History of Coppa Italia in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 26, 2026

The Coppa Italia is an annual Italian domestic football cup competition. It is a knockout tournament format and was initially organized by the DDS and Lega Calcio. Since the 2009–10 season, Lega Serie A has been responsible for its organization.

1921: Beginning of turbulent tournament

In 1921, the Italian championship was divided into two groups: the rich CCI Championship and the poor FIGC championship, causing the beginning of the tournament to be turbulent.

1922: First edition won by F.C. Vado

In 1922, the inaugural edition of the Coppa Italia was held and won by F.C. Vado.

1926: Failed 1926-27 Tournament

In 1926, a tournament started in 1926–27 was cancelled during the round of 32, and the cup wasn't held again until 1935–36.

1935: Resumption of Coppa Italia

In 1935, after a failed tournament in 1926-27 and a period without the cup, the Coppa Italia was held again in 1935–36.

1942: Interruption due to World War II

In 1942, the events of World War II led to the interruption of the Coppa Italia tournament after the 1942–43 season.

1958: Resumption after World War II

In 1958, the Coppa Italia resumed after being interrupted by World War II, marking its return after the 1942-43 season.

1958: Introduction of cup and cockade

In 1958, the present-day Coppa Italia cup and cockade were introduced, and the cup was resumed to define a participant to the new UEFA competition, having a minimal direct elimination format.

1967: Change of format due to Serie A reduction

In 1967, following the reduction of the Serie A to 16 teams, the semifinals and finals of Coppa Italia were replaced by a final post-season group.

1971: Restructuring of format

In 1971, the Coppa Italia format was restructured with two semifinal post-season groups, introducing a fixed one-legged final in Rome.

1978: Reintroduction of Quarterfinals and Semi-Finals

In 1978, ordinary quarterfinals and semi-finals were reintroduced to the Coppa Italia, along with a round of 16 when the competition was reopened to some Serie C clubs.

2007: Elimination of Two-Legged Final

In 2007, the two-legged final was eliminated for the 2007–08 edition of Coppa Italia, and a single-match final is now played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

2009: Restructuring of Coppa Italia organization

In 2009, the Lega Serie A took over the organization of the Coppa Italia from the DDS and the Lega Calcio. Before the 2009-10 season, these leagues were in charge of organizing the competition.

2020: RAI Aired Coppa Italia

Up until the 2020–21 edition, the Coppa Italia tournament was aired by the national public broadcaster RAI.

2021: Mediaset Broadcasts Coppa Italia

Since the 2021–22 season, the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana have been broadcast by Mediaset.

2023: Extra time rule in Coppa Italia

Through the 2023–24 edition, extra time was played following all matches drawn after 90 minutes in Coppa Italia.

2024: Changes to Extra Time and Penalty Shoot-Out Rules

Beginning with the 2024–25 edition, extra time is only possible in the semi-finals and the final. Matches drawn after 90 minutes in all other rounds are immediately followed by a penalty shoot-out to determine which team will advance to the next round.