Lower-Division Clubs Aim for Copa del Rey Upsets Against La Liga Giants

As of October 28th, 2025, the first round of Spain's prestigious Copa del Rey knockout competition is set to kick off this week, with matches scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. While the early rounds of the tournament do not include the country's top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Club, who will be competing in the Spanish Super Cup in January, the format still promises plenty of excitement.

The unique structure of the Copa del Rey places the team from the lower division as the home side, meaning that La Liga clubs will be playing the first two rounds away from their own stadiums. This setup increases the likelihood of potential upsets, offering fans of smaller clubs the rare opportunity to see top-flight teams compete on grounds that often do not meet the standards of the first division.

Coaches from the La Liga teams may approach the Copa del Rey in different ways. Some may view it as a chance to give playing time to squad players who have not been regular starters so far this season, while others, particularly those whose teams are struggling near the bottom of the league table, may see the competition as an unwelcome distraction they could do without.