Spanish Federation Continues Abolition of Away Goals Rule in Copa del Rey

The Copa del Rey tournament adheres to regulations that prevent away goals from counting double in two-legged ties, a measure officially in place since 2021. Under this system, goals scored by the visiting team no longer provide an advantage in the event of an aggregate draw, thereby ending a historic rule that had been in effect for decades in Spanish football.

This amendment directly applies to the semi-final clashes, which are the only stage in the competition played over two legs. In these ties, if the aggregate score remains level, extra time and then penalty shootouts will determine the winner. This change aims to mirror the decisions made by UEFA in 2021, which were subsequently adopted in most major continental and domestic competitions across Europe.

All other knockout rounds in the tournament are played as single-leg matches, with the game always hosted at the stadium of the lower-division team to ensure fairness. In contrast, the final remains a standalone event held at a neutral venue chosen annually, separate from the two-legged calculations that were previously subject to the away goals rule.