[2] Hertha BSC's second team, playing in the third division, made it to the final against Bayer Leverkusen, making it the first and only time a reserve side has made it to the final, as second teams have since been disallowed from entering the competition.

The DFB-Pokal began with 83 teams in a single-elimination knockout cup competition.

Teams were drawn against each other, and the winner after 90 minutes would advance.

If still tied, 30 minutes of extra time was played.

If the score was still level, a penalty shoot-out was used to determine the winner.