The 2008–09 DFB-Pokal was the 66th season of the annual German football cup competition. The competition began with the first round on 7 August 2008, and ended with Werder Bremen defeating Bayer Leverkusen, who for their part eliminated defending champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, in the final at the Olympiastadion, Berlin on 30 May 2009. The winners of the 2008–09 DFB-Pokal would qualify to the fourth qualifying round of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League. Due to a decision made in 2006, reserve teams from professional clubs are no longer allowed to compete.