Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF and commercial network RTL have secured the remaining domestic rights package to the DFB-Pokal, the country’s top men's knockout soccer competition, in a four-year deal running through the 2029-30 season.
The agreement, struck with German club soccer’s DFB governing body, will see the two broadcasters share the awarded free-to-air (FTA) rights package, airing 15 matches each – including one final – per year, from the 2026-27 campaign.
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The package also includes highlights and clips.
The new agreement builds on ZDF’s current rights to the competition, which it has been showing alongside fellow public broadcaster ARD since 2022-23. That deal is due to expire at the end of the ongoing 2025-26 campaign.
It also completes the competition’s next four-year domestic rights cycle, with pay-TV heavyweight Sky already awarded the main package of rights (63 matches) after an initial rights tender in May, with ARD also securing a package of FTA games (15 matches) at that time.
During the first tender, the DFB decided against awarding the other FTA rights package in full due to bids being too low, stating: “Although there was market interest, there was no economically adequate offer.”
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By GlobalDataHowever, after negotiations with interested broadcasters, a follow-up auction then took place, with ZDF and RTL picking up the remaining rights.
DFB managing director Holger Blask has now said: “With our existing partners ARD, ZDF, and Sky, as well as our new live and highlight partner RTL, the DFB Cup will gain even more comprehensive media exposure.
“The decision not to award the rights package in May has proven to be the right one. As a result, we are ensuring economic stability for all participating clubs and guaranteeing fans very high visibility on both pay and free TV in the future.”
For RTL, the rights add to the broadcaster’s expanding soccer portfolio, which includes matches involving the German national team, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as games from England’s Premier League and the top match of the second-tier 2.Bundesliga.
ZDF, meanwhile, holds the rights alongside ARD to broadcast games involving the country’s women’s and men’s national teams until 2027 and 2028, respectively. The two public broadcasters have also acquired rights to the 2028 UEFA European Championship national teams competition.
Inga Leschek, RTL Deutschland chief content officer, said: “Small versus big, David versus Goliath – and always that special magic of the knockout duel.
“I'm all the more pleased that RTL, alongside ARD and ZDF, will be part of this football journey in the future. We make big moments visible for everyone and bring the fascination of the DFB Cup to free TV with powerful live events – accessible, emotional, for everyone.”
