UEFA Regions' Cup

Last updated
UEFA Regions' Cup
UEFA Regions' cup logo.svg
Organising body UEFA
Founded1996;29 years ago (1996)
Region Europe
Number of teamsUp to 53 (qualifiers)
8 (finals)
Current champions Flag of Spain.svg Aragon (1st title)
Website uefa.com/regionscup
Soccerball current event.svg 2025 UEFA Regions' Cup

The UEFA Regions' Cup is a football competition for amateur teams in Europe, run by UEFA. It was held for the first time in 1999 and has been played biennially since. The 2025 champions are the Aragon team from Spain.

Contents

The competition was created in 1996 as there was no European level competition for amateur teams. The UEFA Amateur Cup, a previous attempt to organise a continental competition for amateurs, had run from 1966 to 1978, but ceased due to lack of interest from both the public and amateur teams themselves. In contrast to today's Regions' Cup, in which amateur regions are represented, the previous competition was for representative amateur national teams.

Each UEFA member nation may enter one representative amateur team into the competition, with regions having to win a domestic amateur competition (such as the FA Inter-League Cup) in order to qualify.

The first two finals were won by teams from the host nation. Thus far, Spain has been the most successful nation in the competition, with its representatives winning four of the thirteen editions.

Format

All of the 55 UEFA-affiliated associations are eligible to submit a team to compete in the Regions' Cup, provided they hold a domestic qualifying competition to decide which team will represent that nation. Smaller member nations, however, are permitted to enter a representative national side. 8 associations have never entered a team as of the 2025 Regions' Cup: Austria, Denmark, Norway, Kosovo, Cyprus, Iceland, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.

Teams were entered by 32 nations for the inaugural tournament in 1999 and competed in one qualifying round. As interest in the tournament grew over the years, the qualifying stage was enlarged and an extra group round added in 2005, scrapping the playoffs added in 2001.

The preliminary round consists of a small number of teams split into groups, with the best from each group being included in the draw for the intermediary round. In the intermediary round, the teams are placed into eight groups of four teams. The teams in each group play each other once and the team finishing top of the group qualifies for the Regions' Cup finals. The eight group winners are placed into two groups of four for the final tournament and the winners of these two final groups, after each team has played one another once, play in the final, with the winners being crowned champions. Third place is shared between the two teams which finish second in their respective groups.

One aspect of the Regions' Cup that is different from most other international club tournaments is the hosting of games. As teams play each other once in the preliminary and intermediary rounds, in contrast to the more common two-legged fixtures, each group has all its matches held in one particular region. For example, in the 2009 tournament, all the preliminary Group 1 matches were played in San Marino. Another unusual feature of the Regions' Cup is the choice of host for the final tournament. In most football tournaments, the host nation or city is decided by the governing body before qualification begins. In the Regions' Cup, however, the host is chosen only after most of the eight finalist teams have qualified, with one of the qualified regions selected as host.

Results

EditionYearHostsWinnersScoreRunners-upBronze medalists
11999
details
Flag of Italy.svg Italy Flag of Italy.svg
Veneto
3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Flag of Spain.svg
Madrid
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Prague
Flag of Ukraine.svg
Kyiv Oblast
22001
details
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Central Moravia
2–2
4–2 ( p )
Flag of Portugal.svg
Braga
Flag of Spain.svg
Madrid
Flag of Bulgaria.svg
Plovdiv
32003
details
Flag of Germany.svg Germany Flag of Italy (2003-2006).svg
Piedmont-Aosta Valley
2–1 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg
Maine
Flag of Hungary.svg
Szabolcs Gabona
Flag of Germany.svg
Württemberg
42005
details
Flag of Poland.svg Poland Flag of Spain.svg
Basque Country
1–0 Flag of Bulgaria.svg
South-West Sofia
Flag of Ukraine.svg
Kzeso
Flag of Slovakia.svg
Central Slovakia
52007
details
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria Flag of Poland.svg
Lower Silesia
2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Flag of Bulgaria.svg
South-East Region
Flag of Portugal.svg
Aveiro
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg
Tuzla Canton
62009
details
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia Flag of Spain.svg
Castile and León
2–1 Flag of Romania.svg
Oltenia
Flag of Russia.svg
Privolzhie
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
Kempen
72011
details
Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal Flag of Portugal.svg
Braga
2–1 Flag of Ireland.svg
Leinster & Munster
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Zlín
Flag of Serbia.svg
Belgrade
82013
details
Flag of Italy.svg Italy Flag of Italy.svg
Veneto
0–0
5–4 ( p )
Flag of Spain.svg
Catalonia
Flag of Hungary.svg
Eastern Region
Flag of Belarus.svg
Isloch
92015
details
Flag of Ireland.svg Republic of Ireland Flag of Ireland.svg
Eastern Region
1–0 Flag of Croatia.svg
Zagreb
Flag of Turkey.svg
Ankara
Flag of Germany.svg
Württemberg
102017
details
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Flag of Croatia.svg
Zagreb
1–0 Flag of Ireland.svg
Munster/Connacht
Flag of Turkey.svg
Istanbul
Flag of Russia.svg
Rostov Oblast
112019
details
Flag of Germany.svg Germany Flag of Poland.svg
Lower Silesia
3–2 Flag of Germany.svg
Bavaria
Flag of Turkey.svg
Istanbul
Flag of Spain.svg
Castile and León
2021
details
N/ACancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Europe [1] Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
122023
details
Flag of Spain.svg Spain Flag of Spain.svg
Galicia
3–1 Flag of Serbia.svg
Belgrade
Flag of Germany.svg
Bavaria
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Zlín
132025
details
Flag of San Marino.svg San Marino Flag of Spain.svg
Aragon
1–0 ( a.e.t. ) Flag of Poland.svg
Lower Silesia
Flag of Croatia.svg
Rijeka
Flag of Serbia.svg
Vojvodina

Finals

Veneto Flag of Italy.svg 3–2 (a.e.t.) Flag of Spain.svg Madrid
Borriero Soccerball shade.svg<45'
Giaretti Soccerball shade.svg>45'
De Toni Soccerball shade.svg120'
Report Moreno Soccerball shade.svg9'
Sanz Pascual Soccerball shade.svg71'
Stadio Comunale delle Terme, Abano Terme
Attendance: 700 [2]
Referee: Guido Wildhaber (Switzerland)

Braga Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2–2 (a.e.t.) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Central Moravia
Ferreira Soccerball shade.svg55'
Freitas Soccerball shade.svg84'
Report David Soccerball shade.svg12'
Svach Soccerball shade.svg90+4' (pen.)
Penalties
2–4
Letná Stadion, Zlín
Attendance: 2,820 [2]
Referee: Tony Chapron (France)

Maine Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 1–2 Flag of Italy (2003-2006).svg Piedmont–Aosta Valley
Kharraz Soccerball shade.svg83' Report Borgna Soccerball shade.svg24', 29'
Albstadion, Heidenheim
Attendance: 800 [2]
Referee: Kris Hermans (Belgium)

South-West Sofia Flag of Bulgaria.svg 0–1 Flag of Spain.svg Basque Country
Report Arroyo Soccerball shade.svg33'
KS Proszowianka Stadium, Proszowice
Attendance: 1,300 [3]
Referee: Novo Panić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

South-East Region Flag of Bulgaria.svg 1–2 (a.e.t.) Flag of Poland.svg Lower Silesia
Stoyanov Soccerball shade.svg66' Report Sudoł Soccerball shade.svg78'
Jaskułowski Soccerball shade.svg114'
Hadzhi Dimitar Stadium, Sliven
Attendance: 3,500 [4]
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)

Oltenia Flag of Romania.svg 1–2 Flag of Spain.svg Castile and León
Sîrbu Soccerball shade.svg25' Report Ramírez Soccerball shade.svg20'
Robles Soccerball shade.svg81'

Braga Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2–1 Flag of Ireland.svg Leinster & Munster
Nobre Soccerball shade.svg62'
Fortunato Soccerball shade.svg84'
Report O'Sullivan Soccerball shade.svg68'
Cidade de Barcelos, Barcelos
Attendance: 1,036 [6]
Referee: Ken Henry Johnson (Norway)

Veneto Flag of Italy.svg 0–0 Flag of Spain.svg Catalonia
Report
Penalties
5–4
Comunale Delle Terme, Abano Terme
Attendance: 800 [7]
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)

Eastern Region Flag of Ireland.svg 1–0 Flag of Croatia.svg Zagreb
David Lacey Soccerball shade.svg10' Report
Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
Attendance: 1,172 [8]
Referee: Nikolaj Hänni (Switzerland)

Zagreb Flag of Croatia.svg 1–0 Flag of Ireland.svg Munster/Connacht
Adžić Soccerball shade.svg26' Report

Bavaria Flag of Germany.svg 2–3 Flag of Poland.svg Lower Silesia
Türk Soccerball shade.svg35' (pen.)
Ekin Soccerball shade.svg90' (pen.)
Report Jaros Soccerball shade.svg41'
Traczyk Soccerball shade.svg47' (pen.)
Bohdanowicz Soccerball shade.svg80' (pen.)
Wacker-Arena, Burghausen
Attendance: 1,224 [10]
Referee: Sebastian Colţescu (Romania)

Galicia Flag of Spain.svg 3–1 Flag of Serbia.svg Belgrade
  • Rial Soccerball shade.svg9'
  • Rey Soccerball shade.svg41' (pen.)
  • Martinez Soccerball shade.svg74'
Report Kolarević Soccerball shade.svg57'
Campo Municipal de A Lomba, Vilagarcía de Arousa
Attendance: 4,085
Referee: Kristoffer Karlsson (Sweden)

Aragon Flag of Spain.svg 1–0 (a.e.t.) Flag of Poland.svg Dolnośląski
Torcal Soccerball shade.svg120+1' Report
Acquaviva Stadium, Acquaviva
Attendance: 248
Referee: Robertas Valikonis (Lithuania)

Titles by country

CountryTitlesRunners-upWinning teamsSecond-placed teams
Flag of Spain.svg Spain 42Basque Country (2005)Madrid (1999)
Castile and León (2009)
Galicia (2023*)Catalonia (2013)
Aragon (2025)
Flag of Italy.svg Italy 30Veneto (1999*, 2013*)None
Piedmont–Aosta Valley (2003)
Flag of Poland.svg Poland 21Lower Silesia (2007, 2019)Lower Silesia (2025)
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland 12Eastern Region (2015*)Leinster & Munster (2011)
Munster/Connacht (2017)
Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal 11Braga (2011*)Braga (2001)
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia 11Zagreb (2017)Zagreb (2015)
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic 10Central Moravia (2001*)None
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 02NoneSouth-West Sofia (2005)
South-East Region (2007*)
Flag of France.svg France 01NoneMaine (2003)
Flag of Romania.svg Romania 01NoneOltenia (2009)
Flag of Germany.svg Germany 01NoneBavaria (2019*)
Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia 01NoneBelgrade (2023)
* = Hosts

See also

References

  1. "UEFA competitions to resume in August". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "UEFA Regions' Cup. All-Time Statistics". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 18 March 2005. Archived from the original on 18 March 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  3. "South-West Sofia vs. Vasca" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 July 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  4. "South-East Region vs. Dolnoslaski" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  5. "Oltenia vs. Castilla y León" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  6. "Braga vs. Leinster" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  7. "Veneto vs. Selección Catalana" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  8. "Eastern Region vs. Zagreb" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  9. "Zagreb vs. Munster/Connacht" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  10. "Bavaria vs. Dolny Śląsk" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.