About Hrvatski Nogometni Kup

The Croatian Football Cup (Hrvatski nogometni kup), also known as Rabuzin’s Sun, is the main national knockout football competition in Croatia and the second most important domestic tournament after the HNL league. It was established in 1992 following the breakup of Yugoslavia and the creation of an independent Croatian football system. The competition is organized by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and typically involves 48 teams from different levels of Croatian football, including top-tier clubs and regional cup winners.

The tournament follows a knockout format, starting with preliminary rounds and progressing through the round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a single-match final. In earlier years, some rounds and even finals were played over two legs, but the modern format is mostly single elimination. The winner of the Croatian Cup qualifies for the UEFA Europa League (or Europa Conference League depending on league and cup outcomes), making it an important route into European competitions for Croatian clubs.

Historically, the competition has been dominated by the country’s biggest clubs, especially Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split, which together account for the majority of titles and finals. However, several other clubs have also won the trophy, including Rijeka, Osijek, and Inter Zaprešić, showing that upsets are possible in knockout football. The cup is also known for its tradition, strong regional participation, and its symbolic trophy called “Rabuzin’s Sun,” which has become one of the most recognizable symbols in Croatian football.