling silver with 210 grams of fine gold. Because there is only this one original, no fan ever gets to hold it. What you can get is an accurate, officially licensed DFB-Pokal replica, from a display version to a mini. If you want to buy the cup, you will find the full range in our DFB-Pokal collection.
