Copa del Rey: Spanish Football Federation Set To Make Major Changes

Written by Oluwadamilola Olaleye

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is set to alter the Copa del Rey format effective from next season, introducing a more regionally focused structure in the early stages, with teams initially competing against opponents from their own geographical areas.

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This change is designed to reduce travel and foster local rivalries. Non-professional clubs will continue to be seeded against top-tier opponents, first facing La Liga sides and then Segunda División teams as the competition advances.

Additionally, the four clubs participating in the Spanish Super Cup which involves FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Club will enter the tournament at a later stage, joining in the Round of 32 as seeded teams with a likelihood of Real Madrid and Barcelona meeting at the tail end of the competition, a move that has sparked outrage among some clubs.

These teams will now be placed in a separate pot during the draws for both the Round of 32 and the Round of 16, ensuring they cannot face each other until the quarter-finals at the earliest. This adjustment has sparked debate over competitive fairness, as critics argue that it provides an added advantage to already dominant clubs.

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Not only do these teams enter the tournament later thereby playing fewer matches, but they will also now enjoy a more favorable path through the early knockout stages.

Under the previous Copa del Rey format, the four Spanish Super Cup participants were kept apart only during the Round of 32. However, the altercation has now extended this protection to include the Round of 16 as well. This change means that marquee fixtures such as a Copa Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona or a Madrid derby cannot take place until the quarter-final stage at the earliest.

The adjustment is seen as a move to preserve high-profile clashes for the latter stages of the tournament, potentially increasing commercial appeal but also drawing criticism over fairness and competitive balance.

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