Wikipedia - Taça de Portugal

The Taça de Portugal (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈtasɐ ðɨ puɾtuˈɣal]; lit.'Cup of Portugal') is an annual association football competition and the premier knockout tournament in Portuguese football. For sponsorship reasons, it has been known as Taça de Portugal Placard since the 2015–16 season. Organised by the Portuguese Football Federation since it was first held in 1938, the competition is open to professional and amateur clubs from the top-four league divisions. Matches are played from August–September to May–June, and the final is traditionally held at the Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, near Lisbon. The winners qualify for the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (or the runners-up, in case the winners are also the league champions) and the UEFA Europa League (unless they already qualify for the UEFA Champions League through league placing).

Before 1938, a similar competition was held since 1922 under the name Campeonato de Portugal (English: Championship of Portugal), which determined the national champions from among the different regional championship winners. The establishment of the Primeira Liga, a nationwide league-based competition, as the official domestic championship in 1938, led to the conversion of the Campeonato de Portugal into the main domestic cup competition, under its current designation. In fact, the trophy awarded to the Portuguese Cup winners is the same that was awarded to the Campeonato de Portugal winners, although titles in each competition are counted separately.

The first winners of the Taça de Portugal were Académica, who defeated Benfica 4–3 in the 1939 final. Benfica are the most successful team in the competition, with 26 trophies in 38 final appearances. Porto are the current holders, after beating Sporting CP 2–1 in the 2024 final to secure their 20th and third-consecutive title in the competition.

History

Replica of the Taça de Portugal trophy first awarded to Académica de Coimbra in 1939.

The first incarnation of a Portuguese Cup began in 1912, as an invitational tournament organized by SC Império; it was named after the organizing club, as "Taça do Império" (not to be confused with a similarly named, but unrelated, Taça Império - the one-off trophy for the inaugural match at the National Stadium on 10 June 1944). Because of its closed format, with very few clubs taking part, the Portuguese Federation does not recognise it as a true "national cup"; it ended in 1918.

The inaugural season of the "Campeonato de Portugal" (Championship of Portugal) took place in 1921–22, and this competition was played every season until 1937–38. The original format had all the clubs participating in regional leagues, with the regional winners progressing to knock-out rounds, and the ultimate victors named Champions of Portugal. This was the primary tournament in Portugal, until the creation of the round-robin competition in 1934-35 - in fact, the Champions moniker of this early period can be misleading, as the modern concept of "champion" applies to the league champion (i.e., for statistical purposes, the winners of this Campeonato de Portugal are no longer counted among Portuguese League champions). The short period of coexistence between two championships meant considerable confusion, and was pointed as a reason for lack of competitiveness in contemporary international matches - therefore, a revamp was bound to happen.

The success of the older competition meant it was carried over after the reorganization of Football competitions in 1938–39, albeit losing its top status: the (round-robin) league carried the name Campeonato (or, in its longform, "Campeonato Nacional da Primeira Divisão"), and the old Campeonato de Portugal was renamed "Taça de Portugal" (Portuguese Cup) for the 1938–39 season. The Cup soon became the second-most important trophy in Portuguese football.

The Cup is organised by the Portuguese Football Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Futebol) and is played by all teams in the Primeira Liga, Segunda Liga, Liga 3 and Campeonato de Portugal, by the 20 District Championship runners-up and by the 20 District Cup winners. Some extra teams from the District Championships might be invited in order to fill necessary spots. Reserve teams aren't allowed to enter the competition.

Format

As of the 2023–24 season, the cup is composed of 8 rounds (final included), with 1st level clubs joining at the 3rd round, the 2nd level clubs joining at the 2nd round and the 3rd and lower-level clubs competing from the beginning. All rounds are played in a single game, except for the semifinals, which are played over two legs (home and away).

Final venues

The final match has been played at the Estádio Nacional near Lisbon in Jamor every season since 1946, except in 1961 (in a rare occurrence, Estádio das Antas was chosen as a more convenient venue for both Leixões and FC Porto, despite being the home of the latter; an agreement was reached by both teams due to geographical proximity and capacity); in the three years following the Carnation Revolution; in the 1982–83 season, due to FC Porto's pressure. In the years following the Carnation Revolution, the venue for the final match would be the home ground of the team that had won the Portuguese Cup the previous year; however, when Boavista won the Cup twice in a row, its home ground (Estádio do Bessa) was deemed too small and the matches were instead played in Estádio das Antas (FC Porto's former home ground).[]

The Portugal Cup is an annual soccer tournament held in Portugal, showcasing the country's top football talent and teams. It is one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated events in Portuguese football, drawing immense excitement and support from fans across the nation.

The tournament features a thrilling knockout format, where teams from various divisions compete against each other in a bid to claim the coveted Portugal Cup title. It provides a platform for both established and emerging clubs to showcase their skills, tactics, and determination, making for intense and captivating matches.

The Portugal Cup brings together teams from the Primeira Liga, the top tier of Portuguese football, as well as lower division clubs, creating an exciting mix of competition and unpredictability. It offers a unique opportunity for underdogs to challenge and potentially defeat more prominent and established teams, adding an element of surprise and drama to the tournament.

Throughout its history, the Portugal Cup has witnessed numerous memorable moments, including stunning goals, nail-biting penalty shootouts, and remarkable comebacks. The tournament has also served as a breeding ground for future stars, with many young talents using it as a platform to showcase their abilities and attract the attention of scouts and top clubs.

The Portugal Cup not only captivates the attention of football enthusiasts but also unites the entire nation in support of their favorite teams. The stadiums are filled with passionate fans, creating an electric atmosphere that further enhances the excitement and intensity of the matches.

Winning the Portugal Cup is a significant achievement for any team, as it not only brings glory and recognition but also grants them a spot in the prestigious UEFA Europa League, providing an opportunity to compete against other top European clubs.

Overall, the Portugal Cup is a thrilling and highly competitive soccer tournament that showcases the best of Portuguese football. It combines skill, passion, and determination, making it a must-watch event for both football enthusiasts and casual fans alike.