Live DFB-Pokal TV & Broadcast Schedule

Where to Stream DFB-Pokal Live

Where to watch DFB-Pokal online: The premium networks and streaming platforms below hold the official broadcast rights to air live matches.

The DFB-Pokal is Germany’s premier knockout football tournament, pitting 64 of the nation’s top professional and amateur clubs against each other in a high-stakes, single-elimination bracket. Established in 1935, the competition is famous for its "Pokalsensationen"—dramatic giant-killings where regional amateur clubs upset Bundesliga powerhouses under floodlights. Spanning from late August through to May, the cup concludes with a spectacular final in Berlin. The 2026/27 tournament marks another highly anticipated campaign, with Bayern Munich defending their crown after completing a domestic double in 2026, pursued by elite Bundesliga rivals like Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and a hungry VfB Stuttgart.

Top teams

German cup football is fiercely unpredictable, though Bundesliga heavyweights consistently battle for final berths. The defending champions, Bayern Munich, reclaimed the cup in 2026 with a dominant 3–0 victory over VfB Stuttgart, powered by a spectacular second-half hat-trick from Harry Kane. Former champions Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund remain perennial threats with their deep rosters and tactical versatility, while RB Leipzig and Stuttgart possess the knockout tournament pedigree to dismantle any European powerhouse on their day.

Format

The tournament features a 64-team single-elimination format, consisting of all 36 clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, the top four finishers from the 3. Liga, and 24 qualifiers from the regional association cups. Lower-league teams are automatically granted home-field advantage in the early rounds to encourage dramatic upsets. Ties must be settled on the night; if scores are level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time is played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary, ensuring a winner-take-all drama that culminates at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Viewership

The DFB-Pokal commands massive global television ratings, drawing over 10 million domestic viewers for free-to-air marquee matches in Germany. Packed regional grounds and chanting fan choreographies create an electric atmosphere, while digital streaming feeds carry the action to millions of passionate football fans across the Americas, Asia, and Africa who tune in to witness German cup soccer's raw emotional drama.

Streaming options in Germany

In Germany, football fans can watch all 63 matches live on the premium subscription service Sky Deutschland. Additionally, select high-profile matches—including the semi-finals and the grand final—are broadcast live and free-to-air on national public broadcasters ARD and ZDF via their television and digital streaming platforms.

Streaming options in the US

For viewers in the United States, the exclusive live broadcasting rights are held by ESPN, with all matches streamed live in both English and Spanish on ESPN+. High-profile matchups, including the final rounds, are occasionally simulcast on linear television networks like ESPN2, giving American fans direct access to Germany’s historic cup competition.

Streaming options in the UK and Ireland

For supporters in the United Kingdom and Ireland, live coverage is distributed across the Premier Sports television channels and their digital streaming app. British and Irish fans can stream select marquee matchups from each round live, with comprehensive coverage of the semi-finals and the Berlin final.

International streaming options

Outside of the primary media territories, international football fans can access live streams through the German Football Association's official global digital platform, DFB.TV. For regions without a localized broadcast rights holder, official YouTube channels stream selected matches live and free of charge, ensuring global coverage.

Current season

The 2026/27 DFB-Pokal campaign officially kicks off with the first-round matches on August 21, 2026, running knockout stages through the autumn and winter. The tournament reaches its climax with the final on May 29, 2027, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Bayern Munich enter the campaign as defending champions, with matches showcased across Sky, ARD, and ZDF in Germany, ESPN+ in the US, and Premier Sports in the UK.