DFB-Pokal Early Rounds: Live Broadcasts and Upcoming Second Round Draw

The first round of the 2026 DFB-Pokal is nearing completion, with the only remaining matches involving FC Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund (BVB). These two clubs' first-round games were delayed due to their meeting in the Supercup and are now set for early September. On September 2, the highly anticipated match between VfL Osnabrück and FC Bayern München will be broadcast live at 20:45 on ARD, accessible free-to-air to German audiences.

The draw for the competition's second round is scheduled for September 5, 2026, at 17:45, taking place at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. This event will be aired live on ARD's Sportschau and available for streaming on Joyn. A total of 32 teams will participate, divided into two pots: one containing Bundesliga and 2. Liga clubs, and the other comprising amateur teams. The draw will start with an amateur team, which will receive home advantage, followed by a professional team from the other pot. The second round matches are slated for October 27 and 28, with subsequent rounds throughout December 2026 and early 2027. The final is scheduled for May 29, 2027, in Berlin.

Beyond the DFB-Pokal, viewers can enjoy extensive football coverage across various platforms in Germany. Free-to-air channels like ARD and ZDF offer selected DFB-Pokal matches and national team games, while pay-TV services such as DAZN and Sky provide comprehensive coverage of European leagues, the Bundesliga, and Champions League matches. MagentaSport broadcasts all games from the 3. Liga and the Frauen-Bundesliga. This schedule ensures football fans have ample access to key matches during this busy period.