The DFB has released the 3. Liga schedule; MSV Duisburg will play three matches outside the main game time on Saturday (2:00 p.m.) and one on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
The DFB has set the exact dates for Matchdays 17 through 21 in the 3rd Division and published them on Wednesday afternoon.
A statement explains the rationale: As usual, the German Football Association’s (DFB) scheduling was preceded by close coordination with security authorities. The guidelines issued by those authorities have a significant influence on the scheduling and are a mandatory criterion for setting the dates. The fixed matchday format with the contractually agreed kickoff times must always be adhered to.
From Matchdays 17 through 21, four out of five Friday evening fixtures result from the authorities’ guidelines—which are binding for the DFB. Of the 15 Sunday games during this scheduling period, twelve are affected by these security requirements.
For MSV, two matches in the first half of the season will kick off on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. On the final matchday before the winter break, the team will travel to Viktoria Köln on Sunday (December 21). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.; this will be the last kickoff of a Third Division match in 2025.
After a four-week winter break, the season resumes with an away game against VfB Stuttgart II. The second half of the season kicks off for MSV on a Sunday (January 18, 2026). This is followed by a home game against Regensburg on a Saturday—though not at 2:00 p.m., but at 4:30 p.m.
Matchdays at a glance:
First Half of the Season
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 2:00 p.m.: FC Energie Cottbus vs. MSV
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2:00 p.m.: MSV vs. FC Erzgebirge Aue
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: FC Viktoria Köln vs. MSV
Second Half of the Season
Sunday, January 18, 2026, 1:30 p.m.: VfB Stuttgart II vs. MSV
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 4:30 p.m.: MSV vs. SSV Jahn Regensburg
Standard kickoff times in the 3rd League
one game on Friday evening (7:00 p.m.)
five games on Saturday (all at 2:00 p.m.)
one game on Saturday afternoon (4:30 p.m.)
three games on Sunday (1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.)