DFB-Pokal Halbfinal 2026: Fixtures Finalised After Schedule Shake-Up
FRANKFURT/MAIN, 09 March 2026. The German Football Association (DFB) has resolved a significant scheduling puzzle, confirming the final dates for the two highly anticipated DFB-Pokal semi-finals. In a departure from tradition, the matches will not be played on the usual Tuesday-Wednesday slot. Instead, the fixtures have been moved to Wednesday, 22 April 2026, and Thursday, 23 April 2026, to accommodate a congested calendar for the competing Bundesliga giants.
Confirmed Semi-Final Fixtures and Schedule
The road to the final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on 23 May 2026 is now clear. The four remaining clubs—all from the Bundesliga—now know exactly when they will contest their place in the showpiece event.
First Semi-Final: Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. FC Bayern München
The first last-four clash is a heavyweight encounter between the current Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, and a formidable Bayer Leverkusen side. This match has been scheduled for Wednesday, 22 April 2026, with a kick-off time of 20:45 CEST. The match will be broadcast live on ZDF and Sky Sport.
Second Semi-Final: VfB Stuttgart vs. SC Freiburg
In the other tie, defending DFB-Pokal champions VfB Stuttgart will host SC Freiburg. This fixture has been set for Thursday, 23 April 2026, also at 20:45 CEST. The game will be shown live on ARD’s “Das Erste” and Sky Sport.
Why the Unusual Thursday Fixture?
The rescheduling, particularly the move to a Thursday for the Stuttgart-Freiburg match, stems from a complex fixture clash. According to the original “Rahmentermine” (framework schedule) published by the DFB, the semi-finals were slated for 21 and 22 April. However, with several clubs involved in European competition and domestic league commitments, a direct clash emerged.
Reports indicate that neither Bayern Munich nor VfB Stuttgart, nor SC Freiburg, had a viable match window on Tuesday, 21 April. The DFB’s solution was to push the entire semi-final round back by one day, creating the unusual Wednesday-Thursday lineup to ensure all clubs have adequate preparation time.
Path to the Semi-Finals
The draw for the semi-finals was conducted on Sunday, 22 February 2026, live on ZDF. The four clubs have navigated a competition that began on 15 August 2025 with 64 teams. VfB Stuttgart enters as the reigning champion, looking to defend the title they won last season.
Broadcast Information at a Glance
For fans in Germany and internationally, the matches will be widely available:
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich (22 April): Live on ZDF and Sky Sport.
- VfB Stuttgart vs. SC Freiburg (23 April): Live on ARD (Das Erste) and Sky Sport.
International broadcasters will also carry the matches. The final is scheduled for Saturday, 23 May 2026 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are the 2026 DFB-Pokal semi-finals?
The semi-finals are on Wednesday, 22 April 2026 (Leverkusen vs. Bayern) and Thursday, 23 April 2026 (Stuttgart vs. Freiburg).
Why is one semi-final on a Thursday?
Due to scheduling conflicts, particularly with European and Bundesliga fixtures, the DFB moved the matches from the traditional Tuesday-Wednesday slot to Wednesday-Thursday to accommodate all clubs.
Who won the DFB-Pokal last season?
VfB Stuttgart are the defending champions.
Where will the DFB-Pokal final be played?
The final will be held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on 23 May 2026.
How can I watch the DFB-Pokal semi-finals?
In Germany, ZDF and Sky will show Leverkusen vs. Bayern. ARD (Das Erste) and Sky will broadcast Stuttgart vs. Freiburg. Check local listings for international coverage.
When was the semi-final draw?
The draw took place on 22 February 2026.