DFB-Pokal

DFB-Pokal. The DFB-Pokal is the premier national association football cup competition in Germany, organized annually by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB). It is one of the country's most prestigious football tournaments, featuring a knockout format open to clubs from the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, 3. Liga, and regional cup winners. The winner earns qualification for the UEFA Europa League and contests the season-opening DFL-Supercup against the Bundesliga champion.

History

The competition was first held in 1935 as the Tschammer-Pokal, named after Hans von Tschammer und Osten, the Reichssportführer of the Third Reich. After a hiatus following World War II, the tournament was re-established in its current form by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund in 1952. Early editions were dominated by clubs like Rot-Weiss Essen and Schwarz-Weiß Essen, with the modern era seeing the rise of FC Bayern Munich as its most successful participant. The cup has witnessed numerous historic moments, including the 1999 final where Werder Bremen defeated FC Bayern Munich and the 1984 final where Borussia Mönchengladbach triumphed over 1. FC Köln. The women's equivalent, the DFB-Pokal Frauen, was inaugurated in 1980.

Format

The competition involves 64 teams in a single-elimination knockout format. Participation is granted to all clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, the top four finishers from the 3. Liga, and the 21 regional cup winners from the DFB state associations. Draws are conducted with clubs from lower divisions receiving home advantage. Matches are decided in one leg, with extra time and a penalty shoot-out used if necessary. The final is traditionally held at the Olympiastadion Berlin, a venue it has occupied since 1985, moving from previous locations including the Waldstadion in Frankfurt and the Niedersachsenstadion in Hannover.

Records and statistics

FC Bayern Munich holds the record for most titles, having won the competition over twenty times, followed by Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04. Notable records include the most final appearances by FC Bayern Munich and the most goals scored in a single final, a feat shared by several players including Gerd Müller and Robert Lewandowski. The largest victory in a final was achieved by FC Bayern Munich over Eintracht Frankfurt in 2005. In terms of consecutive wins, FC Bayern Munich also holds the record, having secured three titles in a row on multiple occasions. Legendary figures such as Uwe Seeler, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Lothar Matthäus have all lifted the trophy as captains.

Trophy and branding

The current trophy, made of sterling silver and gilded with fine gold, was designed by the Cologne-based artist Wilhelm Nagel and has been awarded since 1965. It stands approximately 52 centimeters tall and weighs around 6.25 kilograms. The design features a bowl supported by five stylized players, symbolizing the five German football regions at the time of its creation. The names of all winners are engraved on its base. The competition's logo and visual identity are managed by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund, with the iconic trophy image central to its marketing. The original Tschammer-Pokal trophy was lost during the war, with a replica now displayed at the German Football Museum in Dortmund.

Sponsorship and media coverage

The competition has been titled the "DFB-Pokal" since 1948, with naming rights sold to sponsors; it has been known as the "DFB-Pokal mit ***" (with the sponsor's name) during various sponsorship eras, with partners including Bitburger and currently MagentaSport of Deutsche Telekom. Domestic television rights are held by ARD and ZDF for free-to-air coverage of select matches and the final, while Sky Deutschland broadcasts most live matches. International broadcasting rights are sold to various networks globally. The Deutscher Fußball-Bund also maintains extensive digital coverage through its official website and social media channels.

Cultural significance

The DFB-Pokal holds a unique place in German football culture, renowned for its potential for "giant-killing" where amateur or lower-league clubs defeat elite Bundesliga sides, creating memorable stories like 1. FC Magdeburg's victory in 2022. The final in Berlin is a major national sporting event, attended by federal politicians including the President of Germany and the Chancellor of Germany. It is often seen as a more accessible and romantic competition compared to the league, offering smaller clubs a path to glory and European qualification. The tournament's history and upsets are celebrated in fan culture, media, and at institutions like the German Football Museum, cementing its status as a cherished national tradition. Category:Football competitions in Germany Category:National association football cups Category:DFB-Pokal