History of Copa del Rey in Timeline

The Copa del Rey, officially known as 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, including Copa del Presidente de la República and Copa del Generalísimo, reflecting Spain's political history. 'La Copa' showcases Spanish football teams in a quest for the title.

1902: Dispute over 1902 Win

In 1902, Bizcaya, a team made up of players from Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC, won the Copa de la Coronación. The win is counted by Athletic Bilbao, but not recognized by the RFEF.

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 FC Barcelona in the final. While Athletic Bilbao includes this victory as a Copa del Rey win, the Royal Spanish Football Federation does not officially recognize it as such.

1902: Dispute Regarding 1902 Competition

In 1902, the statistics regarding the leading winners are disputed due to the contention around the Copa de la Coronación.

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 Bilbao Clubs

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

1903: Athletic Bilbao Wins First Edition

In 1903, Athletic Bilbao won the first edition of the Copa del Rey, which effectively served as Spain's national football championship. Juan de Astorquia was the captain and president.

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 by Default

In 1904, Athletic Bilbao were declared the 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 to 1932, the competition was known as the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII.

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

In 1910, a split among the clubs led to two parallel competitions being held, one organized by the FECF and the other by the UECF. All editions are officially recognized by the RFEF.

1913: Split Among Clubs

In 1913, a split among the clubs led to two parallel competitions being held, one organized by the FECF and the other by the UECF. All editions are officially recognized by the RFEF.

1928: Foundation of La Liga

In 1928, the Campeonato de Liga (La Liga) was founded, marking a shift from the Copa del Rey as the primary national football championship.

1929: Formation of La Liga

Before the formation of La Liga in 1929, the Copa del Rey was essentially a national championship, with teams qualifying via their regional leagues.

1932: Copa del Presidente de la República

From 1932, during the Second Spanish Republic, the competition was known as the Copa del Presidente de la República.

1936: Copa del Presidente de la República

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

1936: Real Madrid Awarded Trophy

Real Madrid was awarded one of the trophies for winning the last Copa de la República 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 defeating Valencia 1–0 in the final.

1939: Sevilla Awarded Trofeo del Generalísimo

In 1939, Sevilla were awarded the Trofeo del Generalísimo after the first edition of the tournament under that name.

1939: Copa del Generalísimo

In 1939, the Copa del Rey was known as Copa del Generalísimo.

1976: Atlético Madrid Awarded Trophy

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

1976: Copa del Generalísimo

In 1976, the Copa del Rey was known as Copa del Generalísimo.

1990: Reserve Teams Banned

Reserve teams have been banned from the Copa del Rey competition from 1990–91 onward.

2007: Request to Recognize 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 the governing body made no decision at the time.

December 2010: Sevilla Requests to Keep Trophy

In December 2010, Sevilla requested permission from the Royal Spanish Football Federation to keep the trophy they had won to commemorate the victory of the Spain national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A new trophy was made by Madrid jeweler Federico Alegre.

April 2011: Real Madrid Drops the Trophy

In April 2011, Real Madrid became the first recipients of the new trophy. During the post-game celebrations, player Sergio Ramos accidentally dropped the trophy from a bus, and it was run over. The club received a copy, which is displayed at Santiago Bernabéu.

2014: Europa League Qualification Rule Change

Until 2014, the Copa del Rey runners-up would qualify for the UEFA Europa League if the winners had already qualified through their league position. This spot is now given to the highest-placed team in the league who has not yet qualified.

2019: Amended Rules for 2019-20 Edition

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

2019: Supercopa de España Qualification

From the 2019–20 Supercopa de España edition onwards, the Copa del Rey runners-up automatically qualify in addition to the winners, with four teams taking part in the event.

2019: La Copa Broadcasting Rights

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

2019: Restructuring by Luis Rubiales

In 2019, Luis Rubiales initiated restructuring within the Royal Spanish Football Federation, impacting the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España with new formats to increase competitiveness. 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, all rounds of Copa del Rey are single-leg ties (except the semi-final), with lower division teams hosting the match. Top-level clubs enter at the first Round.

March 2023: Recognition of Copa de la España Libre

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

April 2024: Official Winners List Update

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

2024: Athletic Bilbao's Single-Leg Tie Streak Ends

In the 2024–25 Round of 16, Athletic Bilbao lost to Osasuna, ending their streak of winning 22 single-leg ties to reach the two-legged semi-finals in each of its first five seasons under the new format introduced in 2019.