DFB-Pokal round of 16 draw: Bayern host Hertha BSC, Frankfurt face Dortmund

The draw

The DFB-Pokal round-of-16 pairings were made at the German Football Museum in Dortmund on 1 November 2026. Markus Gaugisch, Bundestrainer of Germany's women's handball team, conducted the draw. Holders FC Bayern Munich were given a home tie against Hertha BSC, the second-division leaders who are still unbeaten. Bayern and FC Augsburg were the last two Bavarian sides in the competition, and both drew second-division opposition, with Augsburg travelling to VfL Bochum. Eight ties were set in total.

Bundesliga clashes

Six of the eight ties pit a Bundesliga club against a second-division side, and the other two match top-flight clubs. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig both face away trips against top-flight opponents. Eintracht Frankfurt, the 2018 cup winners after beating Bayern 3:1 in that final, host Borussia Dortmund. Frankfurt lost the 2023 final 0:2 to RB Leipzig, and in the second round they beat Hamburger SV 3:1 away. Their coach is Adi Hütter. Bayer Leverkusen host RB Leipzig in the other top-flight tie.

Bundesliga against second Bundesliga6

Bundesliga against Bundesliga2

Bundesliga against second Bundesliga

6

Bundesliga against Bundesliga

2

Data from the article text

Reaction at the draw

On television before the draw, Norbert Dickel, a Dortmund club legend, said:

“I do not want to play against Bayern.”

After the draw, Dickel commented on Dortmund's opponent:

“I don't really like what you are putting on there.”

Second-division challengers

Darmstadt won 2:0 away at SV Elversberg, the top-flight newcomers, and now travel to Borussia Mönchengladbach. VfB Stuttgart meet Dynamo Dresden, and 1. FC Kaiserslautern face SC Freiburg. Holstein Kiel take on 1. FC Köln, while VfL Bochum host FC Augsburg. Bayern's tie with Hertha and Augsburg's trip to Bochum complete the Bavarian pairings.

Key dates

The round of 16 is set for 1 and 2 December 2026, and the exact timing of each tie is still to be announced. The quarter-finals run between 2 and 10 February 2027, and the semi-finals take place on 20 and 21 April 2027. The final is scheduled for 29 May 2027 at Berlin's Olympiastadion.