Copa del Rey Final 1908 vs Español

Lore & Background

Since the first final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, 121 single-match finals have taken place. The 1904 final was not held because of a dispute over who should have faced Athletic Bilbao; the tournament was abandoned and Athletic Bilbao were awarded the title by default. In 1910 and 1913 two parallel tournaments, both eventually recognised, and finals were played due to the rivalry between Federación Española de Clubs de Football and the Unión Española de Clubs de Foot-bal. The finals did not take place in 1937 and in 1938 due to the impact of the Spanish Civil War. The 2020 final—due to have taken place in the April of that year between Basque clubs Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad—was rescheduled to April 2021 in the hope the match could have been played with spectators in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four finals were replayed after the first games ended in a draw, with 26 others going to extra time and eight of those requiring a penalty shoot-out to decide a winner.

Reader's Guide

As of 2026, 36 clubs have competed in the final, with 15 of them winning the tournament at least once. On 18 occasions, the winning team also won La Liga in the same season, thus making a domestic double. Barcelona are the only team to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in the same year, having done so twice in 2009 and 2015. Barcelona hold the record for the most wins and most final appearances, with 32 wins from 43 total appearances. Real Madrid hold the record for the most finals lost (21). Of the teams who have participated in more than one final, Español de Madrid and Celta Vigo share the worst win–loss record with three defeats and no victories each. Of the victorious teams, Arenas have the lowest percentage of success, winning one out of four finals (25%). Real Sociedad are the reigning champions, having won their fourth title in 2026.

Did You Know?

• Messi and Busquets, along with Barcelona teammate Gerard Piqué and Agustín Gaínza of Athletic Bilbao, share the most Copa del Rey trophies won by a player, with 7.
• Telmo Zarra holds records for consecutive finals scored in (finding the net on each occasion between 1942 and 1945) and the most goals scored in a final (four, in 1950).