[{"id":700,"name":"Copa del Rey","gender":"male","type":"club","format":"domestic_cup","createdAt":"2024-11-05T08:58:23.978Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-16T22:30:53.755Z","stb_id":"copa-del-rey","position":null,"locale":"en","description":"# Copa del Rey: Spain's Prestigious Knockout Tournament\n\n## Introduction\n\nThe **Copa del Rey** is Spain's premier knockout football cup competition and the oldest tournament in Spanish football. Officially titled \"Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey\" (Championship of Spain–His Majesty the King's Cup), it represents the highest level of cup competition in the Spanish football system. The Copa del Rey football tournament stands as a cornerstone of Spanish sporting culture, attracting millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. With its rich history and tradition of dramatic matches, the Copa del Rey statistics demonstrate its enduring appeal in the football world, often producing unexpected results and memorable encounters between teams from different tiers of Spanish football.\n\n## History\n\nThe Copa del Rey was **established in 1903**, predating La Liga (Spain's top-flight league) by 25 years. The competition was initially created to determine Spain's national football champion before the establishment of a league system. Throughout its existence, the tournament's name has reflected Spain's political landscape, being renamed the \"Copa del Presidente de la República\" during the Second Spanish Republic (1932-1936) and \"Copa del Generalísimo\" during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1976), before reverting to its current name after the restoration of the monarchy in 1976.\n\nThe Copa del Rey creation coincided with Spain's growing interest in football at the turn of the 20th century. Its development has seen numerous format changes, transitioning from a simple knockout competition among a handful of clubs to today's extensive tournament involving teams from multiple divisions. The Copa del Rey history has been graced by legendary Spanish footballers including Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stéfano, László Kubala, and in more recent times, stars like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom have left their mark on this prestigious competition.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe Copa del Rey format operates as a **single-elimination knockout tournament** that brings together clubs from various levels of Spanish football, including La Liga (first division), Segunda División (second division), and lower regional leagues. Following significant reforms implemented in the 2019-20 season, the Copa del Rey rules now stipulate that most matches are decided in single-leg ties, with lower-division clubs typically hosting games against higher-tier opponents, adding to the potential for surprising upsets.\n\nOnly the semi-finals maintain a two-legged format, while the final is contested at a predetermined neutral venue, currently the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Copa del Rey tournament awards the winner not only the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the UEFA Europa League (unless already qualified through league position) and a place in the Supercopa de España alongside the Copa runner-up and the top two La Liga finishers.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nThree clubs have dominated the Copa del Rey teams landscape throughout its history. **FC Barcelona** stands as the most successful club with 32 titles, their most recent triumph coming in 2025. The Catalan giants have particularly excelled in the competition during recent decades, cementing their status as Copa del Rey winners with remarkable consistency.\n\n**Athletic Bilbao** holds a special place in Copa del Rey clubs history with 24 titles, including their victory in the 2024 edition. The Basque side maintains a unique policy of fielding only players of Basque origin or formation, making their success in this national competition particularly noteworthy.\n\n**Real Madrid** completes the triumvirate of most successful teams with 20 titles. The historical rivalry between \"Barcelona\" and \"Real Madrid\" has produced some of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals, with these \"El Clásico\" encounters generating intense interest beyond Spain's borders.\n\nOther significant clubs in the competition's history include \"Atlético Madrid\", \"Valencia\", and \"Zaragoza\", each having secured multiple titles and contributed to the rich tapestry of Copa del Rey history.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nThe Copa del Rey records are largely dominated by Barcelona's achievements, with their 32 championships standing as the benchmark for success. Athletic Bilbao's 24 titles place them second in the all-time list, a remarkable achievement considering they haven't always competed in the top tier of Spanish football.\n\nIn terms of individual Copa del Rey statistics, Lionel Messi holds numerous records from his time at Barcelona, including most finals scored in and most goals in the competition by a single player in the modern era. The tournament has witnessed incredible scoring feats, dramatic comebacks, and exceptional performances that have entered Spanish football folklore.\n\nOne notable Copa del Rey players record belongs to goalkeeper José Ramón Esnaola of \"Real Betis\", who remarkably scored the equalizing goal in the 1977 final against \"Athletic Bilbao\" before his team went on to win in the penalty shootout—an extremely rare occurrence for a goalkeeper.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe Copa del Rey season typically runs alongside the league campaign, commencing in the early autumn and concluding with the final in spring. The current format involves over 120 teams from across the Spanish football pyramid, making it one of the most inclusive national cup competitions in Europe.\n\nToday, the Copa del Rey maintains its prestige as a coveted trophy in Spanish football, with clubs from La Liga dominating the latter stages but occasionally facing stern challenges from lower-division sides. The competition receives extensive media coverage throughout Spain and has growing international viewership, particularly during the later rounds when the country's football powerhouses clash.\n\nThe Copa del Rey overview in recent years shows a competition that continues to evolve while preserving its historical significance. The tournament's current format, with its emphasis on giving smaller clubs home advantage against top-tier opponents, has reinvigorated interest and created more opportunities for memorable upsets.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nThe Copa del Rey interesting history includes the fact that the trophy has undergone 12 different designs throughout its existence. According to competition rules, clubs can permanently keep a trophy if they win three consecutive titles or five titles in total, leading to multiple versions of the cup being created over the decades.\n\nOne of the most surprising Copa del Rey facts involves \"Real Madrid Castilla\" (Real Madrid's reserve team), which remarkably reached the final in 1980, ultimately losing to their senior team. Reserve teams were permitted to participate until the 1990-91 season.\n\nThe Copa del Rey stories of unexpected victories by underdogs have become legendary in Spanish football. Perhaps the most famous upset occurred in 2002 when \"Deportivo La Coruña\" overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against \"Real Madrid\" to win 5-4 on aggregate in what became known as the \"Centenariazo\" (ruining Real Madrid's centenary celebrations).\n\nAnother Copa del Rey interesting tradition is the presentation of the trophy by the Spanish monarch, underscoring the competition's royal connection and prestigious standing in Spanish sporting culture.\n\nOften compared to England's FA Cup and Italy's Coppa Italia in terms of format and prestige, the Copa del Rey continues to occupy a special place in Spanish football, offering clubs of all sizes the chance to make history and claim one of the sport's oldest and most respected trophies.","active":true,"short_code":null,"category":2,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fb8b-ea7b-7004-87cb-6f47508379a7","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

Copa del Rey: Spain's Prestigious Knockout Tournament

Introduction

The Copa del Rey is Spain's premier knockout football cup competition and the oldest tournament in Spanish football. Officially titled \"Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey\" (Championship of Spain–His Majesty the King's Cup), it represents the highest level of cup competition in the Spanish football system. The Copa del Rey football tournament stands as a cornerstone of Spanish sporting culture, attracting millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. With its rich history and tradition of dramatic matches, the Copa del Rey statistics demonstrate its enduring appeal in the football world, often producing unexpected results and memorable encounters between teams from different tiers of Spanish football.

History

The Copa del Rey was established in 1903, predating La Liga (Spain's top-flight league) by 25 years. The competition was initially created to determine Spain's national football champion before the establishment of a league system. Throughout its existence, the tournament's name has reflected Spain's political landscape, being renamed the \"Copa del Presidente de la República\" during the Second Spanish Republic (1932-1936) and \"Copa del Generalísimo\" during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1976), before reverting to its current name after the restoration of the monarchy in 1976.

The Copa del Rey creation coincided with Spain's growing interest in football at the turn of the 20th century. Its development has seen numerous format changes, transitioning from a simple knockout competition among a handful of clubs to today's extensive tournament involving teams from multiple divisions. The Copa del Rey history has been graced by legendary Spanish footballers including Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stéfano, László Kubala, and in more recent times, stars like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom have left their mark on this prestigious competition.

Competition Format

The Copa del Rey format operates as a single-elimination knockout tournament that brings together clubs from various levels of Spanish football, including La Liga (first division), Segunda División (second division), and lower regional leagues. Following significant reforms implemented in the 2019-20 season, the Copa del Rey rules now stipulate that most matches are decided in single-leg ties, with lower-division clubs typically hosting games against higher-tier opponents, adding to the potential for surprising upsets.

Only the semi-finals maintain a two-legged format, while the final is contested at a predetermined neutral venue, currently the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Copa del Rey tournament awards the winner not only the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the UEFA Europa League (unless already qualified through league position) and a place in the Supercopa de España alongside the Copa runner-up and the top two La Liga finishers.

Famous Teams

Three clubs have dominated the Copa del Rey teams landscape throughout its history. FC Barcelona stands as the most successful club with 32 titles, their most recent triumph coming in 2025. The Catalan giants have particularly excelled in the competition during recent decades, cementing their status as Copa del Rey winners with remarkable consistency.

Athletic Bilbao holds a special place in Copa del Rey clubs history with 24 titles, including their victory in the 2024 edition. The Basque side maintains a unique policy of fielding only players of Basque origin or formation, making their success in this national competition particularly noteworthy.

Real Madrid completes the triumvirate of most successful teams with 20 titles. The historical rivalry between \"Barcelona\" and \"Real Madrid\" has produced some of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals, with these \"El Clásico\" encounters generating intense interest beyond Spain's borders.

Other significant clubs in the competition's history include \"Atlético Madrid\", \"Valencia\", and \"Zaragoza\", each having secured multiple titles and contributed to the rich tapestry of Copa del Rey history.

Statistics and Records

The Copa del Rey records are largely dominated by Barcelona's achievements, with their 32 championships standing as the benchmark for success. Athletic Bilbao's 24 titles place them second in the all-time list, a remarkable achievement considering they haven't always competed in the top tier of Spanish football.

In terms of individual Copa del Rey statistics, Lionel Messi holds numerous records from his time at Barcelona, including most finals scored in and most goals in the competition by a single player in the modern era. The tournament has witnessed incredible scoring feats, dramatic comebacks, and exceptional performances that have entered Spanish football folklore.

One notable Copa del Rey players record belongs to goalkeeper José Ramón Esnaola of \"Real Betis\", who remarkably scored the equalizing goal in the 1977 final against \"Athletic Bilbao\" before his team went on to win in the penalty shootout—an extremely rare occurrence for a goalkeeper.

Current State

The Copa del Rey season typically runs alongside the league campaign, commencing in the early autumn and concluding with the final in spring. The current format involves over 120 teams from across the Spanish football pyramid, making it one of the most inclusive national cup competitions in Europe.

Today, the Copa del Rey maintains its prestige as a coveted trophy in Spanish football, with clubs from La Liga dominating the latter stages but occasionally facing stern challenges from lower-division sides. The competition receives extensive media coverage throughout Spain and has growing international viewership, particularly during the later rounds when the country's football powerhouses clash.

The Copa del Rey overview in recent years shows a competition that continues to evolve while preserving its historical significance. The tournament's current format, with its emphasis on giving smaller clubs home advantage against top-tier opponents, has reinvigorated interest and created more opportunities for memorable upsets.

Interesting Facts

The Copa del Rey interesting history includes the fact that the trophy has undergone 12 different designs throughout its existence. According to competition rules, clubs can permanently keep a trophy if they win three consecutive titles or five titles in total, leading to multiple versions of the cup being created over the decades.

One of the most surprising Copa del Rey facts involves \"Real Madrid Castilla\" (Real Madrid's reserve team), which remarkably reached the final in 1980, ultimately losing to their senior team. Reserve teams were permitted to participate until the 1990-91 season.

The Copa del Rey stories of unexpected victories by underdogs have become legendary in Spanish football. Perhaps the most famous upset occurred in 2002 when \"Deportivo La Coruña\" overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against \"Real Madrid\" to win 5-4 on aggregate in what became known as the \"Centenariazo\" (ruining Real Madrid's centenary celebrations).

Another Copa del Rey interesting tradition is the presentation of the trophy by the Spanish monarch, underscoring the competition's royal connection and prestigious standing in Spanish sporting culture.

Often compared to England's FA Cup and Italy's Coppa Italia in terms of format and prestige, the Copa del Rey continues to occupy a special place in Spanish football, offering clubs of all sizes the chance to make history and claim one of the sport's oldest and most respected trophies.

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The team is based in the city of **Vitoria-Gasteiz**, which is in the **north of Spain**, in the heart of the **Basque Country**. Despite the **modest status** and periodic appearances in the **Segunda**, the club forever wrote its name in the history of **European football** thanks to reaching the **2001 UEFA Cup final**.\n\n> \"That's when the whole world learned that Alaves is not just a team from the province, but a team with character that can create sensations.\"\n","sporting_achievements":"## The history of Alaves: the path from an unknown club to the final of the UEFA Cup\n\n**\"Alavés\"** appeared on the football map of Spain **January 23, 1921**. The first decades were difficult - the club mainly played in **regional leagues** and did not have a stable place in the **Primera**. The team made its way to the elite for the first time in **1930**, but did not stay there for long.\n\n**The real breakthrough** happened at the end of the **90s**, when the club experienced its **first \"golden decade\"**. In the **1999/2000** season, **Alavés** finished in **sixth place in La Liga**, which made it possible to enter the **European Cups** for the first time in history.\n\n**And the very next season** the Basques created a **real fairy tale**, reaching the **UEFA Cup final**. Along the way, they knocked out the likes of **Inter and Kaiserslautern**, and in the decisive match against **Liverpool** they made the opponent nervous, only losing in extra time with the score **4:5**.\n\n> \"Then there were years of decline, financial problems and even relegation to the third division. But the club gradually revived.\"\n\nIn **2016** returned to **La Liga**. And already in **2017** he reminded himself again, reaching the **final of the Spanish Cup**, where he lost to **Barcelona**.","club_identity":"## Alavesa Stadium\n\nThe club's home arena is **\"Mendisorrosa\"**, one of the **oldest stadiums in Spain**, opened in **1924**. It is located in **Vitoria-Gasteiz** and holds a little more than **19 thousand spectators**.\n\n**The main feature of the stadium** is **incredible atmosphere**. **Basque fans** do not just support the team, but **literally live every match**. There are no **\"plastic\" fans** - only **real fans** who believe in their team even in the worst of times.\n\n> \"Mendisorrosa has gone through several renovations, and the last one in 2019 made the stadium even more modern.\"\n\n**But the main thing remained unchanged** – when the stands explode after the goal of **Alavés**, it **cannot be confused with anything**.\n\n## Achievements of Alaves\n\n**Alavés** doesn't have a cupboard full of trophies, but there are **moments that are more important than any cups**:\n\n* **UEFA Cup Final (2000/01)** is an incredible story that made the club **famous throughout the world**.\n* **Final of the Spanish Cup (2016/17)** is another proof that **Alavés** can fight even with the **strongest**.\n* **Sixth place in La Liga (1999/2000)** – the best season in the Spanish championship, which opened **the door to European cups**.\n\n> \"This club doesn't have the La Liga or Champions League titles, but it has the respect it has earned for its struggles on the pitch.\"","current_status_and_future":"## Legendary players: who made Alaves' name\n\nMany interesting football players played for this club, but some left the **brightest trace** in history:\n\n1. **Herman Burgos** is a charismatic **Argentine goalkeeper** who became a wall for opponents in **the best years of the club**.\n\n2. **Javi Moreno** is the team's top scorer in the **2001 UEFA Cup final**, the author of **two goals against Liverpool**.\n\n3. **Cosmin Kontra** – **Romanian defender**, who not only played reliably in defense, but was also an important part of **attacking actions**.\n\n4. **Ibay Gomez** is one of the **most favorite players** among the fans, who returned to the club even after leaving.\n\n## Interesting facts about Alaves: what makes it special\n\n* **Hero of the Europa League that no one expected** – before the start of the **2000/01** season, no one believed that **Alavés** could reach the **UEFA Cup final**. But the club proved that **anything is possible in football**.\n\n* **One of the most emotional finals** in the history of European Cups - **4:5 against Liverpool** in **2001** became one of the **most heated finals** in the entire history of the tournament.\n\n* **Never Give Up** – In **2017**, **Alavés** eliminated **Celta** in the **2017** semifinals of the **Cup of Spain**, scoring a **winning goal in the final minutes**.\n\n* **The only club** to use the **white and blue vertical striped kit** in **La Liga** - a stylish distinction that is hard to miss.\n\n* **From relegation to European Cups** – in **1995** **Alavés** was in the **third division**, and **five years later** was already playing in the **UEFA Cup**.\n\n> \"Alavés is proof that true greatness is measured not by the number of trophies, but by the strength of the spirit and the ability to create history.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Alavés** remains a **symbol of football romance**, proving that even **modest clubs** can **write great stories**. Will the team be able to **repeat the fairy tale of 2001**? One thing is certain — the **Mendisorrosa spirit** and **Basque character** make **Alavés** a special place where **dreams come true** and **small clubs** can **challenge the giants**. This is a team that **reminds** that in football **the most important thing** is not money, but **heart and faith**.","stb_internal_id":"0192fbe5-6eba-706a-b076-f68a71383e15","overrides":null,"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

All about the club «Alaves»

This is a professional football club, founded in 1921. The team is based in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, which is in the north of Spain, in the heart of the Basque Country. Despite the modest status and periodic appearances in the Segunda, the club forever wrote its name in the history of European football thanks to reaching the 2001 UEFA Cup final.

\n
\"That's when the whole world learned that Alaves is not just a team from the province, but a team with character that can create sensations.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

The history of Alaves: the path from an unknown club to the final of the UEFA Cup

\"Alavés\" appeared on the football map of Spain January 23, 1921. The first decades were difficult - the club mainly played in regional leagues and did not have a stable place in the Primera. The team made its way to the elite for the first time in 1930, but did not stay there for long.

The real breakthrough happened at the end of the 90s, when the club experienced its first \"golden decade\". In the 1999/2000 season, Alavés finished in sixth place in La Liga, which made it possible to enter the European Cups for the first time in history.

And the very next season the Basques created a real fairy tale, reaching the UEFA Cup final. Along the way, they knocked out the likes of Inter and Kaiserslautern, and in the decisive match against Liverpool they made the opponent nervous, only losing in extra time with the score 4:5.

\n
\"Then there were years of decline, financial problems and even relegation to the third division. But the club gradually revived.\"
\n

In 2016 returned to La Liga. And already in 2017 he reminded himself again, reaching the final of the Spanish Cup, where he lost to Barcelona.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Alavesa Stadium

The club's home arena is \"Mendisorrosa\", one of the oldest stadiums in Spain, opened in 1924. It is located in Vitoria-Gasteiz and holds a little more than 19 thousand spectators.

The main feature of the stadium is incredible atmosphere. Basque fans do not just support the team, but literally live every match. There are no \"plastic\" fans - only real fans who believe in their team even in the worst of times.

\n
\"Mendisorrosa has gone through several renovations, and the last one in 2019 made the stadium even more modern.\"
\n

But the main thing remained unchanged – when the stands explode after the goal of Alavés, it cannot be confused with anything.

Achievements of Alaves

Alavés doesn't have a cupboard full of trophies, but there are moments that are more important than any cups:

UEFA Cup Final (2000/01) is an incredible story that made the club famous throughout the world.
Final of the Spanish Cup (2016/17) is another proof that Alavés can fight even with the strongest.
Sixth place in La Liga (1999/2000) – the best season in the Spanish championship, which opened the door to European cups.

\n
\"This club doesn't have the La Liga or Champions League titles, but it has the respect it has earned for its struggles on the pitch.\"
\n

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Legendary players: who made Alaves' name

Many interesting football players played for this club, but some left the brightest trace in history:

Herman Burgos is a charismatic Argentine goalkeeper who became a wall for opponents in the best years of the club.
\n
Javi Moreno is the team's top scorer in the 2001 UEFA Cup final, the author of two goals against Liverpool.
\n
Cosmin Kontra – Romanian defender, who not only played reliably in defense, but was also an important part of attacking actions.
\n
Ibay Gomez is one of the most favorite players among the fans, who returned to the club even after leaving.
\n

Interesting facts about Alaves: what makes it special

Hero of the Europa League that no one expected – before the start of the 2000/01 season, no one believed that Alavés could reach the UEFA Cup final. But the club proved that anything is possible in football.
\n
One of the most emotional finals in the history of European Cups - 4:5 against Liverpool in 2001 became one of the most heated finals in the entire history of the tournament.
\n
Never Give Up – In 2017, Alavés eliminated Celta in the 2017 semifinals of the Cup of Spain, scoring a winning goal in the final minutes.
\n
The only club to use the white and blue vertical striped kit in La Liga - a stylish distinction that is hard to miss.
\n
From relegation to European Cups – in 1995 Alavés was in the third division, and five years later was already playing in the UEFA Cup.
\n

\n
\"Alavés is proof that true greatness is measured not by the number of trophies, but by the strength of the spirit and the ability to create history.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Alavés remains a symbol of football romance, proving that even modest clubs can write great stories. Will the team be able to repeat the fairy tale of 2001? One thing is certain — the Mendisorrosa spirit and Basque character make Alavés a special place where dreams come true and small clubs can challenge the giants. This is a team that reminds that in football the most important thing is not money, but heart and faith.

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Getxo: Upcoming