Copa del Rey Mapfre 26-27 begins without defending champion Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad, defending champions, skip the early rounds and enter in the Round of 16 on December 15-17; Atlético, Barcelona and Real Madrid also exempt.

The 123rd edition of the Copa del Rey Mapfre begins Tuesday with the traditional first round, featuring 56 single-leg ties across three days between top-flight and second-division clubs against regional and lower-tier opponents.

Real Sociedad, the defending champions after winning last April's final at La Cartuja, will not participate in the opening rounds. As reigning winners, they have earned the right to enter the competition in the Round of 16 (December 15-17), where they will also receive preferential seeding to face weaker remaining opponents. Atlético Madrid (runners-up), Barcelona and Real Madrid are similarly exempt, having qualified for the Supercopa via league position.

Real Sociedad will not compete in the second round draw in early December. The last time they enjoyed this privilege was in the 2019-20 season, when they entered in the Round of 16 but were eliminated 3-1 at home by Real Betis in their second match.