DFB-Pokal 2026/27: Breakdown of the 64 Participants

The DFB-Pokal is one of the unique competitions where teams from the Bundesliga, traditional clubs from lower leagues, and regional amateur teams compete against each other. For the 2026/27 season, the tournament will feature 64 teams in the first round.

The participant pool is divided into four groups:

Qualification Path

| Qualification Path | Number of Teams | |--------------------|-----------------| | Bundesliga 2025/26 | 18 | | 2. Bundesliga 2025/26| 18 | | 3. Liga 2025/26 | 4 | | Representatives of the State Associations | 24 | | Total | 64 |

This structure includes 36 teams from the top two leagues, four teams from the 3. Liga, and 24 representatives from the 21 DFB state associations.

18 Teams from the Bundesliga

All clubs that participated in the Bundesliga during the 2025/26 season automatically qualify for the DFB-Pokal 2026/27. This qualification is independent of whether a club became champion, secured a European spot, or was relegated.

Among the Bundesliga teams are well-known clubs such as FC Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and VfB Stuttgart. Even teams that were relegated remain eligible for the upcoming cup season, as qualification is based on the previous season's league status.

18 Teams from the 2. Bundesliga

All 18 teams from the 2. Bundesliga for the 2025/26 season also participate in the DFB-Pokal. This includes both teams promoted to the Bundesliga and those relegated to the 3. Liga.

For the 2026/27 season, teams like FC Schalke 04, Hertha BSC, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, and 1. FC Nürnberg will be in the cup. Again, the key factor for qualification is that the team was part of the 2. Bundesliga in the previous season.

Together, the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga account for 36 of the total 64 participants, meaning over half of the cup entrants come from Germany's top two leagues.

Four Spots from the 3. Liga

The four best-placed eligible teams from the 3. Liga qualify for the DFB-Pokal.

For the 2026/27 edition, these teams are:

• VfL Osnabrück
• FC Energie Cottbus
• Rot-Weiss Essen
• MSV Duisburg

Osnabrück finished the season as champions, while Cottbus secured second place. Rot-Weiss Essen and MSV Duisburg rounded out the four qualifying spots as third and fourth, respectively.

Reserve teams of licensed clubs are not allowed to participate in the DFB-Pokal. If an ineligible reserve team finishes in the top four, the spot is awarded to the next eligible team in the table.

24 Teams from the State Associations

The remaining 24 spots are allocated through the 21 DFB state associations. Typically, the winners of the regional cup competitions qualify.

These competitions include:

• Westfalenpokal
• Mittelrheinpokal
• Niederrheinpokal
• Bayerischer Toto-Pokal
• Hessenpokal
• Berliner Landespokal
• Sachsenpokal
• Niedersachsenpokal

Through these tournaments, clubs from the Regionalliga, Oberliga, or even lower divisions can qualify for the DFB-Pokal, provided they win their respective state cup.

For the 2026/27 season, teams like HEBC Hamburg, VSG Altglienicke, FC Carl Zeiss Jena, Hallesche FC, Würzburger Kickers, SC Verl, and 1. FC Saarbrücken will be participating through this route.

Why Are There 24 Spots for Only 21 Associations?

Although the DFB consists of 21 state associations, there are 24 spots to fill, necessitating that three associations receive an additional participant each.

These extra spots go to the larger member associations: Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Westphalia. The method for determining the second participant varies by association and competition structure.

For the DFB-Pokal 2026/27, the additional spots went to:

| State Association | Additional Participant | Qualification Path | |-------------------|-----------------------|--------------------| | Bavaria | TSV 1860 München | Second of the Bayerischer Toto-Pokal | | Lower Saxony | SSV Jeddeloh II | Winner of the Niedersachsenpokal for third and regional league teams | | Westphalia | SV Westfalia Rhynern | Champion of the Oberliga Westfalen |

TSV 1860 München benefited from the Bavarian system, while Westfalia Rhynern secured their spot through Oberliga success. Rhynern was the last team to complete the 64-team lineup.

Special Case: A Club Already Qualified via League

If a club wins its state cup but is already qualified through one of the top four spots in the 3. Liga, the regional spot does not go unused. Instead, the next eligible team from that state cup moves up.

An example from the 2026/27 qualification is the Niederrheinpokal. MSV Duisburg won the final against SC St. Tönis but was already qualified through its 3. Liga placement. Consequently, the runner-up, SC St. Tönis, also received a spot in the first round.

This scenario illustrates why not every representative from a state association must necessarily be a cup winner.

Two Draw Pots with 32 Teams Each

For the first round draw, the 64 teams are divided into two pots.

The "Profit" pot includes the 18 Bundesliga teams and the 14 highest-placed teams from the previous 2. Bundesliga season. The amateur or second pot consists of the four weakest second-division teams, the four teams qualified through the 3. Liga, and the 24 representatives from the state associations.

Thus, each pot contains exactly 32 teams. In the first round, one team from the amateur pot is drawn against a team from the profit pot.

The lower-ranked team typically has home advantage, often resulting in Bundesliga teams facing smaller clubs away from home.

Economic Importance for Amateur Clubs

While the chances of an Oberliga or Regionalliga team defeating a Bundesliga side are often slim, the economic impact of participating in the first round can be significant.

In addition to guaranteed revenue from marketing proceeds, clubs can earn income from ticket sales, concessions, advertising, and potentially live broadcasts. Home matches against teams like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, or Schalke 04 are particularly lucrative.

However, costs associated with security measures, additional seating, staffing, and technical arrangements can also arise. If a club's home ground does not meet requirements, they may need to relocate their match to a larger stadium. Thus, the financial benefits depend not only on the opponent and attendance but also on event costs.

Conclusion

The DFB-Pokal 2026/27 features a well-defined structure: 18 teams from the Bundesliga, 18 from the 2. Bundesliga, four from the 3. Liga, and 24 from the state associations, totaling 64 teams.

The inclusion of 24 regionally allocated spots gives the competition its unique character. Through the state cups, smaller clubs have the opportunity to face Bundesliga teams and gain significant additional revenue alongside a sporting highlight.

The DFB-Pokal remains a vital link between professional and amateur football, representing one of the most economically and sportingly significant matches in the history of many smaller clubs.