Copa del Rey final date changed: Barcelona just five goals from Seville…
Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad are in pole position to reach the Copa final, which has been moved from its original date.
It’s official. The 2026 Copa del Rey final will be played Saturday, April 18, at 3 p.m. ET at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. The Spanish Football Federation confirmed the date Wednesday after consulting with the semifinalist clubs and Spain’s royal household, one of the final pieces that needed to be finalized.
The announcement brings clarity to a scheduling saga that has generated weeks of debate across Spanish soccer.
Why the Copa del Rey final date changed
The final was originally set for April 25. However, that weekend clashes with two massive events in southern Spain: Seville’s iconic April Fair and the Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP race in nearby Jerez.
Hosting three large-scale events across the same region at the same time raised logistical and security concerns, prompting officials to move the match forward a week.
The April 25 weekend will now be reserved for Matchday 32 of LaLiga, Spain’s top division, adding another layer to an already packed domestic calendar.
A familiar stage in Seville
The final will once again be held at La Cartuja Stadium, a venue that has become the regular home of the Copa del Rey final in recent years. Located in Seville, the stadium has hosted multiple high-profile Spanish national team matches and domestic cup finals.
With the date now locked in, attention turns back to the field as Spain’s top clubs battle for a spot in one of European soccer’s most storied domestic finals.
Barcelona’s face huge task to reach Copa final
Atlético Madrid lead Barcelona 4-0 and Real Sociedad are 1-0 up on Athletic Club after the first legs of the semifinals, played on February 11 and 12. The second legs are scheduled for March 3 and 4.
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