Hansa Rostock to host VfB Stuttgart in DFB-Pokal opener

VfB Stuttgart and Hansa Rostock are set to face each other in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 21, 2026, at the Ostseestadion. The match serves as a curtain-raiser for the new German football campaign.

Stuttgart enters the fixture as the heavy favorite. The Bundesliga side, coached by Sebastian Hoeneß, recently finished fourth in the league and is preparing for Champions League involvement. Hansa Rostock, currently competing in the third tier, seeks a significant upset. While Rostock holds a competitive edge in match sharpness due to their ongoing 3. Liga season, Stuttgart holds a historical advantage in head-to-head competitive meetings.