Following summit talks in Frankfurt/Main on Friday, 7th October, representatives from the DFB and DFL announced that the DFB-Pokal will retain its current format moving forward. The DFB-Pokal will continue to follow its established format of 64 participants from the first round, consisting of all Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs, four 3. Liga teams, as well as the 24 amateur sides that qualify for the competition.
DFB president, Reinhard Grindel: "The ‘David against Goliath’ fixtures are what gives the DFB-Pokal its appeal. It will stay that way. Every participant can continue to dream about a tie against Bayern München or Borussia Dortmund. This will also increase the appeal of the regional cup competitions."
DFL president, Dr. Reinhard Rauball: "The cooperation between professional and amateur football is what sets German football apart. With regards to the DFB-Pokal, the DFL respects the wish of DFB to keep the competition’s current format and not follow the DFL’s suggestion, which was aimed at allowing more amateur clubs take part, to improve things financially for amateur clubs and to give the top clubs in the Bundesliga additional freedom to play internationally."
Following summit talks in Frankfurt/Main on Friday, 7th October, representatives from the DFB and DFL announced that the DFB-Pokal will retain its current format moving forward. The DFB-Pokal will continue to follow its established format of 64 participants from the first round, consisting of all Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs, four 3. Liga teams, as well as the 24 amateur sides that qualify for the competition.
DFB president, Reinhard Grindel: "The ‘David against Goliath’ fixtures are what gives the DFB-Pokal its appeal. It will stay that way. Every participant can continue to dream about a tie against Bayern München or Borussia Dortmund. This will also increase the appeal of the regional cup competitions."
DFL president, Dr. Reinhard Rauball: "The cooperation between professional and amateur football is what sets German football apart. With regards to the DFB-Pokal, the DFL respects the wish of DFB to keep the competition’s current format and not follow the DFL’s suggestion, which was aimed at allowing more amateur clubs take part, to improve things financially for amateur clubs and to give the top clubs in the Bundesliga additional freedom to play internationally."
