FA Cup (China) 2026/27

The Chinese FA Cup is the primary national knockout football competition in China, organized by the Chinese Football Association. It sits at the top of the pyramid of domestic cup competitions, distinct from the league system. The tournament was originally founded in 1956 as the Chinese National Football Championship before being reorganized and first officially named as such in 1984. The current professional format, integrating professional and amateur tiers, began in 1995 following the establishment of the Chinese Jia-A League. The format is a knockout tournament open to teams from all levels of Chinese football, with participation typically ranging from 64 to 80 teams. The structure includes a qualifying round for amateur and lower-league teams, followed by knockout rounds. China League Two teams enter in the First Round, China League One teams in the Second Round, and Chinese Super League teams in the Third Round. The final stages, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, are single-leg matches played at neutral venues. Historically, the final was played over two legs, but since 2020, it has been a single match. The 2026 format is confirmed as single-leg for all rounds. There is no direct promotion or relegation linked to the FA Cup. Relegation and promotion are determined solely by the Chinese Super League and China League One standings. However, the FA Cup winner qualifies for the AFC Champions League Two. If the winner has already qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot passes to the next highest-placed CSL team. Shandong Taishan is the most successful club in the competition's history with 8 titles. Notable features include the potential for upsets where amateur or lower-league teams defeat top-tier clubs, a phenomenon the CFA encourages with "dark horse" awards. This openness to non-professional teams distinguishes it from the closed, professional-only Chinese Super League.

Key Features: National knockout format, open to all tiers, winner qualifies for AFC Champions League Two.