NM Cupen (Norway) 2027/28

NM Cupen serves as the principal knockout tournament in Norwegian football, operating alongside the league structure rather than within it. While the Eliteserien represents the top tier and the OBOS-ligaen the second, this competition encompasses clubs from the 3rd tier, including Fram, Flint, Gneist, Union Carl Berner, Bossekop, and Varhaug. The format is strictly a single-elimination contest without group stages, featuring qualifying rounds for lower-tier participants before higher-ranked teams enter the main draw.

Established in 1902, the tournament holds historical significance as the first major sporting event in Norway. It began as an invitation-only affair for county champions before expanding to all NFF member clubs in 1917. The final match has been contested at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo since 1948, a tradition interrupted only by the suspension of play during the Second World War from 1940 to 1945. Expansion to Northern Norway occurred in 1963, solidifying its national scope. The victor receives the King's Cup and is officially designated the Norwegian Football Champion, a title historically distinct from the league champion. This distinction allows the cup winner to qualify for European competition via the UEFA Europa League or Conference League, regardless of their league position or potential relegation.

Recent reforms have adjusted player entry points to manage fixture congestion, moving top-flight teams into the Third Round for the 2025–26 season. The calendar traditionally runs from spring to autumn, though a shift to an autumn-spring model was planned for the same period. Matches concluding in a draw after 90 minutes proceed to extra time and penalties, following the abolition of replays in 1995. Fredrikstad, Odd, and Rosenborg share the record for most titles with 12 each, while the current reigning champions are Fredrikstad, having defeated Molde in 2024.