The Copa del Rey Enters Its Decisive Stage

Only 16 teams remain standing, all determined to stay alive in the most thrilling tournament in Spanish football. The Copa del Rey Mapfre reaches a crucial moment this week with the round of last sixteen, featuring passionate clashes and historic matchups between clubs with pedigree—teams that have written golden chapters in the history of Spanish football. From Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 January, eight top-level matches will determine the next cut. Let the great Copa celebration begin.

The action gets underway on Tuesday with three high-voltage encounters, all kicking off at 9:00 p.m. RC Deportivo de La Coruña, two-time Copa champions and fighting to return to the top flight, host Atlético de Madrid at Riazor. The visitors boast ten Copa trophies in their cabinet, the most recent won in 2013. The two sides have met three times in the competition, with Atlético advancing on every occasion.

At the same time, the Reino de León will host a true celebration as Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa welcome Athletic Club. The Basque side is one of the great names in the Copa, champions in 2024 and eager to keep their momentum alive in the competition that has brought them the most glory (24 titles). Athletic will also be looking to bounce back after their recent Supercopa semi-final defeat. This will be the fourth Copa meeting between the two teams, with Athletic having won all previous ties.

At Anoeta, Real Sociedad—buoyed by their recent league victory away at Getafe thanks to a stoppage-time goal—will host Osasuna, a team well known for their strong performances in single-leg knockout ties and finalists in the Copa in 2023 after an outstanding run. Coincidentally, this matchup has already taken place in each of the last two seasons, both times ending in victories for Real Sociedad.

On Wednesday, at La Cartuja Stadium—the venue for the final—Real Betis Balompié will face Elche CF, whose season following their return to the top division has been impressive. The Andalusians will need to be alert against the always-interesting approach of the Alicante-based side. This will be the fifth Copa tie between them, with Betis holding the advantage (3–1).

That same day, Alavés and Rayo Vallecano will also compete for a place in the quarter-finals. This will be the first-ever Copa del Rey meeting between the two clubs.

The Carlos Belmonte will be dressed for the occasion as Albacete host Real Madrid. The city is fully behind a match that brings back memories of earlier eras, as Albacete once again enjoy a top-level fixture. This will be the first Copa encounter between the Manchego side and the Madrid giants.

Thursday sees the final clashes of the round. At El Plantío, Burgos take on Valencia in a matchup with just one previous Copa precedent, back in the 1977–78 season, when Valencia claimed a convincing win. Burgos are pushing for the upper positions in the Segunda División, while the visitors are searching for momentum to get their season back on track. Valencia CF have lifted the trophy eight times, most recently in 2019.

The reigning Copa del Rey Mapfre champions, FC Barcelona, travel to Santander to renew another classic Copa fixture against Real Racing Club. Both teams currently sit top of their respective divisions—LaLiga and Segunda—and have already faced each other six times in the history of the competition. El Sardinero will be sold out for a night full of magic.

FIXTURES | COPA DEL REY MAPFRE | ROUND OF 16 | 2025/26 SEASON