The DFB Pokal 2025/26 reaches its penultimate stage as defending champions VfB Stuttgart host regional rivals SC Freiburg in a semifinal showdown at the MHP Arena. Both Baden-Württemberg clubs have navigated challenging knockout rounds, but only one will advance to the final on May 23, 2026. Stuttgart aim for back-to-back finals after lifting the trophy last season, while Freiburg arrive with momentum from their Europa League semifinal run. This Baden derby promises tactical intensity and high stakes.
Match Preview
Stuttgart enter as slight favorites after defeating Freiburg 1-0 in their most recent Bundesliga encounter on February 1, 2026. The defending DFB Pokal champions have shown very good form throughout the season, dispatching Eintracht Braunschweig, Mainz, Bochum, and Holstein Kiel en route to the semis. Midfielder A. Karazor leads their cup scoring charts with two goals. Freiburg, however, cannot be underestimated. They’ve found spring form with an impressive Europa League campaign, crushing Celta Vigo 6-1 on aggregate to reach the semifinals of that competition. Their cup path includes victories over Sportfreunde Lotte, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Darmstadt, and a penalty shootout win against Hertha BSC. Vincenzo Grifo has been instrumental with two goals and one assist. The historical context adds spice: Freiburg won the Bundesliga fixture 3-1 in September 2025, proving they can trouble Stuttgart. This regional derby carries extra weight as both clubs battle for a place in Berlin’s final. The away tie presents a stern test for Freiburg, but their recent resilience suggests they’ll make Stuttgart work for every inch at the MHP Arena. Expect a tactically astute contest between two well-drilled German sides.
Kickoff Time
The match kicks off at 18:45 UTC (6:45 PM local time in Germany) on April 23, 2026. Fans across different time zones can catch the action at the following times:
- United States (ET): 2:45 PM
- United Kingdom: 7:45 PM
- Brazil (BRT): 3:45 PM
- Argentina (ART): 3:45 PM
- South Africa (SAST): 8:45 PM
- Australia (AEST): 4:45 AM (April 24)
How to watch online & on TV
The DFB Pokal semifinal will be broadcast across multiple platforms globally. In Germany, free-to-air coverage is available on Das Erste, with premium options on Sky. Across Europe, Sky networks, Servus TV, and various national broadcasters hold rights. In the Americas, ESPN networks and Disney+ provide comprehensive coverage, though subscription fees typically apply for streaming platforms like ESPN+, Disney+, Sky Go, and NOW. Check your local broadcaster’s subscription requirements before kickoff. African viewers can access the match through DStv Now and ESPN Africa, while select markets offer free streaming options alongside premium services.
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Sky Uno, NOW, Sky Calcio |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Das Erste, Sky Go, Sky Mix, Sky Top |
| 🇫🇷 France | ESPN Africa, beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Das Erste |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Das Erste |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Das Erste |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Das Erste |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Servus TV, Das Erste, Sky Go |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Das Erste |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Eleven Sports 1 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Nova Sport 1 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Digi Sport 2 |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Nova Sport 1 |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Das Erste |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | Das Erste |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Das Erste |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Das Erste |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | Cytavision Sports 7 |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Das Erste, Sky Go |
| 🇦🇩 Andorra | beIN Sports 1 |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | ESPN, Xsports, Disney+ |
| 🇺🇸 United States | ESPN Deportes, ESPNU |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | ESPN 4 Sur, Disney+ Premium |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | ESPN 2 Norte |
| 🇵🇾 Paraguay | ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | ESPN 4 Sur, Disney+ Premium |
| 🇺🇾 Uruguay | ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇪🇨 Ecuador | ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇻🇪 Venezuela | ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇧🇴 Bolivia | Disney+ Premium, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇭🇳 Honduras | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇬🇹 Guatemala | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇸🇻 El Salvador | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇦🇴 Angola | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇸🇲 San Marino | NOW, Sky Calcio, Sky Uno |
| 🇸🇩 Sudan | DStv Now |
| 🇸🇳 Senegal | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇨🇲 Cameroon | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇷🇼 Rwanda | ESPN Africa |
| 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇲🇱 Mali | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | ESPN Africa |
| 🇲🇷 Mauritania | DStv Now |
| 🇳🇦 Namibia | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇧🇼 Botswana | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇹🇬 Togo | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇲🇼 Malawi | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇳🇮 Nicaragua | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | ESPN Africa |
| 🇬🇲 Gambia | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇱🇸 Lesotho | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇺🇬 Uganda | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇦 Gabon | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇧🇮 Burundi | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo | DStv Now |
| 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇳 Guinea | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | DStv Now |
| 🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇳🇪 Niger | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇲🇬 Madagascar | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | ESPN Africa |
| 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇲🇿 Mozambique | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇸🇿 Eswatini | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇱🇷 Liberia | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | ESPN 2 Norte, ESPN 4 Sur |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | DStv Now, ESPN Africa |
| 🇧🇿 Belize | ESPN 2 Norte |
| 🇹🇩 Chad | DStv Now |
| 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico | ESPN Deportes |
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe | ESPN Africa |
| 🇸🇨 Seychelles | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇬🇺 Guam | ESPN Deportes |
| 🇩🇯 Djibouti | DStv Now |
| 🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands | ESPN Deportes |
| 🇪🇷 Eritrea | ESPN Africa, DStv Now |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Megogo |
How to watch anywhere with VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) lets you bypass geographical restrictions and access streaming platforms from anywhere in the world. If your region lacks official broadcast coverage or you’re traveling abroad, a VPN connects you to a server in a country where the match is available. Here’s how to set it up:
- Choose a reputable VPN provider and subscribe to their service
- Download and install the VPN app on your device (works on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Smart TV)
- Connect to a server in a country with broadcast rights (e.g., Germany for Das Erste, UK for Sky, USA for ESPN)
- Log in to the streaming platform and start watching the match as if you were in that country
Most premium VPN services offer fast connection speeds suitable for HD streaming and support multiple simultaneous devices. Check that your chosen VPN works with your preferred streaming service before kickoff, as some platforms actively block VPN traffic.
How to watch at Sportsbooks
Many online sportsbook platforms offer live streaming of major football matches to registered users with funded accounts. This provides a convenient two-in-one solution for betting and watching. The stream quality is typically reliable, and you can follow the action while monitoring your bets in real time. Here’s the standard process:
- Register an account with a licensed sportsbook that offers live streaming (check their promotions page for streaming availability)
- Make a qualifying deposit (minimum amounts vary by platform, often as low as $10/€10)
- Navigate to the live streaming section and look for the match with a ‘Play’ or ‘Watch Live’ icon
- Click to start the stream once the match begins (some platforms require a small bet to unlock streaming)
Sportsbook streams work across desktop browsers and mobile apps, making them accessible whether you’re at home or on the move. Always verify your jurisdiction’s regulations regarding online sports betting before registering.
This Baden-Württemberg derby promises drama, tactical battles, and a place in the DFB Pokal final. Don’t miss Stuttgart’s bid to defend their crown against a resurgent Freiburg side. Tune in on April 23 and follow TipsGG for post-match analysis, highlights, and expert breakdowns of the final.