Copa del Rey - What is it and Why love it?

Current Champion: Real Madrid
​
We think the Copa del Rey is truly a beautiful, organic, and humble competition that just like its organic roots, must survive brutal winters as the competition blooms into the spring.

​Simply,  "La Copa" is an annual knockout football competition in Spanish football, organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. La Copa, founded in 1903, is the oldest Spanish football competition, which is one of the oldest national competitions. The older sister competition can be compared to the FA Cup via the England and Wales regions (older as the FA Cup was founded in 1871) La Copa is the second oldest when comparing to the four major football leagues (Coppa Italia founded in 1922 and Coupe de France in 1917). To read more about the competition and statistics of champions, please do so.

​La Copa is considered to be one of the most prestigious national cup trophies in the world. What is always at stake with La Copa is an automatic European bid to the Europa League (Copa del Rey, FA Cup, Coppa Italia, and Coupe de France all offer this opportunity). La Copa del Rey, further provides an invitation to the Spanish Supercup competition.

It is true that recently, most of the big clubs eyeing for Champions League glory will use the phrase of "grueling schedules",  "squad rotation" and "potential embarrassing eliminations". But there is where we want to stop and say that is what so beautiful about this tournament. Fourth, Third, and Second tier clubs can dream about playing European football. Whilst the "Bigger Clubs" have to really survive the opening rounds. 

Spain, we need to remember, suffered a great civil war, and in the late 1970s, is when they entered the new democratic era. It is said, politically, that it forced the nation in a perpetual state of humility. And although, Spain is dawning a new era of wealth and growth as a country, their football is still a bedrock that got many a folk through the darkest periods of the country's history. And La Copa del Rey, has been forever a staple to the Spanish Culture. 

Outright Champions (Runner Ups)

• Barcelona: 31 (11)
• Athletic Club: 23 (16)
• Real Madrid: 20 (20)
• Atletico Madrid: 10 (9)
• Valencia: 8 (10)
• Zaragoza: 6 (5)
• Sevilla: 5 (4)
• Espanyol: 4 (5)
• Real Union: 4 (1)
• Real Sociedad: 3 (5)
• Real Betis: 3 (2)
• Deportivo La Coruña: 2
• Arenas: 1 (3)
• Mallorca: 1 (2)
• Osasuna: 0 (1)