The women’s football department of VfB Stuttgart has only existed since 2021 and is still in its infancy compared to many other clubs in the league. For the 2022/23 season, the club took over the playing rights of VfB Obertürkheim in the fourth-tier Oberliga, subsequently making a rapid ascent to the top flight. After narrowly missing promotion by finishing in second place in their first year, VfB finished every subsequent season in first place and are now in their first Bundesliga season.

This journey is not unlike that of Union's, alongside whom Sunday's hosts can also boast of having been recent 2. Liga champions. While Union collected 62 points in their promotion season, VfB needed only 58 last season to claim the title. The club shone up front with 81 goals, ten more than Union, although they conceded 16 goals fewer in their promotion year. The women of VfB Stuttgart played for the first time in the MHP Arena in March 2026, setting a new 2. Liga record with 31,736 spectators against the later fellow promoted side, 1. FSV Mainz 05.

VfB reinforced their squad adding some experienced players like Greta Stegemann (SC Freiburg), Julia Mickenhagen (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), and Adriana Achcińska (1. FC Köln), who have evidently acclimatized quickly. In the DFB Pokal, however, Stuttgart had to sweat it out last weekend. 2-0 down to Turbine Potsdam until the 85th minute, a red card for the hosts turned the tide. With two late goals — the equaliser came in the fifth minute of stoppage time — Stuttgart managed to reach extra time, where they ultimately scored to make it 3-2. This marked the first time in the club's history that VfB have advanced to the round of 16, where they will host SGS Essen.

Union's coaching team will have to do without the services of Anna Aehling, Cara Bösl, Hannah Eurlings, Lisa Heiseler, Korina Janež, Ida Heikkinen, Mariann Noack, Nelly Smolarczyk, and Tanja Pawollek on Sunday.

“We know that we are facing an intense challenge in Stuttgart. It will be important to be present from the first minute and to bring our strengths to the field. We are looking forward to the game and want to fight for the next points with conviction and a lot of energy.”

The stadium opens at 14:30. The ticket allows travel on all VVS transport (2nd class) starting seven hours before the event, as well as return travel until the end of operations.