Copa del Rey draw sets 56 matchups for first round

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has conducted the draw for the first round of the Copa del Rey, establishing 56 matchups involving 112 clubs. The matches are scheduled to take place between October 27 and October 29. To minimize travel, teams were distributed into four regional groups based on geographic proximity.

Major La Liga clubs such as Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal, Sevilla, and Valencia will face opponents from lower divisions, including the fifth-tier RFEF III. Notably, the four clubs participating in the Spanish Super Cup—FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Real Sociedad—are exempt from this round and will enter the competition in the Round of 32.

Several high-profile matchups were highlighted, including a historic Gaditano derby between Xerez CD and Cádiz CF, and matchups involving teams like Celta Vigo, Espanyol, and Mallorca. The tournament format for this round consists of single-leg matches, with lower-category teams playing at home. VAR will not be utilized until the Round of 16.