Where will the DFB Cup match between Eintracht Norderstedt and St. Pauli take place?

Where will the DFB Cup match between Eintracht Norderstedt and St. Pauli take place?

On June 15, 2025 the time has finally come: the first round of the DFB Cup is just around the corner and FC St. Pauli will face Eintracht Norderstedt. The highly anticipated match could take place at the Edmund Plambeck Stadium. But there is a big problem here: the back straight has been closed for two years and the need for renovation is clearly noticeable. The situation not only causes fear among club officials, but also raises the question of whether the stadium is even ready for the expected spectators.

There is great excitement surrounding the DFB Cup game, especially because Eintracht Norderstedt was able to qualify for the competition for the first time after winning on penalties in the Hamburg State Cup final. The opposing club's draw took place on Sunday, June 13, 2025 and was broadcast live in the clubhouse. During this event, fans were able to enjoy snacks and toast the game. But the joy is marred by the worrying security problems at the stadium, which have resulted in only 2,000 spectators being allowed to attend the game instead of the permitted 5,000.

Stadium problems overshadow anticipation

All of Eintracht Norderstedt's previous DFB Cup games have taken place at the Edmund Plambeck Stadium, but the current situation looks anything but rosy. According to a report from Millernton, repairs to the severely dilapidated backstretch will not be completed until August. At the same time, those responsible must quickly find a solution to make the stadium at least partially usable. Finn Spitzer, managing director of Eintracht Norderstedt, expressed concern about the uncertainty about where exactly the game will take place. Security issues could even mean that the required television cameras cannot be installed, which would affect the game's appeal.

About a year and a half ago, the city of Norderstedt pledged 200,000 euros for the renovation of the stadium; but little has happened since then. The pressure from the club and the fans is growing. “It is very important to us to have an attractive opponent like St. Pauli in the DFB Cup, but we also need a clear perspective for our stadium,” Spitzer continued. In addition, renting another stadium could entail high costs, which would represent a financial loss for the club.

Alternatives in view

Among the possible alternatives for the venue, the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, the Holstein Kiel stadium and the square in Lübeck are under discussion. Ideally, Eintracht Norderstedt would work towards a solution that would allow a partial opening of its own stadium, but the city must act quickly to achieve this. The DFB has also made it clear that an exchange of home rights is normally only permitted in cases where pitches are unplayable.

The first rounds of the DFB Cup take place between August 15th and 18th, so the time pressure falls on the shoulders of those responsible. An exchange of home rights therefore seems extremely unlikely unless the situation in the stadium deteriorates further. The financial advantage that the club gained through the fixed bonus of 210,000 euros for the DFB Cup qualification could quickly be used up again by paying the rent for another stadium.

So the question remains: Where will the DFB Cup game between FC St. Pauli and Eintracht Norderstedt ultimately be played? The next few weeks will be crucial. In the meantime, everyone involved is hoping for a positive decision and a quick solution to the stadium problem, so that the game is not only a sporting highlight, but also a celebration for the fans.

For more information, follow reports from Millernton, NDR and The wrong 9.