^SC 07 Bad Neuenahr II and FF USV Jena II as winners of divisions South-west and North-east may not compete in the cup.
^1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig II won the cup but is not allowed to enter DFB Cup
^Borussia Mönchengladbach won the cup, but is qualified as a team that achieved promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.
^SC 07 Bad Neuenahr II won the cup but is not allowed to enter DFB Cup
^VfL Sindelfingen II won the cup but is not allowed to enter DFB Cup
^ETSV Würzburg won the cup but is qualified as a team that achieved promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.
Results
Round 1
The draw for the first round was held on 14 July 2011. The nine best clubs of the previous Bundesliga season, 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, 1. FFC Frankfurt, FCR 2001 Duisburg, Hamburger SV, FC Bayern München, SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, VfL Wolfsburg, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and SG Essen-Schönebeck were awarded byes for the first round.[1] Starting times were terminated on 25 July 2011.[2] The three Bundesliga clubs moved on.[3]
1.^ The match Jahn Calden vs Leipzig was abandoned in the 69th minute due to bad weather. Leipzig was leading 1–0.[5] It was replayed on 17 September 2011.[6]
Round of 16
The draw for the round of 16 was held on 17 September 2011.[6] The matches were played on 30 October 2011.[7]
30 October 2011
1. FC Lok. Leipzig
6–1
FV Löchgau
1. FFC Frankfurt
1–0
VfL Wolfsburg
Hamburger SV
2–0
SC Freiburg
Turbine Potsdam
4–1
VfL Sindelfingen
FC Bayern München
2–0 a.e.t.
FF USV Jena
SC 07 Bad Neuenahr
3–1
1899 Hoffenheim
FSV Gütersloh 2009
2–1 a.e.t.
Werder Bremen
FCR 2001 Duisburg
10–0
Herforder SV
Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals were held on 3 and 4 December 2011. FSV Gütersloh 2009 was the sole remaining second league team.[8] The matches were played on 3 and 4 December 2011.[9]
3 December 2011
Hamburger SV
3–2
1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig
4 December 2011
1. FFC Frankfurt
5–1
1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
SC 07 Bad Neuenahr
0–0 (5–6 pen)
FC Bayern München
FSV Gütersloh 2009
0–7
FCR 2001 Duisburg
Semifinals
The semifinals were drawn on 21 December 2011.[10] And dated on 15 February 2012.[11]