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DFB Launches Auction for 2026/27 DFB-Pokal TV Rights, Free-to-Air Coverage Faces Cuts

The German Football Association opens bidding for men’s and women’s cup rights, with free-to-air matches potentially reduced by up to 40% for men’s games and women’s rights auctioned separately for the first time.

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Overview

  • The DFB has started the auction process for the 2026/27–2029/30 DFB-Pokal TV rights, introducing separate packages for men’s and women’s competitions.
  • Free-to-air coverage of men’s matches could drop from 15 to as few as nine games per season, with most matches potentially moving to pay-TV platforms.
  • The women’s DFB-Pokal TV rights are being auctioned independently for the first time, with a guarantee of at least five free-to-air matches per season.
  • Since 2022/23, ARD and ZDF have broadcast 15 men’s matches annually, while Sky airs all 63 games; these arrangements could change significantly under the new rights deals.
  • DFB director Holger Blask confirmed that the men’s and women’s rights packages are not linked, allowing distinct bids and scenarios for each competition.