HSV travel to face FK 03 Pirmasens on Saturday afternoon

The German Football Association (DFB) have confirmed the dates and kick-off times for the first round of the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal. Hamburger SV will open the 2025/26 competitive season away at FK Pirmasens on Saturday, 16th August at 13:00 CEST. The club of HSV goalkeeping coach Sven Höh’s youth finished the past season in third place in the fifth tier and qualified for the DFB-Pokal after winning the South-West regional cup.

The Rothosen will be the favourites to advance, something they themselves naturally hope to achieve. “Our goal is of course to reach the next round,” said head coach Merlin Polzin. The Bundesliga will begin the following weekend, with the Rothosen set to become the first top-flight side to kick off their pre-season preparations when the team return to Hamburg on Monday, 30th June.