In the first round the two relegated teams from the 2022–23 Handball-Bundesliga and eight other teams from the 2. Bunesliga joined 12 teams from the 3. Liga and amateur-cup. The teams were split into a north-and south group and face each other. In the third round, the other teams from the Bundesliga joined, expept for the three best-placed teams from the last edition, those joined in the round of 16.[4] The tournament came to an end with a final four in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.[5]
Schedule
The rounds of the 2023–24 competition were scheduled as follows:[2]
Round
Matches
First round
25–26 August 2023
Second round
12–20 September 2023
Third round
3–4 October 2023
Round of 16
12–13 December 2023
Quarterfinals
3–4 February 2024
Final four
13–14 April 2024
Times are UTC+2 (December and February games are UTC+1)
First round
The draw took place on 3 July 2023.[6][7] The games were played on 25 and 26 August 2023.