The 2022–23 Verbandspokal (English: 2022–23 Association Cup) consisted of twenty-one regional cup competitions, the Verbandspokale, the qualifying competition for the 2023–24 DFB-Pokal, the German Cup.[1]
All clubs from the 3. Liga and below could enter the regional Verbandspokale, subject to the rules and regulations of each region. Clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga do not enter but were instead directly qualified for the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Reserve teams were not permitted to take part in the DFB-Pokal or the Verbandspokale. The precise rules of each regional Verbandspokal were laid down by the regional football association organising it.[2][3]
All twenty-one winners qualified for the first round of the German Cup in the following season. Three additional clubs also qualified for the first round of the German Cup, these being from the three largest state associations, Bavaria, Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The Lower Saxony Cup was split into two paths, one for teams from the 3. Liga and the Regionalliga Nord and one for the teams from lower leagues. The winners of both paths qualified for the DFB-Pokal. In Bavaria the best-placed non-reserve Regionalliga Bayern team qualified for the DFB-Pokal while in Westphalia the spot alternated between the Oberliga Westfalen champion and best-placed Westphalian team from the Regionalliga West. This year, the Regionalliga West champion qualified.[1][4]
The finals of the Verbandspokal competitions was played on the Amateurs' Final Day (German: Finaltag der Amateure), on 3 June 2023.[5]
^As one of the three largest regional associations, Bavaria gets an additional DFB-Pokal berth, which goes to the best non-reserve team of the Regionalliga Bayern.[6]
^As one of the three largest regional associations, Lower Saxony gets an additional DFB-Pokal berth, which goes to the winner of the second cup path.[7]
^As one of the three largest regional associations, Westphalia gets an additional DFB-Pokal berth, which will alternate between the Oberliga Westfalen champion and best-placed Westphalian team from the Regionalliga West. This year, the Regionalliga West champion qualifies.[4]
