DFB-Pokal Round of 16 Pairings Revealed
The highly anticipated draw for the DFB-Pokal 2025/2026 Achtelfinale (round of 16) took place on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The draw has set the stage for several compelling matchups, including two all-Bundesliga encounters that promise intense competition. The matches are scheduled to be played on Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The final of the competition will be held on May 23, 2026, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Key Matchups and Draw Details
Among the most prominent fixtures, Borussia Dortmund will host Bayer Leverkusen in a significant clash, while record champions Bayern Munich will travel to the capital to face Union Berlin. The draw was conducted by sailor Felix van den Hövel from the German SailGP team and was broadcast live on ZDF and the ZDF-Mediathek. For the first time in this season's competition, the video assistant referee (VAR) will be in use from the Achtelfinale onwards. All 16 teams remaining in the competition are from either the 1. or 2. Bundesliga, ensuring a high level of competition throughout this round. The team drawn first in each pairing will have home advantage, irrespective of their league affiliation.
Full List of Achtelfinale Fixtures
The complete list of pairings for the DFB-Pokal Achtelfinale 2025/2026 is as follows:
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen
- Union Berlin vs. Bayern Munich
- Hamburger SV vs. Holstein Kiel
- VfL Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart (defending champions)
- Hertha BSC vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
- SC Freiburg vs. Darmstadt 98
- Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. FC St. Pauli
- RB Leipzig vs. 1. FC Magdeburg
Road to the Final
With the round of 16 now set, teams will prepare for their December encounters. The DFB-Pokal is Germany's second most important club title, and the winner earns automatic qualification for the group stage of the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League. The exact kick-off times for each match will be announced by the DFB in the coming days, following coordination with clubs, security authorities, and television broadcasters.
5 Comments
paracelsus
No real minnows left, where's the cup magic?
anubis
The big matchups like Dortmund-Leverkusen are undeniably exciting for neutrals. However, it's a shame to see two strong contenders eliminate each other so early in the competition.
paracelsus
Bringing in VAR for the Achtelfinale is a move towards greater accuracy in decisions. Yet, I worry it might strip some of the raw emotion and fast pace that makes cup football so special.
anubis
Union Berlin hosting Bayern is a massive game for the capital club and their fans. Still, it puts immense pressure on them and could easily just be another dominant Bayern win.
paracelsus
It's great that only 1. and 2. Bundesliga teams remain, guaranteeing high-level football throughout. On the other hand, the absence of true underdogs takes away from the traditional David vs. Goliath narrative of the cup.