The Copa del Rey 2025–26 kicks off in October with the preliminary and first-round fixtures, marking the true start of Spain’s historic knockout competition. This month is especially important for regional and lower-division clubs, who host professional sides in single-elimination matches, creating chances for financial growth, national recognition, and famous “giant-killing” upsets. For fans, October brings excitement with local rivalries and the magic of underdogs challenging La Liga giants, while for top clubs it offers an opportunity to rotate squads and test young talent. October lays the foundation of the tournament’s drama, setting the stage for the journey toward the Seville final in April 2026.
Tournament Format
The tournament format for the 2025–26 Copa del Rey (Barcelona Football Cup, Spain):
1. Number of Teams
• Around 125–126 clubs take part.
• Teams come from:
- La Liga (Primera División)
- Segunda División
- Primera RFEF, Segunda RFEF, Tercera RFEF
- Regional leagues
- Copa Federación qualifiers
- Special guests (like FC Andorra)
2. Knockout Style
• Entire tournament is single elimination.
• One-leg matches until the semifinals.
• If tied after 90 minutes → extra time → penalties if needed.
• Semifinals are played over two legs (home & away).
• Final is a single match at a neutral venue (Seville – Estadio La Cartuja).
3. Early Rounds (October–December 2025)
• Preliminary Round: Regional + lower-division teams play each other.
• First Round: Winners face clubs from La Liga and Segunda División.
• Rule: When a lower-tier team faces a higher-tier team, the lower-tier side hosts the match.
4. Supercopa de España Clubs
• The four clubs qualified for the 2027 Supercopa de España (usually La Liga winner, runner-up, and Copa finalists) do not enter in October.
• They join the competition at the Round of 32.
5. Later Stages
• Round of 16, Quarterfinals → single matches.
• Semifinals → two legs (aggregate score).
• Final (April 2026) → one match at Estadio La Cartuja, Seville.
6. Rewards
• Winner qualifies directly for the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League group stage.
• Winner & runner-up also qualify for the 2027 Supercopa de España.
Tournament Format (October 2025)
• October is the starting month of the 2025–26 Copa del Rey.
• The matches played in this month are the Preliminary Round and the First Round, which bring in lower-division and regional teams.
• Number of Teams: Around 20–30 lower-ranked clubs (regional, amateur, and Copa Federación qualifiers) play in the preliminary stage.
• Knockout Style:
- Single-match eliminations (no two-legged ties in early rounds).
- If tied after 90 minutes, extra time is played.
- If still level, the winner is decided by penalty shoot-out.
• Winners Progress: Victorious clubs advance to the First Round (Primera Eliminatoria), where professional sides from La Liga (except the four Supercopa de España participants) and Segunda División enter.
• Host Advantage: In the early rounds, the lower-division team always hosts the match when drawn against a higher-tier team — giving small clubs a chance to play at home against giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Atlético.
• Supercopa Clubs Exempt: The four teams that will play in the 2027 Supercopa de España (usually the league and cup finalists) skip these early rounds and join later (Round of 32).
Match Schedule – October 2025
The Copa del Rey 2025–26 match details in October:
Preliminary Round (Two-Legged Ties)
• First leg: Weekend of 27–28 September 2025
• Second leg: Weekend of 4 October 2025
• These matches involved 20 regional-level teams, drawn geographically, with 10 winners advancing to the First Round.
First Round (Single-Match Eliminations)
• Dates: 28 to 30 October 2025
• Format: 56 one-off matches featuring 112 teams—102 from national divisions plus 10 preliminary round winners.
Detailed Importance of October Matches
A detailed explanation of the importance of the Copa del Rey (Barcelona Football Cup, Spain) 2025–26 in October:
1. The True Start of the Competition
• October is when the Copa del Rey properly begins.
• After the short preliminary stage, the First Round Proper brings in professional clubs from La Liga and Segunda División (except the four Supercopa de España entrants).
• This marks the first real test where small clubs can face big professional sides.
2. Stage for Lower-Division and Regional Clubs
• For small and semi-professional teams, October fixtures are often the highlight of their entire season.
• Hosting a La Liga team in their modest local stadium brings national exposure, ticket sales boosts, and financial stability.
• Many clubs use the revenue from these games to fund their budgets for years ahead.
3. “Giant-Killer” Opportunities
• October rounds are famous for shock results, where unknown regional clubs eliminate professional sides.
• These upsets create historic moments for communities and unforgettable memories for fans.
• Every year, one or two “Cinderella teams” emerge in October that carry their story deep into the tournament.
4. Fan and Community Excitement
• Local stadiums are often sold out, as fans see their small-town teams face off against national giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Atlético.
• This unique setup (lower division teams always hosting) makes the Copa del Rey a true “festival of football” in October.
5. Geographical Pairings & Rivalries
• The recent format changes mean early fixtures are organized by geographical proximity.
• This ensures that fans get regional derbies and rivalries from the very start, intensifying local passion.
6. Step Toward European Football
• Although the Europa League spot is months away, October matches are the first step in that journey.
• For clubs outside the top tier, the chance to qualify for European competition begins with victories in these early rounds.
7. Balance for Top Clubs
• For La Liga and Segunda División teams, October’s matches are about managing rotations.
• Coaches often test youth players, second-choice goalkeepers, and academy talents, giving fans a glimpse of the future stars.
8. Symbolic & Cultural Value
• The Copa del Rey is deeply tied to Spanish football tradition.
• October fixtures bring together the whole football pyramid, from tiny village clubs to global giants, showing the inclusivity and romance of the competition.
Conclusion
October is the foundation month of the Copa del Rey, where the tournament truly comes alive. It gives regional and lower-division clubs the rare chance to host and challenge Spain’s professional sides, bringing national exposure, financial benefits, and unforgettable experiences for their fans. For bigger clubs, October matches provide an opportunity to rotate squads, test new talents, and set the tone for the knockout journey ahead.
This early stage is also where the famous “giant-killer stories” begin, creating some of the most dramatic and emotional moments of Spanish football. While it may seem like the start of a long road, every victory in October builds momentum toward the ultimate prize — a place in Europe, a chance at silverware, and a spot in Spanish football history.
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