Wikipedia - Chinese FA Cup

The Chinese FA Cup (Chinese: 中国足协杯, abbreviated as CFA Cup) is the national knockout cup competition in China organized by the Chinese Football Association. The current holders are Shanghai Port, having beaten Shandong Taishan in 2024 for their first title.

History

The competition started as the Chinese National Football Championship (Chinese: 全国足球锦标赛) in 1956. It was reorganized after the Cultural Revolution and used the name Chinese FA Cup for the first time in 1984. It was scrapped for the 6th National Games of China in 1987, and was reorganized again as the Chinese National Cup Winners' Cup (Chinese: 全国足球优胜者杯赛) between 1990 and 1992 as the qualifiers for the Asian Cup Winners' Cup.

The current format of the FA Cup began in the 1995 season following the establishment of the professional football league in China. The cup was temporary scrapped in 2007 due to the Chinese Football Association's strategy for the 2008 Summer Olympics, and returned in 2011.

The China FA Cup, officially known as the Chinese Football Association Cup, is a prestigious knockout tournament that showcases the best of Chinese football. Established in 1956, the tournament features clubs from various tiers of the Chinese football league system, including the top-flight Chinese Super League, the China League One, and lower divisions.

The competition is known for its thrilling matches and the potential for underdog teams to challenge more established clubs, making it a fan-favorite event in the football calendar. Teams compete in a single-elimination format, with matches played in a home-and-away format until the final, which is held at a neutral venue.

The China FA Cup not only offers clubs the chance to win silverware but also provides a pathway to continental competition, as the winner qualifies for the AFC Champions League. With passionate fan support, intense rivalries, and a rich history, the China FA Cup continues to be a highlight of the Chinese football season, celebrating the spirit of competition and the love of the game.