Overview

• The draw for the 2025–26 first round takes place on Sunday, June 15, at 17:15 and is broadcast live on ZDF
• German athletics star Owen Ansah will oversee the selection process for all 64 participating clubs
• A two-pot system separates the 18 Bundesliga and 14 top 2. Bundesliga teams from 32 qualifiers from the 3. Liga and regional cup winners
• Under the rules, Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern München must each travel to amateur opposition, granting home advantage to the lower-tier hosts
• First-round matches run from August 15 to 18, though Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart will reschedule their ties due to Supercup commitments