Most Copa del Rey Final Appearances
Athletic Bilbao: a founding club of the Copa del Rey with a rich final history.
Athletic Bilbao have appeared in numerous Copa del Rey finals, with the competition having been held annually since 1903. The first final was between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid.
- record_holder
- Athletic Bilbao
- achievement
- Most Copa del Rey Final Appearances
- total_appearances
- ~40
- titles_won
- 23
- status
- Record Holder (Active)
- era_span
- 1902 to Present
Lore & Background
The 1904 final was not held; Athletic Bilbao were awarded the trophy by default after no opponent could play, which is often considered a title win. In 1910 and 1913, two parallel tournaments and finals were played due to rivalry between football federations. The finals did not take place in 1937 and 1938 due to the Spanish Civil War. The 2020 final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad was rescheduled to April 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the stadium was thick with anticipation, a familiar scent for any Lejano who had walked these grounds since the dawn of the century. The players stood on the pitch, their red-and-white stripes vivid against the green grass, knowing that history was being written once again. It was not the first time they had stood here waiting for the referee's whistle; it would not be the last. Around them, the roar of the crowd echoed through the stands, a sound that had accompanied twenty-eight previous journeys to this very moment. In their eyes lay the reflection of past glories and the weight of future expectations, bound together by an unbreakable Basque spirit.
Reader's Guide
As of 2026, 36 clubs have competed in the final, with 15 winning at least once. Barcelona hold the record for most wins (32) and most final appearances (43). Real Madrid hold the record for most finals lost (21).
Did You Know?
- Athletic Bilbao's Agustín Gaínza shares the record for most Copa del Rey trophies won by a player, with 7.
- Telmo Zarra of Athletic Bilbao holds the record for most goals scored in a final (four, in 1950) and for consecutive finals scored in (1942–1945).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for most Copa del Rey final appearances?
Athletic Bilbao stands alone at the top with roughly 40 trips to the final. This consistent presence over a century surpasses major rivals like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
How many times has Athletic Bilbao reached the Copa del Rey final?
The club has arrived at the decisive match nearly 40 times since the tournament began. This long history of participation stretches back to 1902 and continues into modern football.
How many Copa del Rey titles has Athletic won compared to their finals?
Out of those numerous appearances, Athletic has crowned themselves kings of the cup 23 times. This high conversion rate highlights their dominance during specific eras while acknowledging memorable losses along the way.
Does any other club match Athletic's Copa del Rey final record?
No rival team has matched their frequency in arriving at the championship match over such a long period. Their position as the active record holder confirms they are unmatched in this specific achievement.
What era does Athletic Bilbao's Copa del Rey final record cover?
This statistic spans from the early 20th century to today, representing over 100 years of competition. It shows their sustained capability to compete at the highest level regardless of changing football trends.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in the Athletic Bilbao universe
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