For fans and members of VfB, the time before kick-off in Berlin will already be a highlight. Numerous events will bring the VfB family together and – depending on individual tastes – provide the ideal way to get in the mood for the final. It all starts on Thursday evening, 22 May. Here’s the schedule (all times CEST):
Thursday 22 May
7 pm, Biergarten Jockel, Podcast: The ‘VfB STR’ podcast will be broadcasting live from the Biergarten Jockel, Ratiborstraße 14c in Berlin from 7 pm. Presenter Riky Palm will be discussing the end of the Bundesliga season as well as the DFB Cup final, and fans and members can watch the live broadcast on site free of charge. Reservations in the beer garden are not possible.
Friday 23 May
12 pm, Fanfest, Breitscheidplatz: It wouldn’t be the DFB Cup final without the Fanfest – and because it’s so popular, it gets under way on Friday afternoon. From midday on Breitscheidplatz there’ll be food and drink, music and various stands from VfB and partners. DJ Phil Torres takes over from 6 pm with a saxophonist on the stage. Entry is free, with a planned finish time of 9 pm.
1 pm, Jewish Museum Berlin, tour: As by far the largest sports club in Baden-Württemberg, VfB is also fulfilling its socio-political responsibility around the final. The VfB fan representatives are offering members and official fan clubs a guided tour of the Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstraße 9-14. Admission is free, the cost of the tour will be covered by VfB. The tour provides insights into Jewish life, recalls the crimes of National Socialism and takes a stand against antisemitism and racism. Registration is required by Tuesday evening, 20 May at the latest, as the number of participants is limited. Register here.
6:30 pm, Biergarten Jockel, Podcast: It’s back to the ‘VfB STR’ podcast as the atmosphere continues to build on the evening of the final. Riky Palm will be joined by SWR reporter Michael Bollenbacher as expert for the live broadcast from the Biergarten Jockel, Ratiborstraße 14c in Berlin. Fans and members can again attend live and for free.
10 pm, ‘Offenes Rössle’, Cannstatter Kurve Berlin clubhouse: VfB’s first official fan club in Berlin has come up with something special. From 10 pm, fans, members and guests are invited to the clubhouse of the Cannstatter Kurve Berlin, Braunschweiger Straße 51 in Berlin.
Saturday 24 May
11 am, Biergarten Jockel, Podcast: In the third and final podcast recording from Berlin, ‘VfB STR’ will be broadcasting live from the Biergarten Jockel nine hours before kick-off. Presenter Riky Palm will have sports journalist Noah Platschko as his guest. The live broadcast is again open to fans and members free of charge.
12 pm, fan meet-up, Cannstatter Kurve Berlin clubhouse: VfB’s first official fan club in the capital is putting on another event. Fans, members and guests are welcome to the fan meet-up at the Cannstatter Kurve Berlin clubhouse, Braunschweiger Straße 51 in Berlin, from 12 noon under the motto ‘Offenes Rössle’. Please note that for capacity reasons, the final will only be shown here for members of the fan club.
12 pm, Fanfest, Breitscheidplatz: It’s going to get loud, atmospheric and white and red at the Fanfest on Breitscheidplatz. The stage programme starts at 12 noon, featuring VfB mascot Fritzle, comedian Fabi Rommel and turns from DJ Phil Torres, ‘Die Fraktion’, ‘Grafenberger’ and ‘Begbieboys’. Interviews with the VfB board, the VfB women’s team and the 1997 DFB Cup winners will also take place on stage. In addition to catering and stands from VfB and partners, there will also be fan quizzes and competitions on site. Admission is free. The Fanfest ends at 5 pm and there will be no live screening of the final.
8 pm, kick-off, beer gardens: With no live screening taking place at the Fanfest, the VfB fan representatives have put together the following list of beer gardens for supporters who don’t have a ticket for the match – booking is recommended: Biergarten Jockel (Ratiborstraße 14c), Golgatha Biergarten im Viktoriapark (Ecke Katzbachstraße/Monumentenstraße), Brauhaus Südstern (Hasenheide 69), Naumanns Biergarten (Wilhelm-Kabus-Str. 36, Haus 10), Schleusenkrug Biergarten im Tiergarten (Müller-Breslau-Straße 14b) and Zollpackhof Augustiner Biergarten (Elisabeth-Abegg-Straße 1).