UNIQA ÖFB Cup 2026/27: Full First-Round Matchups Revealed!

The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has officially confirmed the first-round matchups for the 2026/27 UNIQA ÖFB Cup, with the draw taking place on June 22, 2026, marking the start of the competition’s new season. The 32 pairings—spanning Bundesliga, 2. Liga, and regional league teams—were announced by the ÖFB, setting the stage for the tournament’s opening fixtures.

According to the ÖFB’s official statement, the draw was conducted in line with the competition’s traditional format, ensuring no top-flight clubs face each other in the first round. Bundesliga sides such as Red Bull Salzburg, Austria Wien, and Rapid Wien will enter in the second round, while lower-tier teams—including SV Horn, SV Ried, and SKU Amstetten—will kick off the campaign in Round 1. The full list of pairings was published on oefb.at, with fixtures scheduled between July 15 and July 22, 2026.

Sky Sport Austria and Ligaportal reported that the draw included several high-profile regional clashes, such as SK Vorwärts Steyr’s potential showdown with a 2. Liga opponent, while Kronen Zeitung highlighted that Red Bull Salzburg’s first-round bye will see them enter in the second round, where they could face a team from the top flight. The ÖFB emphasized that all matches will be played in a single-elimination format, with winners advancing to the knockout stages.

Why does the ÖFB Cup draw matter for Austrian football?

The UNIQA ÖFB Cup is Austria’s premier domestic cup competition, with the winner earning a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers. For lower-tier teams, the tournament provides a pathway to European football, while top-flight clubs use it as a preparation tool ahead of league campaigns. This year’s draw is particularly notable because it follows the ÖFB’s decision to expand the competition to 64 teams in future seasons, increasing the number of matches and potential storylines.

According to Ligaportal, the first-round fixtures will feature 16 pairings, with the remaining 16 teams receiving byes. The ÖFB’s official schedule confirms that all matches will be played in a home-and-away format, with the higher-ranked team hosting the second leg. This structure ensures that even lower-league sides have a realistic chance to progress, aligning with the competition’s inclusive philosophy.

How do the matchups compare to previous seasons?

Unlike past editions where top-flight clubs often entered in the first round, this year’s draw follows a more traditional approach, with Bundesliga teams entering later. In the 2025/26 season, for example, Rapid Wien and Austria Wien both competed in Round 1, leading to early high-stakes encounters. By contrast, the 2026/27 draw prioritizes balance, ensuring that lower-tier teams have a meaningful opening act.

Sky Sport Austria noted that the ÖFB’s decision to delay top-flight entries until the second round may reduce early-season fatigue for Bundesliga clubs, allowing them to focus on league preparations. However, it also means that lower-league teams will have a clearer path to potential upsets, as seen in past seasons where regional sides such as SV Horn and SKU Amstetten have advanced deep into the competition.

What happens next in the ÖFB Cup?

The first-round matches are set to begin on July 15, 2026, with all fixtures concluding by July 22. Winners will advance to the second round, where they will face Bundesliga teams, including Red Bull Salzburg, who enter the competition at this stage. The ÖFB has not yet confirmed the exact dates for the knockout stages, but the schedule typically aligns with the Bundesliga’s winter break.

According to the ÖFB’s official timeline, the final is expected to take place in late April or early May 2027, coinciding with the end of the league season. The venue for the final has not been announced, but past editions have been held at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna or the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.

Key takeaways for fans and teams

For fans of Austrian football, the ÖFB Cup draw signals the start of an exciting domestic campaign, with opportunities for underdog stories and high-profile encounters in later rounds. Teams such as Red Bull Salzburg, who will enter in the second round, will use the competition as a platform to test new talent and prepare for European challenges. Meanwhile, lower-league sides will see the cup as a chance to make a statement on the national stage.

The ÖFB’s decision to structure the draw in this manner—prioritizing balance and inclusivity—reflects a broader trend in European football, where domestic cups are increasingly valued for their ability to provide pathways for smaller clubs. As the competition progresses, fans can expect a mix of tactical battles, last-gasp winners, and potential surprises from teams outside the top flight.