History of Copa del Rey in Timeline

The Copa del Rey, officially the Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey, is an annual knockout football competition in Spain. Organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, it has undergone name changes reflecting Spain's political landscape, previously known as Copa del Presidente de la República and Copa del Generalísimo. The tournament is a significant part of Spanish football, offering teams a chance to win a national trophy and qualify for European competitions.

1902: Copa de la Coronación

In 1902, the Copa de la Coronación was played to celebrate the coronation of King Alfonso XIII. Club Bizcaya defeated Barcelona in the final, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation does not officially recognize it as the Copa del Rey.

1902: Dispute Regarding the 1902 Competition

In 1902, the statistics regarding the leading winners of the Copa del Rey are disputed due to the controversial Copa de la Coronación.

1902: Disputed Win of Bizcaya

The 1902 Copa del Rey version was won by Bizcaya, a team made up of players from Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC, which is disputed by the RFEF.

1903: Competition Organized by Madrid FC

From 1903, the Copa del Rey competition was organized by Madrid FC.

1903: Merger of Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC

In 1903, Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC merged to form the current Athletic Bilbao club.

1903: First Edition Won by Athletic Bilbao

In 1903, Athletic Bilbao won the first edition of the Copa del Rey, which was effectively Spain's national football championship.

1903: Competition Founded

In 1903, the Copa del Rey competition was founded, making it the oldest Spanish football competition played at a national level.

1904: Athletic Bilbao Declared Winners

In 1904, Athletic Bilbao were declared winners of the Copa del Rey after their opponents, Español de Madrid, failed to appear.

1905: Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII

From 1905, the competition was known as the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII.

1909: Competition Organized by Madrid Federation

Until 1909, the Copa del Rey competition was organized by the Madrid Federation.

1910: Split Among Clubs

In 1910, a split among the clubs led to two parallel Copa del Rey competitions being held, one organized by the FECF and the other by the UECF.

1913: Split Among Clubs

In 1913, a split among the clubs led to two parallel Copa del Rey competitions being held, one organized by the FECF and the other by the UECF.

1928: Foundation of La Liga

In 1928, the Campeonato de Liga (La Liga) was founded, after which the Copa del Rey was no longer the de facto national championship.

1929: La Liga Formation

In 1929, prior to the formation of La Liga, the Copa del Rey was essentially the national championship, with teams qualifying via regional leagues.

1932: Copa del Presidente de la República

In 1932, during the Second Spanish Republic, the competition was renamed Copa del Presidente de la República.

1936: Real Madrid Awarded Trophy

In 1936, Real Madrid was awarded the last Copa de la República trophy.

1936: Copa del Presidente de la República

In 1936, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa del Presidente de la República.

1937: Copa de la España Libre

In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, clubs in the Republican area of Spain entered the Copa de la España Libre, with Levante FC beating Valencia in the final.

1939: Sevilla Awarded Trofeo del Generalísimo

In 1939, Sevilla was awarded the Trofeo del Generalísimo after its first edition.

1939: Copa del Generalísimo

In 1939, the competition became known as Copa del Generalísimo, during the years of Francisco Franco's Spanish State.

1976: Atlético Madrid Awarded Trophy

In 1976, Atlético Madrid, winners the previous year, were awarded the 11th Copa del Rey trophy following the death of Francisco Franco.

1976: End of Copa del Generalísimo

In 1976, the Copa del Generalísimo era ended, marking the end of Francisco Franco's Spanish State's influence on the competition's name.

1990: Reserve Teams Banned

From the 1990–91 season onward, reserve teams have been banned from the Copa del Rey competition.

2009: Congress Urges Recognition of Copa de la España Libre

In 2009, the Congress of Deputies urged the Royal Spanish Football Federation to recognize the 1937 Copa de la España Libre as a Copa del Rey win for Levante.

December 2010: Sevilla Requests Permission to Keep Trophy

In December 2010, Sevilla requested permission from the Royal Spanish Football Federation to keep the trophy they had won in the 2010 final, to commemorate the victory of the Spain national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

April 2011: Real Madrid Wins New Trophy and Accidentally Drops It

In April 2011, Real Madrid became the first recipients of a new Copa del Rey trophy. During the post-game celebrations, the trophy was accidentally dropped by Real Madrid player Sergio Ramos from a bus and was run over.

2014: Europa League Qualification Rule Change

In 2014, a rule change was implemented such that if the Copa del Rey winners had already qualified for Europe through their league position, the Europa League spot would be given to the highest-placed team in the league who had not yet qualified, instead of the Copa runners-up.

2019: Supercopa de España Qualification Change

From the 2019–20 Supercopa de España edition onwards, the previous Copa del Rey runners-up automatically qualify in addition to the winners.

2019: La Copa Broadcasting Rights Package

From the 2019–20 season, the final match is already included in La Copa broadcasting rights package.

2019: Amended Rules for Entry

In 2019, amended rules for the Copa del Rey led to the number of entrants increasing to 125, including winners of regional divisions at the fifth level.

2019: Format Overhaul

In 2019, the Copa del Rey underwent a format overhaul, introducing single-leg ties with lower division teams hosting the match, and the majority of top-level clubs entering at the first Round.

2019: Restructuring Initiated by Luis Rubiales

In 2019, the new presidency of Luis Rubiales initiated restructuring within the Royal Spanish Football Federation, impacting the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.

March 2023: Copa de la España Libre Officially Recognized

On March 25, 2023, the RFEF officially recognized the 1937 Copa de la España Libre, but not as a Copa del Rey.

April 2024: Official Winners List Provided

As of April 7, 2024, the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) provided the official winners list for the Copa del Rey.

2024: Athletic Bilbao Losing to Osasuna

In the 2024–25 season, Athletic Bilbao lost to Osasuna in the Round of 16, ending a streak of reaching the two-legged semi-finals in each of its first five seasons after the format change.