Austria’s top football clubs have been drawn into the first round of the 2024/25 ÖFB-Cup, with Bundesliga sides including Red Bull Salzburg, SC Rheindorf Altach, and Sturm Graz set to face regional opponents in what promises to be a competitive opening stage. The draw, conducted by the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), pairs Bundesliga teams with lower-division clubs in a format designed to inject drama into the country’s domestic cup competition. Matches are scheduled to begin in late July, with winners progressing to the second round.
According to the ÖFB’s official announcement, Sturm Graz will host SV Seekirchen, a club from the Austrian Regional League, in a fixture that could set the tone for Graz’s cup campaign. Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg, the reigning Bundesliga champions, will face SV Oberwart, a team from the Burgenland region. The draw also included SC Rheindorf Altach, the 2023/24 ÖFB-Cup finalists, who will take on SK Leobendorf, a club from the Lower Austria league.
The ÖFB-Cup is Austria’s premier domestic cup competition, with the winner earning a spot in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. For Bundesliga teams, the cup also serves as a secondary competition to the league, offering additional opportunities to test squad depth and develop young talent. With matches set to kick off in late July, fans can expect a mix of high-stakes fixtures and underdog stories as the competition unfolds.
Key Fixtures in the First Round: Who’s Playing Who?
The ÖFB-Cup first round features a mix of Bundesliga heavyweights and regional clubs, creating a blend of competitive football and potential upsets. Here are the confirmed matchups:
- Sturm Graz vs. SV Seekirchen: Sturm Graz, a consistent Bundesliga performer, will host Seekirchen, a team from the Austrian Regional League. The match could serve as a warm-up for Graz ahead of the league season.
- Red Bull Salzburg vs. SV Oberwart: The reigning Bundesliga champions face Oberwart, a club with a strong regional following. Salzburg’s depth squad will likely feature prominently in this fixture.
- SC Rheindorf Altach vs. SK Leobendorf: Altach, the 2023/24 ÖFB-Cup finalists, will look to build momentum for their league campaign by defeating Leobendorf, a team from the Lower Austria league.
Additional matchups include Wolfsberger AC vs. SK Kapfenberg, Admira Wacker Mödling vs. SC Neusiedl am See, and SK Rapid Wien vs. SV Hochdorf, among others. The full draw list can be found on the ÖFB’s official website.
What’s at Stake for Bundesliga Teams in the ÖFB-Cup?
For Bundesliga clubs, the ÖFB-Cup offers a secondary competition that can provide valuable minutes for young players and depth squad members. The winner of the ÖFB-Cup secures a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League, adding an extra layer of prestige. Additionally, the cup can serve as a morale booster or a wake-up call, depending on how teams perform.
Last season, SC Rheindorf Altach reached the final, where they were defeated by Wolfsberger AC. This year, Altach will look to bounce back from that heartbreak, while other Bundesliga teams will aim to avoid early exits in the competition.
According to Fußball.at, the ÖFB-Cup has historically been a platform for underdog stories, with lower-division clubs occasionally causing upsets against Bundesliga opponents. For example, in the 2022/23 season, SK Kapfenberg advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to SK Rapid Wien.
When Do Matches Begin, and How Can Fans Follow?
The first round of the ÖFB-Cup is scheduled to begin in late July, with matches spread across the country. The exact dates for each fixture will be confirmed by the ÖFB in the coming weeks. Fans can follow updates through official channels, including:
- The ÖFB’s official website for draw updates and match schedules.
- Club-specific social media pages for pre-match analysis and live commentary.
- Broadcast partners such as Sky Sport Austria, which will air select matches.
For those unable to attend matches in person, live streaming options may be available through the clubs’ official platforms or pay-TV providers. The ÖFB has yet to announce a comprehensive streaming strategy, but fans are advised to monitor their preferred broadcasters for updates.
Why the ÖFB-Cup Matters Beyond Austria’s Borders
The ÖFB-Cup is not just a domestic competition; it also serves as a pathway to European football. The winner earns a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League, providing an opportunity for Austrian clubs to compete on the continental stage. In recent years, teams like SK Rapid Wien and Wolfsberger AC have used the cup as a springboard to qualify for European competitions.
Additionally, the ÖFB-Cup has become a testing ground for young talent. Many Bundesliga clubs use the competition to integrate reserve players or loan signings into the first team, offering them valuable match experience. For example, Red Bull Salzburg often uses the cup to develop players from their academy, such as Patrick Schobesberger, who made his professional debut in the ÖFB-Cup before becoming a key player for the club.
What Happens Next: Key Dates and Upcoming Draws
The first round of the ÖFB-Cup is set to begin in late July, with matches played over the course of a few weeks. The exact schedule will be finalized by the ÖFB in the coming days. Winners will advance to the second round, where they will face other surviving teams in a single-elimination format.
The second round draw is expected to be held in early August, with matches scheduled for late August or early September. The competition will continue through the fall, culminating in the final, which is typically held in May of the following year.
Fans can stay updated on match schedules and results through the ÖFB’s official website or by following the clubs on social media. For those interested in live coverage, Sky Sport Austria and other broadcasters will provide updates as the competition progresses.
As the ÖFB-Cup enters its first round, the stage is set for a mix of high-stakes football and underdog stories. Whether it’s Sturm Graz’s quest for redemption or Red Bull Salzburg’s search for depth, the competition promises to deliver excitement for fans across Austria. With matches set to begin in late July, now is the time to mark your calendars and prepare for what could be a thrilling cup campaign.
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