originally, the dfb-pokal was a competition open to clubs from the top divisions of german football only. this continued after the establishment of the bundesliga in 1963. semi-professional and amateur clubs could only enter the competition from 1974 onwards, when it was enlarged. up until 2008, only the top two divisions of german football, the bundesliga and 2. bundesliga, were fully professional but from 2008, with the establishment of the 3. liga, the third tier also became fully professional.