the dfb-pokal (until 1943 tschammer-pokal ) (english: "german cup") is a german knockout football cup competition held annually by the "deutscher fußball-bund" (dfb) (english: german football association). sixty-four teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the bundesliga and the 2. bundesliga. it is considered the second-most important club title in german football after the bundesliga championship. taking place from august until june, the winner qualifies for the dfl-supercup and the uefa europa league unless the winner already qualifies for the uefa champions league in the bundesliga.