Record DFB-Pokal Wins

Lore & Background

The DFB-Pokal is a German knockout football cup competition held annually by the German Football Association (DFB). It was founded in 1935 as the Tschammer-Pokal and reinstated in 1952–53 under its current name. Bayern Munich hold the record for most titles with 21.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights cut through the night air over the stadium, illuminating the pristine turf where history was about to be written. In the tunnel, the captain tightened his armband, feeling the weight of twenty previous winners resting on his shoulders. This wasn't just another final; it was a chance to extend the legacy etched into the club's soul. The roar of the crowd was muffled by the silence inside the locker room, replaced only by the memory of past glories—Beckenbauer's grace, Müller's finishing, Kahn's fury—not as ghosts, but as standards to be met. As the referee signaled for the teams to emerge, the captain knew that tonight wasn't about chasing records; it was about honoring a lineage written in silver and gold, one victory at a time.

Reader's Guide

The competition begins with a round of 64 teams, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga along with the four best teams from the 3. Liga. Reserve teams are ineligible to enter. The winner qualifies for the DFL-Supercup and the UEFA Europa League unless already qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

Did You Know?

• Bayern Munich have won a record 21 DFB-Pokal titles.
• Bayern Munich are the current holders, having beaten VfB Stuttgart 3–0 in the 2026 final.
• Fortuna Düsseldorf hold the record for most consecutive tournament game wins (18) between 1978 and 1981.