About Tsar's Cup

The Tsar’s Cup was the first official national cup competition in Bulgaria, introduced in 1938 during the monarchy period of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. It functioned as a knockout tournament and coexisted with the national championship, giving clubs an additional opportunity to compete for a major national trophy. The format followed a classic elimination system, with matches played over single legs or occasionally replays.

This competition represented one of the earliest attempts to establish a structured domestic cup in Bulgarian football. It brought together clubs from different regions, similar to the pre-1948 championship system, and helped increase nationwide interest in the sport. Winning the Tsar’s Cup was considered a prestigious achievement, though it did not yet carry the same long-term continuity as later competitions.

The tournament was discontinued after 1944 following major political changes in Bulgaria, including the end of the monarchy. As the country transitioned into a socialist state, football structures were reorganized, and the Tsar’s Cup was replaced by new competitions aligned with the ideology and organization of the communist regime.