BTV Cup
The BTV Cup is a prominent national cup competition in Bulgarian football, organized by the Bulgarian Television broadcaster BTV in partnership with the Bulgarian Football Union. It features clubs from the top flight, First Professional League, and Second League, giving underdogs a real shot at glory against the elite. Known for its electric atmosphere and frequent upsets, it captivates fans across the country.
History and foundation
Launched in 2012 as BTV's initiative to boost football viewership, the inaugural edition was claimed by Ludogorets Razgrad. Memorable moments include Lokomotiv Plovdiv's 3-1 shock over CSKA Sofia in 2015 and Botev Plovdiv's triumph in 2018. The 2020 edition was paused due to the pandemic but resumed with enhanced protocols. Over a decade, Ludogorets has lifted the trophy four times, cementing their dominance.
Tournament format
It's a knockout format with 32 teams: all 16 from the Parva Liga, eight each from Vtora and Treta Liga. Early rounds are single-leg ties on lower teams' home grounds, with replays for draws. From the round of 16, it's two-legged aggregate scores, culminating in a one-off final on a neutral venue, typically Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia. The tournament spans September to May.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match stand at 2.7, peaking at 3.2 in preliminary rounds due to attacking flair. Top scorers include Kiril Despodov (15 for Ludogorets) and Martin Minchev (12 for Botev). Standout players: Dimitar Iliev, a Vitosha Plovdiv icon, and Stanislav Ivanov from Lokomotiv. The cup has launched careers of young strikers from lower divisions into top clubs.