Coupe de Nouvelle Alexandrie
 The Coupe d'Or trophy | |
| Countries |
 Nouvelle Alexandrie |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1693 AN |
| Number of teams | 128 |
| Current champions |
Royal Football Club of Parap (1744 AN) |
| Most titles | Punta Santiago FC (9 titles) |
| Television broadcasters | NBC Sports |
| Website | www.fnaf.nax/coupe |
The Coupe de Nouvelle Alexandrie (officially La Coupe Fédérale) is the premier knockout football cup competition in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Established in 1693 AN, shortly after the formation of the Federation, it is organized by the Fédération Nouvelle Alexandrienne de Football (FNAF) and contested by 128 clubs spanning all tiers of the New Alexandrian football league system.
The competition has been dominated historically by Punta Santiago FC with nine titles, followed by Royal Football Club of Parap with seven. The cup's prestige derives from its unpredictable nature, with notable giant-killing upsets occurring regularly throughout its history.
History
The competition was established in 1693 AN during the initial consolidation of the Federation, with the explicit aim of creating a national sporting event that would help unify the newly established country. The inaugural tournament featured just 32 teams, with Punta Santiago FC claiming the first title after a 3-0 victory over Massina Magic FC.
During the first decade, the competition was dominated by clubs from Alduria and the Wechua Nation, reflecting the economic and population distribution of the early Federation. It wasn't until 1704 AN that a club from outside these regions, Beaufort Braves from North Lyrica, reached the final, eventually losing to Port Karsten Kings.
The competition underwent significant reform in 1723 AN when the number of participating teams was expanded to 128, allowing greater representation from lower-tier leagues. This reform coincided with the establishment of the FNAF Development Fund, which uses a percentage of cup revenue to support grassroots football in underrepresented regions.
The 1730s AN saw the emergence of Royal Football Club of Parap as a dominant force, winning four titles in seven years. Their rivalry with Punta Santiago FC has become the defining narrative of recent editions, with the two clubs meeting in three finals over the past decade.
The cup achieved its highest television audience during the 1739 AN final, which coincidentally occurred shortly after the Spring Crisis of 1739. The match, won by Huancavelica CF in extra time, drew over 28 million viewers and has been credited with helping restore national morale during a turbulent period.
Competition format
Structure and draw
The competition follows a progressive knockout format consisting of seven rounds, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. Teams from Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 receive automatic byes to the third round, while clubs from lower divisions must start from earlier rounds based on their league placement.
The draw for each round is conducted publicly at FNAF headquarters in Cárdenas and broadcast live on NBC Sports. The draw is entirely random with no seeding, which has contributed to the competition's reputation for unpredictability. Teams drawn first receive home advantage, except for the final which is played at a neutral venue.
Replays and extra time
If a match is drawn after 90 minutes, a replay is scheduled at the ground of the away team within ten days. If the replay is also drawn, extra time (two periods of 15 minutes) is played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. However, from the quarter-finals onward, replays are eliminated; drawn matches go directly to extra time and penalties.
Following player welfare concerns, the FNAF implemented a rule change in 1738 AN limiting replays to one per tie, with subsequent drawn matches being decided by extra time and penalties.
Venues
Early rounds are played at the home grounds of one of the competing teams, determined by the initial draw. The semi-finals traditionally take place at major regional stadiums selected to minimize travel for both sets of supporters.
Since 1710 AN, the final has been hosted at the Estadio Real in Cárdenas, though there have been exceptions. During the the Estadio Real renovation (1728 AN-1731 AN), finals were held at Estadio Metropolitano in Punta Santiago.
Trophy and awards
The Coupe d'Or
The winners receive the famous "Coupe d'Or" (Golden Cup), designed by acclaimed sculptor Pierre Dupont in collaboration with Jean Brown, the first president of the FNAF. Standing 72 cm tall and weighing 8.5 kg, the trophy is made of 18-karat gold with a black Keltian marble base.
The trophy features intricate engravings representing all regions of Nouvelle Alexandrie, with the golden sphere at its center symbolizing national unity. The black marble base contains inscribed names of all previous winners.
Unlike many sporting trophies, the original Coupe d'Or has never been replaced and remains in use today, making it one of the oldest continuously awarded trophies in New Alexandrian sport. Winners keep the trophy for one year before returning it to the FNAF, receiving a scaled replica for permanent display.
Additional awards
Since 1732 AN, the tournament has presented additional awards:
- Golden Boot - Awarded to the top goalscorer;
- Golden Glove - Awarded to the best goalkeeper;
- Player of the Tournament - Voted by a panel of sports journalists;
- Goal of the Tournament - Selected by public vote from a shortlist.
Records and statistics
Most successful clubs
Individual records
Notable upsets
Cultural significance
The Coupe de Nouvelle Alexandrie transcends sport as a significant cultural institution. Final day is an unofficial national holiday, with viewership regularly exceeding 25 million across television and streaming platforms. The tournament has featured prominently in New Alexandrian literature and film, including the acclaimed documentary "Against All Odds" (1734 AN), which chronicled Aymara Wanderers' improbable cup run.
The competition holds particular importance as a unifying national event following the Federation's establishment. Historian Maria Santiago noted in her seminal work "Nation Building Through Sport" (1729 AN) that the cup was instrumental in forging a shared national identity during the early consolidation period, as regional rivalries were channeled into peaceful sporting competition.
For smaller clubs, a successful cup run can transform their financial outlook. When Ciudad Oriental reached the quarter-finals in 1735 AN, their revenue increased by 415%, enabling infrastructure investments that supported their subsequent rise through the league system.
Recent finals
Broadcasting
Broadcast rights for the Coupe de Nouvelle Alexandrie are currently held by NBC Sports in a deal worth 185 million écus annually (1740 AN–1745 AN). All matches from the fifth round onward are televised live, with selected games from earlier rounds also broadcast. Digital streaming rights are shared between NBC's platform and the FNAF's official app.
International broadcast agreements cover 42 countries, with the final broadcast in 26 languages. The competition has seen consistent growth in international viewership, particularly in Constancia, Natopia, and Oportia.
