DFB-Pokal draw: Bayern Munich drawn away to VfL Osnabrück as holders begin defence
DFB-Pokal draw: Bayern to face VfL Osnabrück as holders begin defence; Dortmund drawn to HEBC. First round planned Aug 21–24; Bayern and Dortmund play Sept 1–2.
The DFB-Pokal draw paired double winners Bayern Munich with VfL Osnabrück, setting the holders on an away tie as the German cup season opens. The DFB-Pokal draw, conducted at the German Football Museum in Dortmund, produced 32 first-round pairings for the coming campaign. The draw was led by recently retired Bundesliga referee Deniz Aytekin and confirmed a packed schedule that includes two date exceptions for the country’s biggest clubs.
Bayern to begin defence away at VfL Osnabrück
Bayern Munich, who lifted the cup on 23 May 2026 with a 3-0 win over VfB Stuttgart in Berlin, will travel to face VfL Osnabrück in the first round. Osnabrück enter the tie as third-division champions and are freshly promoted to the 2. Bundesliga, offering a lively atmosphere and a traditional lower-league cup test. The fixture will demand focus from Bayern early in the season as they balance league obligations and European commitments.
Draw conducted by Deniz Aytekin at the German Football Museum
The draw was staged at the German Football Museum in Dortmund and overseen by Deniz Aytekin, who retired from Bundesliga refereeing this year. Aytekin, named Referee of the Year during his career, pulled the pots to deliver 32 matchups that mix professional clubs with regional cup winners. Officials noted the draw followed the DFB’s standard seeding and regional grouping for the first round, aiming to preserve travel and competitive balance.
First-round schedule set, two high-profile exceptions
The bulk of first-round ties are scheduled between 21 and 24 August, but the matches involving Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were moved to 1 and 2 September. The switch accommodates the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, which is set for 22 August at Dortmund’s stadium and kicks off at 20:30 local time. Because Bayern and Dortmund both have commitments tied to that event, the DFB arranged the later dates to avoid fixture congestion and broadcasting conflicts.
Borussia Dortmund to face HEBC; Stuttgart drawn to Hansa Rostock
Borussia Dortmund will open their cup defence away at HEBC, the Hamburg regional cup winners and an Oberliga club, presenting a classic David-versus-Goliath scenario. Reigning cup finalist VfB Stuttgart, who suffered defeat to Bayern in the recent final, were drawn away to FC Hansa Rostock, a third-division side that has produced notable cup upsets in past seasons. The early-round pairings continue the DFB-Pokal tradition of pairing top-flight clubs with lower-tier opponents, which often delivers surprise results.
Road to Berlin and stakes for clubs across divisions
The DFB-Pokal final is scheduled for 29 May 2027 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, preserving the competition’s end-of-season showcase. For top clubs like Bayern and Dortmund the cup represents both silverware and a route to European qualification if league results fall short. For smaller teams, a first-round tie against a major opponent can mean significant gate receipts, media exposure, and the chance to write a new chapter in cup folklore.
The mix of seeded and regional matchups in the draw ensures early drama, with several lower-division hosts prepared to test elite visitors amid enthusiastic local support. Managers will weigh squad rotation against the importance of advancing, while fans and broadcasters will watch closely for any shock results that traditionally define the DFB-Pokal’s opening weekend.
The draw’s timing and the scheduling accommodation for the Supercup underline the calendar pressures on German clubs as domestic and international competitions collide. Clubs now turn to planning travel, ticketing and matchday logistics, and coaches will consider how to balance their strongest lineups across competitions in the opening weeks of the season.
As the tournament approaches, observers will track how familiar powerhouses negotiate early hurdles and whether any underdog runs begin in earnest. The DFB-Pokal draw has set the stage for a domestic cup season that promises classic mismatches, competitive tests for promoted sides, and the perennial possibility of an upset that captures nationwide attention.
