VfL fans can finally make plans: the exact match dates are here. Bochum will play three times on Saturdays in December and twice on Sundays in January.
It will be a hot December for VfL Bochum – with the DFB Cup round of 16 against defending champions VfB Stuttgart and three second division games on Saturday. This was revealed by the exact scheduling of the matches from match days 15 to 19 at the end of January, which the German Football League announced on Wednesday.
The DFB has not yet announced the exact schedule for the round of 16 matches in the DFB Cup on December 2/3. However, as VfB Stuttgart will be playing their Bundesliga match against Hamburger SV on Sunday, November 30 (3:30 p.m.), VfL are likely to host the Europa League club at their home stadium, the Ruhrstadion, on Wednesday, December 3. Otherwise, the Swabians would have to play two matches within three days.
This also fits in with the DFL’s scheduling of the Westphalia derby against Arminia Bielefeld. The emotionally charged match against the newly promoted team, which got off to a flying start but has recently stalled somewhat, and DFB Cup finalists in 2025, will take place on St. Nicholas Day, Saturday, December 6, at 1 p.m. at the Ruhrstadion.
A week later, VfL will be guests at promotion contenders Hannover 96. Thanks in no small part to the positive trend under Uwe Rösler, the Lower Saxony team’s match against VfL is the top game and will therefore also be broadcast on free-to-air TV (RTL/RTLNitro). Kick-off in Hannover is on Saturday, December 13, at 8:30 p.m.
VfL Bochum kicks off 2026 with a home game against Darmstadt
The year will then conclude with a home game against Karlsruher SC. This will take place at the Ruhrstadion at the unpopular lunchtime hour of 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 20. After that, VfL will begin its short winter break.
After the turn of the year, Rösler is likely to quickly ask for a fresh start in 2026. The second half of the season begins in the third week of January with a home game against Darmstadt 98. Kick-off at the Ruhrstadion is on Sunday, January 18, at 1:30 p.m. At the start of the season, the Lilies suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat, which heralded the end of what was ultimately only a short era with head coach Dieter Hecking. The first away game at SV Elversberg (first leg: 2-0) will take place on Sunday, January 25, at 1:30 p.m.
All VfL Bochum fixtures at a glance
The matches in November have already been scheduled for some time. All VfL Bochum matches up to matchday 19 at a glance:
Matchday 12: Braunschweig – Bochum; Sunday, November 9, 1:30 p.m.
Matchday 13: VfL Bochum vs. Dresden; Friday, November 21, 6:30 p.m.
Matchday 14: Fürth vs. VfL Bochum; Saturday, November 29, 1:00 p.m.
DFB Cup, round of 16: VfL Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart; Tue./Wed., December 2/3 (expected to be December 3)
Matchday 15: VfL Bochum vs. Bielefeld; Saturday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. Matchday 16: Hannover – VfL Bochum; Saturday, December 13, 8:30 p.m. Matchday 17: VfL Bochum – Karlsruher SC; Saturday, December 20, 1:00 p.m. Matchday 18: VfL Bochum vs. Darmstadt 98; Sunday, January 18, 1:30 p.m.