Copa del Rey (Spain) 2026/27

Copa del Rey traces its origins to 1903, established by King Alfonso XIII. It stands as the oldest national football competition in Spain. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) organises the tournament. It operates parallel to the league system and the Super Cup.

The field comprises roughly 126 clubs. All twenty top-flight teams enter alongside non-reserve sides from the second tier. Qualifiers arrive from the Primera Federación, Segunda Federación, Tercera Federación, and regional leagues. Reserve teams are excluded from participation.

Early stages follow a single-leg knockout format. Lower-division sides are seeded to play at home. The quarter-finals remain single-legged. The semi-finals shift to two legs. The final takes place at a neutral venue, usually in Seville. A 2019 reform maintained this structure for preliminary rounds to benefit lower-league hosts.

Victory carries significant sporting weight. The champion earns a place in the UEFA Europa League. They also qualify for the Supercopa de España. No promotion or relegation occurs within the cup itself.

Historical context adds depth. Several name changes reflect political shifts. The title ran as Copa de Su Majestad el Rey under the monarchy. It became Copa del Presidente de la República during the Second Republic. The Franco era saw it renamed Copa del Generalísimo. It returned to its current title in 1977.

FC Barcelona leads the all-time list with 32 victories. Athletic Bilbao follows with 24. Real Madrid has won 20 times. Real Sociedad claimed the trophy in the 2025–26 season, though Barcelona won the previous final. The inclusion of smaller clubs creates opportunities for upsets against elite opposition, a feature absent in the league and Super Cup.