The DFB-Pokal semi-final match-ups have been set. Here’s why VfB Stuttgart and SC Freiburg will play their match on a Thursday.
The German Football Association (DFB) has announced the dates for the two DFB-Pokal semi-final matches. Notably, the encounter between VfB Stuttgart and SC Freiburg will exceptionally take place on a Thursday, April 23rd.
The first semi-final, featuring Bayer Leverkusen against FC Bayern Munich, will be held a day earlier on Wednesday, April 22nd. This marks only the second time in this millennium that no DFB-Pokal semi-final has been scheduled for a Tuesday. The last instance was during the 2020/21 COVID-19 season, when both semi-finals were played on a Friday and Saturday.
The unusual timing is due to the scheduling of other matches in the preceding week. Both SC Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart, and FC Bayern are scheduled to play their Bundesliga matches on Sunday, April 20th, which is matchday 30. Given the mandatory minimum rest period of at least two days between matches, Tuesday was not a feasible option for a Pokal semi-final.
The decision to schedule Freiburg and Stuttgart’s league games on Sunday is, in turn, linked to European competitions. In the same week, the second legs of the Europa League quarter-finals are scheduled. When the fixture list was being compiled, both teams were still active in the competition, and the possibility of them playing on a Thursday was taken into account. Due to the aforementioned mandatory two-day rest period, only Sunday was a viable date for the 30th matchday of the Bundesliga.
DFB-Pokal Semi-Final Schedule: Broadcast Information
Regarding broadcasting, there are no significant changes for the semi-finals. Both matches will be available on pay-TV and via paid livestream on Sky. The stream can be accessed with a SkyGo subscription or through WOW.
Additionally, the semi-final between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich will be broadcast on free-to-air television on ZDF. The following day, ARD will show the Swabian-Baden derby between VfB Stuttgart and SC Freiburg. Both public broadcasters will also make the matches available for free in their media libraries.
DFB-Pokal Semi-Finals: Key Information
- Match: Bayer Leverkusen vs. FC Bayern Munich
- Competition: DFB-Pokal
- Round: Semi-final
- Date: April 22, 2026
- Time: 8:45 PM CET
- Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen
- TV: Sky, ZDF
- Livestream: SkyGo, WOW, zdf.de
- Match: VfB Stuttgart vs. SC Freiburg
- Competition: DFB-Pokal
- Round: Semi-final
- Date: April 23, 2026
- Time: 8:45 PM CET
- Venue: MHP-Arena, Stuttgart
- TV: Sky, ARD
- Livestream: SkyGo, WOW, sportschau.de
DFB-Pokal Semi-Finals: Matches at a Glance
| Date | Time | Home Team | Away Team | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 22 | 8:45 PM CET | Bayer Leverkusen | FC Bayern Munich | Semi-final |
| April 23 | 8:45 PM CET | VfB Stuttgart | SC Freiburg | Semi-final |
DFB-Pokal Semi-Finals: Bundesliga Table
On matchday 30, there was even a clash between two semi-finalists. FC Bayern Munich defeated VfB Stuttgart 4-2, thereby securing the championship prematurely. Freiburg, meanwhile, won 2-1 against Heidenheim on Sunday.
- The table after 30 matchdays:
| Rank | Team | Played | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Bayern Munich | 30 | 109:29 | 79 |
| 2 | Borussia Dortmund | 30 | 61:31 | 64 |
| 3 | RB Leipzig | 30 | 59:37 | 59 |
| 4 | VfB Stuttgart | 30 | 62:42 | 56 |
| 5 | TSG Hoffenheim | 30 | 59:44 | 54 |
| 6 | Bayer Leverkusen | 30 | 60:41 | 52 |
| 7 | SC Freiburg | 30 | 44:48 | 43 |
| 8 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 30 | 55:57 | 42 |
| 9 | FC Augsburg | 30 | 38:54 | 36 |
| 10 | 1. FSV Mainz 05 | 30 | 36:45 | 34 |
| 11 | 1. FC Union Berlin | 30 | 34:52 | 32 |
| 12 | 1. FC Köln | 30 | 44:51 | 31 |
| 13 | Bor. Mönchengladbach | 30 | 36:50 | 31 |
| 14 | Hamburger SV | 30 | 33:48 | 31 |
| 15 | SV Werder Bremen | 30 | 35:53 | 31 |
| 16 | FC St. Pauli | 30 | 26:51 | 26 |
| 17 | VfL Wolfsburg | 30 | 41:66 | 24 |
| 18 | 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 | 30 | 33:66 | 19 |