The Copa del Rey, or the King's Cup, is Spain's premier domestic cup competition for men's football teams. It is organized annually by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and is one of the oldest football competitions in the world, having first been held in 1903.
The competition is open to all football clubs affiliated with the RFEF, including those in the top division, La Liga, and those in lower divisions. The competition involves knockout rounds, with teams playing each other over one or two legs, and the winner advancing to the next round.
The final of the Copa del Rey is traditionally played in the capital city of Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium or the Wanda Metropolitano stadium. The winner of the Copa del Rey qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, unless they have already qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
The record for the most Copa del Rey titles won is held by Barcelona, who have won the competition 31 times. Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid are tied for the second-most titles, with 23 each. Other notable winners include Valencia, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla.
In recent years, the Copa del Rey has been subject to some controversy and changes in format. In the 2019-20 season, for example, the competition was suspended and eventually resumed without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2020-21 season, the competition was restructured to eliminate two-legged ties in the early rounds and reduce the number of teams competing.
Despite the changes and controversies, the Copa del Rey remains an important and highly anticipated competition in Spanish football, with many memorable moments and legendary performances over its long and storied history.
