Scottish Cup

About Scottish Cup

Scottish Cup History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage

The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup, or Scottish Cup, is an annual knockout football cup competition open to all full and associate member clubs of the Scottish Football Association (SFA). Founded in 1873, it is the second oldest football tournament in history, following the English FA Cup.

The Scottish Cup season typically runs from August to May, with over 100 teams competing yearly, though the number of participants varies. The tournament kicks off with one or two preliminary rounds, depending on the number of entrants, before the competition proper begins with 102 teams in the first round.

The Scottish Cup consists of five rounds, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. It boasts a single-elimination format, with extra time and penalty shootouts used in case of a draw, as there are no second legs or replays.

Teams from the Scottish Championship (the second division) and League One (third division) enter in the third round, while clubs from the Scottish Premiership receive a bye to the fourth round. Like the FA Cup in England, the Scottish Cup champion qualifies for the UEFA Europa League. If the winner has already qualified through the league, the spot goes to the highest-placed Scottish Premiership team that has not qualified rather than the cup runner-up.

Scottish football clubs Celtic and Rangers have dominated this competition, winning more trophies and reaching more finals than any other clubs in the Scottish Cup’s first 150 years. Additionally, Queen’s Park enjoyed early success, winning the first three Scottish Cup editions and securing six of the first ten titles.