Definition
The 2020–21 Magyar Kupa refers to the 81st season of Hungary's annual football (soccer) knockout competition, known as the Magyar Kupa (Hungarian Cup), which determines the national cup champion and allocates a berth in European competition.
Overview
The 2020–21 Magyar Kupa began in August 2020 and concluded in May 2021. It featured clubs from various divisions of the Hungarian football league system, including the top-tier Nemzeti Bajnokság I (NB I), as well as lower-division and amateur teams. The tournament operated on a single-elimination basis, with matches progressing through multiple rounds to the final. The winner of the competition qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League, provided they had not already secured European qualification through league performance.
MTK Budapest won the 2020–21 Magyar Kupa, defeating Puskás Akadémia FC 2–1 in the final held on May 3, 2021, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. This marked MTK Budapest's first cup victory since 1999 and qualified them for the second qualifying round of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League.
Etymology/Origin
"Magyar Kupa" translates from Hungarian as "Hungarian Cup." The competition was first established in 1909, with interruptions during certain periods, including the early years of World War II and the 1950s due to political reorganization of Hungarian football. The competition was reinstated in 1959 and has since remained a principal domestic cup competition in Hungary.
Characteristics
- Format: Single-elimination knockout tournament.
- Eligibility: Open to clubs from all levels of the Hungarian football league system.
- Final Venue: Typically held at a major stadium in Hungary; the 2021 final was played at Puskás Aréna.
- European Qualification: The winner earns a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
- Season Timing: The 2020–21 edition occurred during the global COVID-19 pandemic, with matches played under adjusted health protocols, though the tournament completed without major interruptions.
Related Topics
- Magyar Labdarúgó Szövetség (MLSZ) – The Hungarian Football Federation, which organizes the competition.
- Nemzeti Bajnokság I – The top professional football league in Hungary, whose teams participate in the Magyar Kupa.
- UEFA Europa Conference League – The European competition for which the cup winner qualifies.
- Puskás Aréna – The national stadium of Hungary and frequent host of the Magyar Kupa final.
- Hungarian football history – The broader context of domestic football competitions in Hungary.