About Bulgarian Cup

The Bulgarian Cup was introduced in 1981 and eventually became the country’s primary domestic cup competition. Initially, it existed alongside the Soviet Army Cup, but it quickly gained importance and recognition, especially as Bulgarian football began to modernize in the late socialist period. The competition adopted a standard knockout format, similar to other European domestic cups.

During the transitional years of the 1980s, both cups were contested, but the Bulgarian Cup increasingly became the more prestigious of the two. After 1990, it officially replaced the Soviet Army Cup as the main national knockout tournament. It also became the competition through which Bulgarian clubs could qualify for European tournaments, further increasing its significance.

In the modern era, the Bulgarian Cup remains a central part of the domestic football calendar. It includes clubs from all professional and many amateur levels, maintaining the traditional knockout spirit. Today, it operates alongside the First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) and continues to provide opportunities for both top teams and underdogs to achieve national success.