The Copa del Rey draw produced 56 first-round matches, with 112 of the 116 teams in this edition taking part from the opening round. The four Supercopa de España teams are exempt: FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético and Real Sociedad. Among the eye-catching pairings are Real Betis at CDA Navalcarnero, Villarreal at CD Manacor and Valencia away to CFUE Tavernes de la Valldigna.
Regional ties across the draw
Rafael Louzán, quoted by Europa Press in Spanish, said: "In recent years this tournament is being lived as a true party, as a party in which we are all equal, we start from regional football and go all the way to Primera División."
That is the tone the draw leaned into. Louzán also thanked the clubs, the people who help prepare the grounds and the state security forces and bodies involved in staging the competition. He added that all the communities of Spain will be represented and wished them luck, passion and respect.
The derby between Xerez CD and Cádiz CF returns 18 years later, which is the fixture with the clearest pull in the first round. It gives the draw a local edge beyond the bigger clubs going away from home, and it brings back a meeting that has been missing from the Cup since 2008.
The away trips for the top-flight sides
Real Betis arrive with some momentum, having won four of their last five matches. Villarreal have three defeats in their last five, while Valencia have lost four of their last five. Those runs frame why the draw felt awkward for the three top-flight clubs that landed on the road.
The details of the venues make the ties feel properly Cup-like. Betis go to the Mariano González, Villarreal visit the Estadio Na Capellera and Valencia travel to Tavernes de la Valldigna.
The first round is set for 27, 28 and 29 October, and the best hook in the draw is still the return of Xerez CD against Cádiz CF after 18 years.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
