Supercopa Argentina

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Lore & Background

The idea of an Argentine 'Supercup' came up in 2012 when the Argentine Football Association (AFA), in an attempt to bring innovation to the current system, established a competition that would be contested by champions of Primera División and Copa Argentina, taking inspiration from European cups. The first Supercopa was held that same year when Boca Juniors (champion of Copa Argentina relaunched in 2011) faced Arsenal de Sarandí (champion of 2012 Torneo Clausura) at Estadio Bicentenario in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca. After the match ended in a 0–0 draw, Arsenal won 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out, which gave the club its first national cup ever. Goalkeeper Cristian Campestrini was Arsenal's most valuable player after stopping three penalties. For the second edition in 2012, AFA modified its statute to allow winner of 2013 Copa Campeonato (also named 'Superfinal') to play against the winner of Copa Argentina. The 'Superfinal' was a short-lived national cup contested by champions of Inicial and Final tournaments to decide the champion of the entire season. Although Copa Campeonato was in fact a national cup, the 2013 edition won by Vélez Sársfield defeating Newell's Old Boys was considered by AFA as a league title, therefore Vélez Sársfield played the Supercopa as Primera División champion. As the 2019–20 Copa Argentina edition had been delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic (it ended in December 2021, being won by Boca Juniors) the AFA did not held the 2020 Supercopa. Instead, the Association chose to held the 2021 edition, scheduling it for March 2022. Nevertheless, the match was not played due to scheduling problems. In October 2022, it was announced that the Supercopa will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after an agreement between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the local Sports Council which includes four editions of the competition (up to 2026). Two months later, AFA announced that the winner of Trofeo de Campeones (Racing in 2022) would contest the tournament leaving the winner of Copa Argentina (Patronato in 2022) out of the competition. No reasons were given after the decision. Finally the AFA created an international version of Supercopa Argentina named 'Supercopa Internacional' to be held in Abu Dhabi to fulfil the previous commitment, contested between winners of Primera División and Trofeo de Campeones. On the other hand, th

In Their Own Story

The competition evolved significantly after its inception. For the second edition in 2012, the AFA modified statutes to allow the winner of the 2013 Copa Campeonato (Superfinal) to play against the Copa Argentina winner. Vélez Sársfield, who defeated Newell's Old Boys in that Superfinal, was recognized as the Primera División champion for this purpose. Later, scheduling issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2019–20 Copa Argentina until December 2021, causing the AFA to skip the 2020 Supercopa entirely and attempt a 2021 edition in March 2022 that was never played. In October 2022, an agreement with Abu Dhabi's Sports Council promised four editions through 2026, but the format shifted: Racing (Trofeo de Campeones winner) replaced Patronato (Copa Argentina winner) without explanation.

Reader's Guide

The Supercopa Argentina is an annual match contested by the reigning champions of the Primera División and Copa Argentina. The first edition was held in 2012. The competition has undergone changes, including the temporary inclusion of the Copa Campeonato winner and the creation of a separate international version, the Supercopa Internacional, held in Abu Dhabi.

Did You Know?

• The first Supercopa Argentina in 2012 ended 0–0, with Arsenal de Sarandí winning 4–3 on penalties.
• Arsenal de Sarandí's first national cup ever was the 2012 Supercopa Argentina.
• Goalkeeper Cristian Campestrini was Arsenal's most valuable player in the first Supercopa after stopping three penalties.
• The 2020 Supercopa was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the 2019–20 Copa Argentina.
• The 2021 Supercopa was scheduled for March 2022 but was not played due to scheduling problems.