1st and 2nd rounds

The lots for the first round are drawn from two pots. The first pot contains the 18 Bundesliga teams and 14 clubs of the Second Bundesliga, in the second pot are the 24 amateur teams and the four promotion candidates as well as the four relegated teams of the 2nd Bundesliga. These 32 clubs will automatically be granted home advantage.

The same procedure is applied when it comes to the second round, where again lots are drawn from two pots. The first pot contains the professional clubs, the second contains the amateur clubs who will also get home advantage. Starting with the fourth round, there will be only one lot pot. The amateur clubs that are still in competition against Bundesliga clubs will maintain their home advantage.

3rd round, quarterfinal, semi-final

Decision on the opponents of the semi-finals is drawn from a lot pot. The home advantage is with the club drawn first, unless one of the competing clubs is an amateur. Should this team be drawn in the second place in a round vs. a professional team, the home advantage will be changed.

The final

The winners of the two semi-finals will meet at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin for the cup final.

Determining the winner

If after the end of the normal playing time, none of the teams has won, the match will be extended by 2 x 15 minutes, and if after that time there is still no winner, the final decision will be made by penalty shoot-out.