History of Copa del Rey in Timeline

The Copa del Rey, officially known as Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey, is a significant annual knockout football competition in Spain. Organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, it has undergone name changes throughout history, including Copa del Presidente de la República and Copa del Generalísimo, reflecting different political periods. The tournament, also referred to as La Copa or the Spanish Cup or King's Cup, is a prestigious event in Spanish football.

1902: Dispute Regarding the 1902 Competition

Due to the dispute regarding the 1902 competition, the statistics regarding the leading winners of Copa del Rey are also disputed. Barcelona has won the Copa 32 times, while Athletic Bilbao has either 24 or 25 titles, depending on the source.

1902: Bizcaya Wins Copa de la Coronación

In 1902, Bizcaya, a team made up of players from Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC, won the Copa de la Coronación, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation does not recognize it as official.

1902: Copa de la Coronación

In 1902, the Copa de la Coronación was played to celebrate the coronation of King Alfonso XIII, with Club Bizcaya defeating Barcelona in the final. This cup is considered the forerunner of the Copa del Rey, although the Royal Spanish Football Federation does not officially recognize it as such.

1903: Competition organized by Madrid FC

Between 1903 and 1909 the competition was organized by Madrid FC or by the Madrid Federation.

1903: Merger of Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC

In 1903, Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC merged as the current Athletic Bilbao.

1903: Athletic Bilbao Wins First Edition

In 1903, Athletic Bilbao won the first edition of the Copa del Rey, which was also 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 show up.

1905: Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII

From 1905 until 1932, the competition was known as the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII (His Majesty King Alfonso XIII's Cup).

1909: Competition organized by Madrid FC

Between 1903 and 1909 the competition was organized by Madrid FC or by the Madrid Federation.

1910: Split Among Clubs, Parallel Competitions

In 1910, there was a split among the clubs and two parallel Copa del Rey competitions were held, one organized by the FECF and the other by the UECF.

1913: Split Among Clubs, Parallel Competitions

In 1913, there was a split among the clubs and two parallel Copa del Rey competitions were 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 effectively Spain's national football championship.

1929: Formation of La Liga

Before the formation of La Liga in 1929, the Copa del Rey competition was in essence a national championship. Teams qualified to enter via their regional leagues.

1932: Copa del Presidente de la República

In 1932, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa del Presidente de la República, as it was during the Second Spanish Republic period.

1936: Copa del Presidente de la República

In 1936, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa del Presidente de la República, as it was during the Second Spanish Republic period.

1936: Real Madrid Receives Copa de la República

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

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: Copa del Generalísimo

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

1939: Sevilla Awarded Trofeo del Generalísimo

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

1976: Atlético Madrid Awarded Trophy

Atlético Madrid, winners the previous year, were awarded the 11th trophy following the death of Francisco Franco in 1976.

1976: Copa del Generalísimo

In 1976, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa del Generalísimo, during the years of Francisco Franco's Spanish State.

1990: Reserve Teams Banned

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

2007: Congress Urges Recognition of Copa de la España Libre

In 2007, the Congress of Deputies urged the Royal Spanish Football Federation to recognise the Copa de la España Libre as a Copa del Rey win for Levante, but no decision was made at the time.

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. A new trophy was then made.

April 2011: Real Madrid Drops and Runs Over Trophy

On April 21, 2011, Real Madrid became the first recipients of the new Copa del Rey trophy. During the post-game celebrations, Real Madrid player Sergio Ramos accidentally dropped the trophy from the top of a double-decker bus, which then ran over it.

2014: Europa League Qualification Rule Change

Until 2014, the Copa del Rey runners-up qualified for the UEFA Europa League if the winner had already qualified through their league position; after 2014, the spot was given to the highest-placed team in the league who had not yet qualified.

2019: Amended Rules Increase Entrants

Amended rules for the 2019–20 edition led to the number of entrants increasing to 125, including winners of the regional divisions at the fifth level.

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, with four teams taking part in the event.

2019: Broadcasting Rights Package

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

2019: Restructuring and New Formats

In 2019, the presidency of Luis Rubiales initiated profound restructuring within the Federation, impacting the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España, which were reformed with new formats. The Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville was chosen to host the Copa del Rey final for a four-year period.

2019: Format Overhaul

Since the format overhaul in 2019–20, all rounds are single-leg ties with lower division teams hosting the match and the majority of the top-level clubs entering at the first Round (four teams taking part in the Supercopa de España entering in the third round – last 32), other than the semi-final stage which is played over two legs.

March 2023: Recognition of Copa de la España Libre

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

April 2024: Official Winners List

As of 7 April 2024, the official winners list of the Copa del Rey is provided by the RFEF.

2024: Athletic Bilbao Loses to Osasuna

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