RFEF Set To Change Copa del Rey Format For 2025/26 Season

The RFEF is set to change the Copa del Rey format for the 2025/26 season after several deliberations. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) plans to change the present format of the Copa del Rey competition for the 2025/26 season.

The new rules would likely cause Real Madrid and Barcelona to avoid one another until the quarter-final stage. The Copa format will now see regional clubs battle within geographical areas in the early rounds, with non-professional teams seeded against La Liga and subsequently Segunda sides as the tournament continues.

The four Spanish Super cup clubs would be seeded and join the competition last, in the Round of 32. However, according to Sport, new alterations to the system would see the Super cup teams, who this year are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Athletic Club, seeded even deeper.

The four teams will enter the draw in separate pots in the Round of 32 and Round of 16, meaning they will not be able to meet until the quarter-finals.

It has generated concerns about whether the most successful clubs are not competing on an equal playing field.

Super cup teams are already obligated to play fewer games, and they will now face what appear to be softer draws than other clubs in the league.

With the RFEF regularly benefiting from increased Super cup fixtures between Barcelona and Real Madrid, their deal with Saudi Arabia pays out more for a Clasico match.

There is speculation that this shift is intended to increase the chances of games between the biggest sides later in the competition.

Again, this is set to allow the Laliga seeded teams to have more rest due to their tight schedule. This will help them avoid playing less competitive matches in the Copa del Rey while participating in the Champions League and Laliga.

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