History of Copa del Rey in Timeline
The Copa del Rey, officially known as the Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey, is an annual knockout football competition in Spanish football. 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. It is also known as La Copa or the Spanish Cup or King's Cup.
1902: Dispute Regarding 1902 Competition
Because of the dispute regarding the 1902 Copa de la Coronación competition, the statistics regarding the leading winners are also disputed.
1902: Bizcaya won
In 1902, Bizcaya, a team made up of players from Athletic Bilbao and Bilbao FC, won a competition.
1902: Copa de la Coronación Played
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.
1903: Competition Organized by Madrid FC
Between 1903 and 1909, the Copa del Rey competition was organized by Madrid FC or the Madrid Federation.
1903: Two clubs merged
In 1903 these two clubs merged as the current Athletic Bilbao.
1903: Competition Founded
In 1903, the Copa del Rey competition was founded, marking it as the oldest Spanish football competition played at a national level.
1903: First Edition Won by Athletic Bilbao
In 1903, the first edition of the Copa del Rey was won by Athletic Bilbao, with Juan de Astorquia as captain and president.
1904: Athletic Bilbao Declared Winners
In 1904, Athletic Bilbao were declared the Copa del Rey winners after their opponents, Español de Madrid, failed to show up.
1905: Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII
Between 1905 and 1932, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII.
1909: Competition Organized by Madrid FC
Until 1909, the Copa del Rey competition was organized by Madrid FC or 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.
1929: Formation of La Liga
Before the formation of La Liga in 1929, the Copa del Rey competition was in essence a national championship.
1932: Copa del Presidente de la República
In 1932, the Copa del Rey 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: Awarded trophy to Real Madrid
Real Madrid was awarded the last Copa de la República trophy in 1936.
1939: Copa del Generalísimo
In 1939, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa del Generalísimo.
1939: Sevilla awarded Trofeo del Generalísimo
Sevilla were awarded the Trofeo del Generalísimo after its first edition in 1939.
1976: Atlético Madrid awarded the 11th trophy
Atlético Madrid were awarded the 11th Copa del Rey trophy in 1976 following the death of Francisco Franco.
1976: Copa del Generalísimo
In 1976, the Copa del Rey was known as the Copa del Generalísimo.
1990: Reserve teams banned
From 1990–91 onward, reserve teams have been banned from Copa del Rey competition.
2007: Request to Recognize Copa de la España Libre
In 2007, the Congress of Deputies urged the Royal Spanish Football Federation to recognize the Copa de la España Libre as a Copa del Rey win for Levante.
December 2010: Sevilla requests to keep the trophy
On 22 December 2010, Sevilla requested permission from the Royal Spanish Football Federation to keep the Copa del Rey trophy they had won in the 2010 final.
April 2011: Trophy accident
On 21 April 2011, the Copa del Rey trophy was accidentally dropped by Real Madrid player Sergio Ramos from a bus and run over, during post-game celebrations.
2014: Europa League Qualification Rule
Until 2014, the Copa del Rey runners-up qualified for the UEFA Europa League if the winners had already qualified through their league position; otherwise, the highest-placed league team who had not yet qualified took the spot.
2019: Amended Rules
Amended rules for the 2019–20 edition of the Copa del Rey led to the number of entrants increasing to 125.
2019: Supercopa de España Qualification
From the 2019–20 Supercopa de España edition onwards, the previous Copa del Rey runners-up automatically qualify in addition to the winners.
2019: Broadcasting Rights Package
From the 2019–20 season, the Copa del Rey final match is included in La Copa broadcasting rights package.
2019: Restructuring within the Federation
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.
2019: Format Overhaul
Since the format overhaul of the Copa del Rey in 2019-20, all rounds are single-leg ties, with lower division teams hosting the match.
March 2023: Copa de la España Libre Recognized
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, RFEF provided the official winners list.
2024: Athletic Bilbao Wins Copa del Rey
In 2024, Athletic Bilbao defeated Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final, held at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
2024: Athletic Bilbao Lost to Osasuna
In the 2024–25 Round of 16, Athletic Bilbao lost to Osasuna.
