Overview
- The draw will take place at the Deutsches Fußballmuseum in Dortmund and starts at 17:45 CET on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
- Bastian Schweinsteiger will act as the draw conductor while ARD’s Sportschau will air the event live and Joyn will offer a free livestream and live ticker.
- Organizers will use two pots: a Profitopf of Bundesliga and 2. Liga clubs and an Amateurtopf of the three surviving amateur sides, who will be drawn first and receive home advantage.
- The three amateur teams in the Amateurtopf are SG Sonnenhof Großaspach, Rot‑Weiss Essen and SSV Jeddeloh II, each now guaranteed a home tie in the second round.
- Second‑round matches are scheduled for 27–28 October 2026 and the draw outcome will affect travel and midweek planning for clubs, managers and broadcasters across the rest of the cup calendar.