Bolivia Cup. Reserve
The Bolivia Reserve Cup is a national knockout competition run by the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), dedicated to reserve teams from top clubs. It serves as a vital proving ground for young players, offering competitive minutes and exposure akin to the top flight, while nurturing talent pipelines for Primera División sides amid fierce intra-club battles for first-team spots.
History and foundation
Launched in the early 2010s amid FBF's youth development push, the inaugural edition kicked off in 2012. It has since become a fixture, with memorable moments like Blooming's reserve side's fairy-tale run to the 2018 final, toppling giants' backups such as Bolívar and The Strongest—sparking multiple promotions to senior squads. The 2020 edition was paused by COVID-19 but relaunched with enhanced streaming, boosting its visibility.
Tournament format
Featuring 14–16 reserve teams from Primera División and select Nacional B outfits, the tournament begins with round-of-16 single-leg ties on the home team's turf, progressing through quarterfinals and semifinals similarly, culminating in a neutral-venue final often in La Paz or Cochabamba. Spanning 3–4 months with biweekly fixtures, it balances youth development without clashing with senior schedules.
Interesting facts
Matches average 2.8 goals, reflecting the attacking flair of youth football where defenses lag. Top scorer: Juan Carlos Arce (Oriente Petrolero reserves, 15 goals in 2021), now a Nacional Potosí starter. Standouts include Diego Bejarano (ex-Strongest reserves to Bolivia NT) and Enrico Terrazas (Blooming, hat-trick hero in 2019 semis). Over 20 players have graduated to Primera lineups in five years.