Overview
- The DFB published the full first-round schedule, which opens on 21 August with the Südwest derby between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern kicked off at 18:00.
- The first round runs across 21–24 August and concludes on 24 August with Hallescher FC hosting FC Schalke 04 at 20:45.
- Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern will enter the competition later than other clubs, with Dortmund set to play HEBC Hamburg on 1 September at 20:45 and Bayern due at VfL Osnabrück on 2 September at 20:45 because the Franz‑Beckenbauer‑Supercup occupies the Pokal weekend.
- Broadcasters were finalized with Sky showing all 32 first‑round matches live and four selected games designated for free‑to‑air coverage on ZDF, ARD and RTL.
- The precise timing highlights headline regional matchups such as Preußen Münster–Karlsruher SC and Hansa Rostock–VfB Stuttgart and gives lower-division hosts fixed TV windows that increase exposure and potential match revenue.