Rhein-Neckar Löwen to Face SV Salamander Kornwestheim in DHB-Pokal First Round

The Rhein-Neckar Löwen will open their 2026/27 DHB-Pokal campaign with an away match against third-division side SV Salamander Kornwestheim. The German Handball Federation (DHB) confirmed the pairing following the official draw, which took place as part of the preparations for the upcoming domestic season. The match is scheduled to take place between August 21 and August 23, 2026.

How the DHB-Pokal Draw Process Works

The first-round matchups were determined by a draw featuring 42 participating clubs. According to the German Handball Federation (DHB), the competition structure for the 2026/27 season includes 14 third-division teams, 18 second-division clubs, and ten top-flight teams ranked 8th through 18th in the previous Bundesliga standings. Lena Rüffieux, captain of the German women’s championship side HSG Blomberg-Lippe, performed the draw, selecting “die Lurchis” of Kornwestheim shortly before pairing them with the Mannheim-based Löwen.

Updated Competition Format for 2026/27

The DHB-Pokal has introduced a revised format for the 2026/27 season to streamline the path to the final. Under the new regulations, top-tier teams that finished higher in the previous Bundesliga season receive a bye, entering the tournament in the second round. The three best-performing teams from the previous year’s cup competition receive automatic entry into the round of 16. This tiered entry system is designed to balance the workload for clubs competing in international European competitions while maintaining the traditional “David vs. Goliath” nature of the early rounds.

Key Dates for the 2026/27 DHB-Pokal

Following the first-round fixtures in late August, the tournament progresses through the autumn and winter months, culminating in the final event in the spring. The schedule, as provided by the Handball-Bundesliga, is as follows:

• First Round: August 21–23, 2026
• Second Round: September 22–24, 2026
• Round of 16: November 11–12, 2026
• Quarterfinals: December 16–17, 2026
• Lidl Final4: April 10–11, 2027

What Happens Next for the Rhein-Neckar Löwen

The trip to Kornwestheim serves as the official start to the competitive season for the Lions. Immediately following the cup opener, the focus shifts to league play. The Rhein-Neckar Löwen are set to begin their Bundesliga season one week later with an away match against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf. This back-to-back schedule of away fixtures requires the team to manage travel and recovery time early in the campaign, as they look to improve upon their domestic standing from the previous year.

Tournament Quick Facts