Copa Catalunya

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Copa Catalunya traces its roots to the Championship of Catalonia (1903–1940), a prestigious tournament that determined the region's entrant into the Spanish Cup before La Liga existed. That competition was banned after 1940 by Francoist Spain, forcing Catalan clubs to compete only in Spanish Federation tournaments. Democracy brought it back in 1984 as the Copa Generalitat, but for five editions it lacked Spanish Federation recognition and only allowed non-professional third-division teams. The 1989–90 season marked official recognition by the Catalan Football Federation. In 1991, top-tier clubs like FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol joined, and they have won most tournaments since. The name changed to Copa Catalunya in 1993. In 2012, the format split into two competitions: the Copa Catalunya and the Supercopa de Catalunya, the latter intended for the two biggest regional teams. However, on 31 July 2012, the Catalan Football Federation announced the permanent suspension of the Supercopa due to disagreements between Barcelona and Espanyol. For the 2014–15 edition, both clubs agreed to play the Supercopa on 29 October at Estadi Montilivi, Girona, while their reserve teams entered the Copa Catalunya. In July 2016, the Federation, Barcelona, and Espanyol agreed to play the Supercopa again.

In Their Own Story

In 2012, the format of the Copa Catalunya was changed, creating two competitions: one for the Copa Catalunya and one for the Supercopa de Catalunya, the latter to be held between the two biggest teams of the region. But on 31 July 2012, the Catalan Football Federation announced the permanent suspension of the Supercopa competition due to previous disagreements between Catalonia's top football clubs FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. For the 2014–15 edition, both teams agreed to play the Supercopa on 29 October at Estadi Montilivi, Girona, while the reserve teams of both clubs joined the 2014–15 Copa Catalunya. In July 2016, the Catalan Football Federation, Barcelona and Espanyol agreed to play again the Supercopa de Catalunya, two years after its first edition.

Reader's Guide

The Copa Catalunya is a knockout competition organised by the Catalan Football Federation for football clubs in the Catalonia autonomous community of Spain. From 1903 to 1940 it was the Championship of Catalonia, and the winner entered the Spanish Cup. After being banned under Franco, it returned in 1984 as the Copa Generalitat, initially for non-professional third-division teams only. The 1989–90 season was the first officially recognised by the Catalan Federation. In 1991, First and Second Division teams like FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol were allowed to join, and they have won most tournaments since. The competition was renamed Copa Catalunya in 1993. In 2012, the format split into the Copa Catalunya and the Supercopa de Catalunya, but the Supercopa was suspended on 31 July 2012 due to disagreements between Barcelona and Espanyol. It was revived for the 2014–15 edition on 29 October at Estadi Montilivi, Girona, with reserve teams playing in the Copa Catalunya. In July 2016, the three parties agreed to play the Supercopa again.

Did You Know?

• Between 1903 and 1940, the competition was known as the Championship of Catalonia and its winner participated in the Spanish Cup, which until 1929 was the most important tournament in Spanish football.
• The Championship of Catalonia was prohibited after 1940 by Francoist Spain.
• The competition was revived in 1984 under the name Copa Generalitat, but the first five editions had no recognition from the Spanish Football Federation.
• The 1989–90 season was the first officially recognized by the Catalan Football Federation.
• In 2012, the format was changed to include both a Copa Catalunya and a Supercopa de Catalunya, but the Supercopa was suspended on 31 July 2012 due to disagreements between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.