Copa del Rey 2026 First Round Features 56 Upsets and Modest Clubs

The Copa del Rey 2026-27 begins with 56 first-round ties, pitting lower-division clubs against top-tier opponents in a series of single-leg matches. The tournament opens on Tuesday, October 27, with the Cuarte vs. Girona fixture at 18:30 local time. Four major clubs—Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Real Sociedad—are exempt from this round as they prepare for the Supercopa de España, entering only in the round of 16.

Key Matchups

The schedule features high-profile clashes between regional teams and Primera División sides. Notable fixtures include:

• Sestao River vs. Espanyol and Pinatar vs. Elche on Tuesday Source: ABC.
• Manacor vs. Villarreal and Recreativo de Huelva vs. Rayo Vallecano later that evening Source: El Confidencial.
• Sporting de Alcázar vs. Málaga, where the amateur side has expanded its stadium capacity to accommodate expected crowds Source: ABC.
• Wednesday’s slate includes Navalcarnero vs. Betis, Salamanca vs. Celta, and Tavernes vs. Valencia Source: El Confidencial.

Format and Logistics

All 112 participating teams play away from home if they are of a higher division than their opponent. Matches are played on artificial turf where necessary, and VAR technology is suspended until the quarter-finals. The 56 winners advance to the second round in early November, maintaining the geographic proximity rule for venue selection. Broadcast coverage is split among Movistar Plus+, RTVE Play, and various regional networks, ensuring broad accessibility for these underdog stories.

What's Next

The first round concludes on Thursday, October 29, with 14 remaining matches including Athletic Club vs. Prat and Sevilla vs. Sporting Hortaleza. The competition continues through December and January, culminating in the final scheduled for April 2027. This structure allows smaller clubs like Cuarte and Sporting de Alcázar brief moments in the national spotlight before facing elite opposition.