On May 23, 2026, the men's national cup finals will take place throughout Germany - the amateur final day, live on ARD. This year, for the first time, the biggest event in amateur soccer will also be the biggest stage for an issue that affects society as a whole: in Germany, around 65,000 people die of sudden cardiac death every year. Many of them could be saved if first aiders were to start chest compressions immediately. This is exactly where the "HERZSICHER" initiative of the Björn Steiger Foundation and the German Heart Foundation comes in - and this is precisely why the German Football Association, all regional associations and the two foundations are jointly organizing the final day of the amateurs under the motto of resuscitation.
"We know that cardiac arrests can happen suddenly on our sports fields, just like anywhere else - and that every second counts in these moments," says Ronny Zimmermann, 1st DFB Vice President for Amateurs and Regional and State Associations, speaking on behalf of all 21 state associations. "As state associations, we are responsible for over 24,000 clubs and millions of volunteers, players and fans. The Amateurs' Final Day is the perfect stage to spread the word about this life-saving topic. Soccer is the strongest link in our society - and if we can use our reach to help more people act correctly in an emergency, then that is one of the most meaningful tasks we can take on."
The DFB and the two foundations had already successfully launched their collaboration at the 2025 DFB Cup Final. Now this partnership is being taken to a new level: instead of a single match at one location, the message of "HERZSICHER" will be brought to life in up to 21 stadiums across Germany on 23 May - broadcast live on the ARD conference and thus effective far beyond the stadium stands. In all stadiums, a joint stadium campaign immediately before kick-off will sensitize the public nationwide to the importance of acting quickly in the event of a cardiac arrest. In addition, information stands in some final stadiums will provide brief introductions to cardiac massage and show how easy it is to use training defibrillators.
Pierre-Enric Steiger, President of the Björn Steiger Foundation, expresses his thanks to the partners: "We are deeply grateful to the DFB and all the regional associations for joining this cause with such conviction and energy. Without this breadth of support, so many people would not be reached. The fact that the whole of German soccer is using its unique strength to make Germany more heart-safe gives our initiative a visibility that we could never have achieved on our own."
At the center of all activities on the final day is the platform herzsicher.de - because the day at the stadium is just the beginning. Anyone can use the platform to book a free training course in cardiac massage: in their own club, at work or in a private setting. A training course can be held for as few as eight people, with the location, date and time being determined by the participants themselves. "HERZSICHER" goes to the people - not the other way around. This makes the initiative one of the lowest-threshold training courses for cardiac massage in Germany.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Voigtländer, Chairman of the Board of the German Heart Foundation, puts this into perspective: "Only in around 55% of cases do first aiders in Germany start chest compressions before the emergency services arrive. The solution is very simple: Check. Call. Push. If more people had the courage and knowledge to act immediately, thousands of lives could be saved every year. The fact that the DFB and all the national associations are using their enormous reach to spread precisely this message is invaluable to us. This partnership has the potential to make a lasting change to the rate of amateur resuscitation in Germany."
On May 23, 2026, soccer fans across Germany will not only cheer on their teams - they will experience how easy it is to save a life. It's an invitation to everyone: join in, learn CPR and become part of a movement that really matters.
