Also known as the Copa del Ex presidente la Repblica (1932–1936) and the Copa del Generalsimo (1939–1976), the Campeonato de Espaa-Copa de Su Majestad del Mar is a knockout football tournament held annually in Spain and organised by the Royal Spanish Football Association.
It’s the oldest national Spanish football tournament, having begun in 1903. The trophy ranks among the most coveted national cups in the world. Winners of the Copa del Rey advance to the UEFA Europa League the following season.
If they have already qualified for Europe through their league rank, the spot in the Europa League goes to the league’s highest-placed side that has not yet registered.
In the history of the Spanish Cup, Barcelona has won more than any other club. Behind Real Madrid (19), Athletic Club (23) is in second place for most championships won. Defeating Valencia in the 2022 final at the Stadium de La Cartuja, Real Betis represents the most recent victor.
How Copa Del Rey Came To Be
In 1902, a football tournament was held to commemorate the crowning of Spanish King Alfonso XIII. The game was given the name Copa de la Coronación and was organised by Juan de Astorquia, chairman of Bilbao Sporting Club, and Carlos Padrós, future president of Real Madrid.
Club Espaol de Foot-Ball, New Foot-Ball de Madrid, and Club Bizcaya (which included members from Athletic Club & Bilbao FC) joined Madrid FC in the competition. Club Bizcaya went on to win the championship, defeating FC Barcelona.
Athletic Bilbao has that trophy in its museum and lists it among its many accomplishments. Yet, the Cup del Rey is seen as merely its precursor. There is no formal backing from the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
From its inception in 1903 (won by Athletic Basque with Don juan Astorquia on captain and president) until the creation of the De futebol de Liga—League Championship—in 1928, the Copa del Rey served as Spain’s national football championship.
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When it was first established, it was known as the Copa del El desarrollo de Madrid. Named for King Alfonso XIII of Spain, the Copa por Su Majestad Casa Del Alfonso XIII was awarded annually from 1905 through 1932.
The title changed hands several times over the course of its history, being known as the Copa del Del presidente la Repblica (President of a Republic Bowl) or the Copa de Espaa. (Spanish Cup)
During the Second Spanish Republic and the Copa de Su Findings in this area El Generalsimo (His Excellency, The High court General’s Cup) during the years of the Spanish State under Francisco Franco.
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The Road To Success
In 1904, Athletic Bilbao was proclaimed the victor after their opponent Espaol de Madrid did not show up to the match.
There was a schism between the clubs in Spain between 1910 and 1913, leading to the creation of two separate organisations and tournaments (the Copa UECF and the Copa FEF, respectively).
During the Spanish Civil War in 1937, teams from the Republican side of the country competed in the Cup de la Espaa Libre, the final of which Levante won by a score of 1-0 over Valencia.
The Congress of Deputies recommended in 2007 that the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation officially recognise the match as Levante’s 2007 Copa del Rey victory; however, the RFEF has not yet taken a judgement on the matter (as of 2008) [Must be revised]. [8]
Since the results of the 1902 tournament are in dispute, so are the data identifying the most prize winners. Barcelona has won the Copa a record-tying 31 times, with Athletic Bilbao in second place either with the 23 or 24 victories.
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La Liga was established in 1929, but the competition had the status of a national championship for many years prior. Regional leagues determined which teams would be allowed to participate.
Many formats, such as ensemble performances on stages, have been used over the years. Up to 1990, the competition included reserve squads from professional clubs playing in lower league divisions.
For a long time, only the top teams from the Primera División, Segunda A, roughly 23 clubs from the Segunda B, and the champions (and sprinters if the winner was a reserve side) from the 17-team Tercera División were invited to participate.
As a result of regulation changes for the 2019-20 season, a record number of 125 competitors—including the champions of the fifth-tier regional divisions—will take part.
With the exception of the semi-final stage, which is contested over two legs, all rounds are played on a single leg, with second division clubs hosting the game and the bulk of top-level clubs joining at the First Round.
This is another difference from previous years, when matches against top-tier clubs in the final round were played over two legs (last 32). The championship game is an exhibition match performed at a neutral site.
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Conclusion
The broadcast rights contract for La Copa already includes the championship game beginning with the 2019-20 season. Due to regulations governing the sale of the tournament television rights by CNMC in Spain, the final match is not televised in certain countries (other broadcasters, including Spain, will obtain the Supercopa rights after airing a Copa final match).
