The German Cup quarter-final draw has served up a headline clash as Bayern Munich prepare to welcome RB Leipzig to the Allianz Arena in what is expected to be one of the standout matches of the competition. The draw, released on Sunday, has lined up several intriguing fixtures as the race to the 2026 final intensifies.
Record holders Bayern, who have lifted the German Cup 20 times, are hoping to revive their cup fortunes after failing to reach the semi-finals since their last triumph in 2020. Their journey, however, will not be easy. RB Leipzig, winners in 2022 and 2023, have established themselves as one of the strongest cup sides in recent years. The two clubs also share a memorable history in the competition, including the 2019 final, where Bayern claimed a commanding 3–0 victory.
Both sides are currently dominating the Bundesliga standings. Vincent Kompany’s Bayern sit at the top of the table, holding an eight-point buffer over Leipzig, adding extra significance to this looming knockout showdown. With both teams in strong form, their upcoming cup clash is expected to draw massive attention from fans across Germany and beyond.
Elsewhere in the draw, defending champions Stuttgart will travel to Holstein Kiel in what could prove to be a challenging fixture. Stuttgart, who lifted the trophy last season, will be wary of a Kiel side that has shown the ability to trouble top-tier opponents in cup competitions.
Bayer Leverkusen, winners in 2024, will be at home against St Pauli, offering them an opportunity to push further in their pursuit of another title. Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin—one of the remaining second-division side will host Freiburg, hoping that home advantage helps extend their impressive run in the tournament.
The quarter-final matches are set to be played in early February, with clubs now shifting focus to what promises to be a thrilling knockout stage. The road to glory will ultimately lead to Berlin’s historic Olympic Stadium, which is scheduled to host the final in May 2026.
