Copa del Rey 2025-2026 — Results, Bracket & Schedule
The 2025-2026 Copa del Rey final pits Real Madrid against FC Barcelona on April 25, 2026 at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Real Madrid advanced past Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, while Barcelona demolished Real Betis 5-1 over two legs. The Clasico final promises to be one of the most-watched domestic cup matches in Spanish football history.
What Is the Copa del Rey?
The Copa del Rey (King's Cup) is Spain's oldest and most prestigious domestic knockout competition, first held in 1903. Open to all clubs in the Spanish football pyramid, the tournament provides lower-division teams with the opportunity to face La Liga giants on their home turf. The 2025-2026 edition has followed the format introduced in 2019-20: single-leg knockout rounds through the quarter-finals (with lower-ranked teams hosting), two-legged semi-finals, and a single-match final at a neutral venue.
This season's competition has produced dramatic upsets in the early rounds and compelling matchups in the knockout stages. Barcelona's path to the final saw them eliminate Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the quarter-finals before a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Betis in the semis. Real Madrid dispatched Real Sociedad 3-1 in the quarters and needed a patient 3-1 aggregate triumph over Athletic Bilbao to reach the final. The result is a Clasico showpiece on April 25 — the first Copa del Rey final between these two rivals since 2014.
Quarter-Finals
| Date | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad | 3-1 |
| January 29, 2026 | Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao | 1-2 |
| January 28, 2026 | FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid | 2-1 |
| January 29, 2026 | Real Betis vs Osasuna | 2-0 |
Semi-Finals — First Leg
| Date | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| February 11, 2026 | Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid | 1-1 |
| February 12, 2026 | Real Betis vs FC Barcelona | 0-2 |
Semi-Finals — Second Leg
| Date | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao | 2-0 |
| March 5, 2026 | FC Barcelona vs Real Betis | 3-1 |
Copa del Rey Final: Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona
Real Madrid
20 Copa titles
VS
April 25, 2026
La Cartuja, Seville
FC Barcelona
31 Copa titles
The Clasico final carries enormous weight for both clubs. Barcelona, leading La Liga by 5 points, are chasing a domestic double — La Liga and Copa del Rey in the same season, which they last achieved in 2017-18. Real Madrid, who won the Copa in 2024-25, are pursuing back-to-back titles and a potential treble with the Champions League still alive. The rivalry between Mbappe-led Madrid and Yamal-powered Barcelona adds a generational dimension to a fixture that has defined Spanish football for over a century.
Historically, Barcelona hold the upper hand in Copa del Rey finals with 31 titles to Madrid's 20. But Real Madrid won the most recent Clasico cup final in 2014, and their semi-final demolition of Athletic Bilbao — a team that had beaten them twice in La Liga this season — suggests they arrive in Seville with momentum and tactical clarity under Carlo Ancelotti.
Why Does the Copa del Rey Still Matter in Modern Football?
In an era dominated by Champions League revenue and La Liga title races worth hundreds of millions in broadcasting and commercial income, the Copa del Rey might seem like a secondary competition. But its importance has actually grown in recent years for several reasons that go beyond tradition and trophy counting.
First, the Copa del Rey offers a direct route to European competition. The winner qualifies for the Europa League (or Europa Conference League if the winner already has a Champions League spot), making the cup a legitimate pathway for mid-table La Liga clubs to access European football. For Real Betis, who reached the semi-finals this season, the prospect of European qualification through the cup is financially transformative — worth an estimated €15-20 million in additional revenue from UEFA prize money, broadcasting rights, and matchday income.
Second, the single-leg format in early rounds creates genuine giant-killing opportunities. In the 2025-2026 edition, three La Liga clubs were eliminated by lower-division opponents before the Round of 16, generating massive media attention and fan engagement. These upsets are the lifeblood of cup competition — they give Segunda and Primera Federacion clubs financial windfalls (each home tie against a La Liga opponent generates €500,000-€2 million in gate receipts and TV money) and provide unforgettable experiences for small-town supporters.
Third, the Copa del Rey final itself has become a major cultural event. The La Cartuja final regularly attracts 55,000+ spectators and generates a TV audience of 8-10 million viewers in Spain alone. For players, lifting the Copa is often their first major trophy — it serves as a springboard for careers. Gavi won his first professional honor in the 2021 Copa, and Lamine Yamal has spoken publicly about wanting to add a Copa del Rey medal to his Euro 2024 winners' collection.
Recent Copa del Rey Winners
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Real Madrid | Athletic Bilbao | 2-1 |
| 2023-24 | Athletic Bilbao | RCD Mallorca | 1-0 |
| 2022-23 | Real Madrid | Osasuna | 2-1 |
| 2021-22 | Real Betis | Valencia | 5-4 (pens) |
| 2020-21 | FC Barcelona | Athletic Bilbao | 4-0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Copa del Rey final?
The 2025-2026 Copa del Rey final is scheduled for April 25, 2026 at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. The venue has a capacity of 60,000 and has hosted multiple recent finals including the 2024 and 2025 editions.
Who are the semi-finalists in the 2025-2026 Copa del Rey?
The four semi-finalists are Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, FC Barcelona, and Real Betis. Real Madrid face Athletic Bilbao while Barcelona take on Real Betis across two-legged ties played in February and March 2026.
How does the Copa del Rey format work?
The Copa del Rey is a single-elimination knockout tournament featuring all Spanish professional clubs. Lower-division teams enter in early rounds, with La Liga clubs joining from the Round of 32. All rounds through the quarter-finals are single-leg ties (with lower-ranked teams hosting), while semi-finals are two-legged. The final is a single match at a neutral venue.
Who has won the most Copa del Rey titles?
FC Barcelona hold the all-time record with 31 Copa del Rey titles, ahead of Athletic Bilbao (24) and Real Madrid (20). Barcelona won their most recent title in 2024, while Athletic Bilbao's last victory came in 2024 as well after a 40-year drought.
Where is the Copa del Rey final held?
The Copa del Rey final is traditionally held at a neutral venue. Since 2020, the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville has been the primary host, though the final can also be held at other neutral grounds. The La Cartuja offers excellent transport links, 60,000 capacity, and proven infrastructure for hosting major Spanish football events.
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