The Road to Seville Is Set

The Luis Aragonés Hall was dressed for the occasion as it hosted the joint draw for the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey Mapfre and the Copa de la Reina Iberdrola. Following the women’s draw, attention turned to the Copa del Rey.

The ceremony opened with a special artistic performance by living art creator Diego Zappa, who gradually brought to life the skyline of Seville — host city of the Copa final — as the event unfolded.

With the artist sketching freehand on a blank canvas, the draw got underway. The Copa del Rey Mapfre now has a clearly defined route towards the final, which will be played at La Cartuja Stadium on the third weekend of April. All roads lead to the Andalusian capital, and the four remaining contenders stand just one step away from the grand finale.

FC Barcelona, Athletic Club, Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad all know what it means to lift the most historic trophy in Spanish football. Barcelona are the competition’s most successful club with 32 titles, the latest secured last season against Real Madrid CF. Athletic Club follow closely with 24 trophies, having claimed their most recent crown in 2024 against RCD Mallorca. Atlético de Madrid are chasing an eleventh title and a return to Copa glory for the first time in thirteen years, while Real Sociedad — two-time winners — last lifted the trophy in 2020 after defeating Athletic Club at La Cartuja.

With Atlético de Madrid legend Milinko Pantić and Real Sociedad icon Xabi Prieto acting as the draw’s ‘innocent hands’, fate paired Atlético de Madrid with FC Barcelona, and Athletic Club with Real Sociedad. Rojiblancos and blaugrana will renew last season’s semi-final clash, a goal-filled tie that saw Barcelona progress 5–4 on aggregate. The other semi-final will be decided by a Basque derby, with a place in Seville at stake.

The Copa del Rey Mapfre semi-finals will be played over two legs. The first legs will take place between 10 and 12 February at the Metropolitano and San Mamés, with the return fixtures scheduled for the first week of March at the Camp Nou and the Reale Arena (Anoeta).

In less than a month, the two finalists will be confirmed ahead of the showpiece final, set to be staged on the weekend of 18–19 April at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville — another major celebration of Spanish football.

The event was attended by one player from each of the semi-finalists: Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atlético de Madrid), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad) and Nico Serrano (Athletic Club).

Copa del Rey Mapfre Semi-final Draw: