Jena, 06.05.2026. Planning for the sporting highlight of Thuringian club football is complete. On Saturday, May 23, Regionalliga side FC Carl Zeiss Jena and league rivals ZFC Meuselwitz will meet in the final of the Thüringenpokal. It is now confirmed: The ball will roll at Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld starting at 11:30 AM.
- Match: FC Carl Zeiss Jena vs. ZFC Meuselwitz
- When: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:30 AM
- Where: ad hoc arena at Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, Jena
- TV Broadcast: Live on Das Erste (ARD) as part of the conference (11:20 AM to 6:55 PM)
- Tickets: Available since May 5 (12:00 PM) in the elf5 online ticket shop
Part of the “Finaltag der Amateure”
With the early kick-off time of 11:30 AM, the Thuringian final joins the first broadcast window of the nationwide “Finaltag der Amateure”. In this TV format, the finals of the state cups are traditionally held on the same day and broadcast in a large live conference on the program of Das Erste. The broadcast begins as early as 11:20 AM and accompanies viewers through various stadiums across the republic until the early evening at 6:55 PM.
Entry into the DFB-Pokal beckons
For both clubs, much more than just the prestigious state-level title is at stake on this day. The winner of the Thüringenpokal automatically qualifies for the first main round of the DFB-Pokal in the 2026/2027 season. This not only guarantees lucrative income from the central marketing pools of the German Football Association (DFB) but also offers the chance for a home match against a first or second-division team.
Ticket sales for the final have already begun. Supporters of both teams have been able to secure their tickets for the final in the elf5 online ticket shop since Tuesday, May 5.
The Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, idyllically located on the edge of Jena’s Paradiespark, is the traditional home ground of FC Carl Zeiss Jena. Following extensive renovation measures in recent years, the area has been transformed into a modern, football-only stadium that meets current requirements for safety, comfort, and media infrastructure. With the removal of the athletics facility, the spectator stands have moved significantly closer to the pitch, ensuring a dense atmosphere, especially during derbies and cup matches.
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Kick-off time for Thüringenpokal final set
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.