Chinese FA Cup
The Chinese FA Cup is China's premier knockout football competition, run by the Chinese Football Association (CFA). It features clubs from the top-flight Chinese Super League down to amateur sides, creating a platform for underdogs to challenge the elite and produce thrilling upsets.
History and foundation
Launched in 1956 as the PRC Cup of Cup Winners, it evolved into the modern FA Cup in the 1990s. A landmark moment was Yunnan Yukun's shock 2024 final win over Shanghai Port, epitomizing cup magic. Shanghai Shenhua holds the record with six titles, while giants like Guangzhou Evergrande dominated the 2010s before recent surprises shifted the narrative.
Tournament format
It's a pure knockout format with single-leg ties from the round of 32 onwards. Up to 128 teams enter, spanning all divisions. Quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final are one-off matches decided on the day—no replays, just straight knockout drama.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking in high-stakes clashes. Top scorers include Wu Lei (25 goals) and Elkeson from Shanghai SIPG. Standout players: ex-stars Hulk and Oscar from Guangzhou, plus locals like Tan Long and Wei Shihao. The cup spotlights emerging talents from lower tiers.