League Cup (Peru) 2026/27

Copa de la Liga serves as the primary professional domestic cup competition in Peruvian football. Established by the Liga de Fútbol Profesional and the Peruvian Football Federation, the tournament was created to replace the defunct Copa Bicentenario. Its inaugural season is scheduled for 2026, following the cancellation of the planned 2025 edition.

The competition unites 34 teams from the top two divisions: all 18 clubs from Liga 1 and 16 from Liga 2. The structure begins with a group stage comprising eight groups, leading into a knockout phase that runs from the Round of 16 to the Final. This format distinguishes it from traditional knockout-only cups.

Unlike its predecessor, which offered qualification for the Copa Sudamericana, the current iteration provides significantly more valuable rewards. The winner qualifies for the Supercopa Peruana and receives two bonus points for the subsequent Liga 1 season. Furthermore, there are strong indications that the champion will secure direct entry into the Copa Libertadores group stage, a distinction that elevates the tournament's prestige among professional clubs.

It is important to distinguish this competition from the Copa Perú, a separate entity often confused due to similar naming conventions. While the Copa de la Liga involves established professional sides, the Copa Perú functions as a nationwide promotion pyramid. Founded in 1967, it serves as the fourth tier of the football system, featuring thousands of amateur and semi-professional teams progressing through district, provincial, and departmental stages. The winner of that tournament gains promotion to Liga 2, while the runner-up moves to Liga 3. The Copa de la Liga remains strictly a professional knockout tournament for the elite divisions.

The participating clubs for the upcoming season include Deportiva Agropecuaria, ADT, Juan Pablo II College, Academia Cantolao, UTC, and Estudiantil CNI. These teams represent a mix of established Liga 1 sides and ambitious Liga 2 contenders seeking silverware and continental qualification opportunities.