About DFB-Pokal

The DFB-Pokal is Germany’s main national knockout football cup competition, organized by the German Football Association. It has been held annually since 1935, originally under the name Tschammer-Pokal, before being re-established after World War II in the early 1950s. The competition runs alongside the league season and includes clubs from multiple levels of German football, making it one of the country’s most important domestic tournaments.

Before and during the early years of the modern DFB-Pokal, the tournament was played in a straight knockout format, with teams eliminated after a single defeat. It was open to a wide range of clubs, including top division sides and regional qualifiers, which often created unpredictable results and opportunities for smaller teams to challenge stronger opponents. The early structure helped establish the cup’s reputation for surprise victories and competitive balance.

Since its reintroduction in the post-war period, the DFB-Pokal has grown into a major national competition and is now considered the second most important title in German football after the league championship. It traditionally ends with a final match at a neutral venue, and the winner earns both a trophy and qualification for European competition. Over time, it has remained famous for its knockout drama and the possibility of underdog teams achieving unexpected success.