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Copa Colombia
Copa Colombia
Copa Colombia
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Copa BetPlay Dimayor
Founded14 October 1950
Re-established on 14 February 2008
RegionColombia
Teams36
Current championsAtlético Nacional (7th title)
Most championshipsAtlético Nacional (7 titles)
Broadcaster(s)Win Sports, Win+ Fútbol
Websitedimayor.com.co
2025 Copa Colombia

The Copa Colombia (English: Colombia Cup), officially known as Copa BetPlay Dimayor, is an annual football tournament in Colombia. It is contested by the 36 professional clubs affiliated to the División Mayor del Fútbol Profesional Colombiano (DIMAYOR) and is the nation's domestic cup competition, equivalent to the FA Cup in England or the Copa del Rey in Spain.

The Copa Colombia was played for the first time in 1950, and it has been played consecutively since its revival in 2008. Throughout history, different championships have been known under the Copa Colombia name:

  • A double-elimination, knockout tournament parallel to the Colombian league, which was played from 1950–51 to 1952–53.
  • A tournament that was played under a round-robin group format in which teams advanced to a final group, which was also named as Copa Presidente de la República, played from late 1956 to early 1957.[1]
  • The name of a commemorative trophy awarded in 1963, which is not considered a Copa Colombia title.[2]
  • A tournament played in 1981 and 1989, which was part of the league season and awarded bonus points or berths to the final stages of the league tournament.[2]
  • The knockout tournament played by teams in Categoría Primera A and Categoría Primera B, established since 2008.[3]

Atlético Nacional are the current holders, who won their seventh Copa Colombia title against América de Cali, winning the final series by a 3–1 aggregate score. Atlético Nacional are also the most successful club in the competition.

History

[edit]

Copa Colombia in "El Dorado"

[edit]

The Copa Colombia was an idea promoted in 1950 by DIMAYOR at the time known as "El Dorado" due to the boom experienced by football in the country. It emerged as an official tournament to be held annually, independent from the league championship and under a particular knockout format in which teams were divided by proximity into territorial groups of four teams each. Teams faced each other in home-and-away matches to determine the teams that advanced to a stage known as the winners' round. When a team lost two ties it was eliminated, while if it won it played a new round. The worst of the three remaining teams was eliminated, while a new tie was played, called losers' round, to determine the other team that reached the final. Due to the economic power of clubs and the Colombian league at that time, many teams had large payrolls for both tournaments as well as the international games they played. However, the little interest the competition generated among the participants led to delays in the scheduling of games and the first tournament ended in 1951.[4] It was the reason why the next edition was not held until 1952, and its conclusion was again delayed until the following year.

In the period between both editions (1951–52), what turned out to be the early rounds of the 1952–53 edition is mistakenly referred as another edition of the competition due to its double-elimination format.[5] Boca Juniors de Cali (as winners of the winners' round) and Millonarios (who were defeated by Boca Juniors in the winners' round but then went on to win the losers' round) played the final of the 1952–53 edition, which was ultimately won by Millonarios. Following that edition, the tournament was cancelled due to the lack of interest displayed by fans and teams alike.[6]

An attempt to resume it was made in 1956–57: in said third edition, the first phase was played and six teams qualified to play a final hexagonal: Atlético Nacional, Santa Fe, Deportivo Pereira, Boca Juniors de Cali and the ones that would be the top two of said hexagonal: Independiente Medellín and Atlético Bucaramanga; however, the grand final between these two teams was never played, thus the tournament was abandoned and no more editions were played until the 1980s.[7]

Commemorative cup (1963)

[edit]

After consecutively winning the league titles in 1961, 1962 and 1963, Millonarios were granted permanent ownership of the "Copa Colombia" trophy, which should have been awarded to the winner of three editions. As these editions did not come to fruition, Millonarios were awarded the trophy on account of their league success.[8] Although the club counts it as a title, it is not recognized as an official title by DIMAYOR.[5]

In 2017, and through its Twitter account, DIMAYOR included said trophy among those won by manager Gabriel Ochoa Uribe (who coached the club in 1963), without clarifying whether it is an official title.[9]

1980s: Copa Colombia as part of the league tournament

[edit]

In 1981, an event with the same name was held again but with the particularity that it was played by the 10 clubs eliminated from the final quadrangular of the Campeonato Profesional (made up of 14 teams), as an appendix phase of the championship. Firstly, the six teams eliminated in the regular phase participated in a hexagonal from which one team (Independiente Medellín) qualified for the final, with the other finalist (Deportivo Cali) being decided in a quadrangular between the four teams that were eliminated in the semifinal phase. Independiente Medellín won the tournament after beating Deportivo Cali 3–1 in the first leg and a 1–1 draw in the second leg, both played in Medellín. The competition had an incentive for the first time, awarding a spot in the league's final octagonal for the following season, which Independiente Medellín did not need in the end since they ultimately qualified through league performance.[4] In 2014, this tournament was officially recognized by the Colombian Football Federation as part of the tribute that CONMEBOL paid to Independiente Medellín for its 101st anniversary.[10][11]

In 1989, a new Copa Colombia edition was held, again as part of the league championship. It was played between the first and second rounds of the tournament and the points from this competition were added to the league's aggregate table, through which eight teams would qualify for the final stage of the championship. However, that year's tournament was abandoned due to the assassination of referee Álvaro Ortega. The Copa's first stage was played in three regional groups of five teams each, and the top eight in the tournament's table qualified for a knockout stage. Santa Fe won the competition by beating Unión Magdalena in the final, and was awarded 0.5 bonus points.[12] The runners-up, Unión Magdalena, were awarded 0.375 bonus points, whilst semi-finalists Junior and América de Cali were awarded 0.250 and 0.125 bonus points, respectively.[4]

Reinstatement in 2008

[edit]

On 14 February 2008, the 36 member clubs of DIMAYOR approved the holding of a new tournament known as Copa Colombia, integrating the teams competing in the Primera A and Primera B tiers of Colombian professional football. In its first editions, it granted the winner a berth into the following season's Copa Sudamericana.[13]

Starting from its 2017 edition, it granted its winner a place in the Copa Libertadores for the following season. The only exception to this was the 2020 edition, which awarded its winner a berth into the 2022 Copa Sudamericana given that the tournament was temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not end within the calendar year. Qualification for the Copa Libertadores was granted to the winners until the 2023 edition, with the 36 DIMAYOR member clubs deciding that the winners of the 2024 Copa Colombia would qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.[14]

Editions

[edit]
One of the Copa Colombia of the 1950s from the trophy room of Millonarios F.C.

Copa Colombia (1950–1989)

[edit]
Ed. Season Winner Runner-up
1
 1950–51 Boca Juniors de Cali (1) Santa Fe
2
 1952–53 Millonarios (1) Boca Juniors de Cali
3
 1956–57 Abandoned
4
 1981 Independiente Medellín (1) Deportivo Cali
5
 1989 Santa Fe (1) Unión Magdalena

Source: RSSSF[15] (Note: some editions cited in RSSSF as official are not considered official by all sources)[16]

Copa Colombia (2008 – present)

[edit]
Ed. Season Winner Runner-up
Copa Colombia (Copa Postobón)
6
 2008 La Equidad (1) Once Caldas
7
 2009 Santa Fe (2) Deportivo Pasto
8
 2010 Deportivo Cali (1) Itagüí
9
 2011 Millonarios (2) Boyacá Chicó
10
 2012 Atlético Nacional (1) Deportivo Pasto
11
 2013 Atlético Nacional (2) Millonarios
12
 2014 Deportes Tolima (1) Santa Fe
Copa Colombia (Copa Águila)
13
 2015[17] Junior (1) Santa Fe
14
 2016[18] Atlético Nacional (3) Junior
15
 2017[19] Junior (2) Independiente Medellín
16
 2018[20] Atlético Nacional (4) Once Caldas
17
 2019[21] Independiente Medellín (2) Deportivo Cali
Copa Colombia (Copa BetPlay Dimayor)
18
 2020[22] Independiente Medellín (3) Deportes Tolima
19
 2021[23] Atlético Nacional (5) Deportivo Pereira
20
 2022 Millonarios (3) Junior
21
 2023 Atlético Nacional (6) Millonarios
22
 2024 Atlético Nacional (7) América de Cali
23
 2025

Source: RSSSF[15]

Titles by club

[edit]
Club Titles Runners-up Seasons won Seasons runner-up
Atlético Nacional 7 — 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024 —
Millonarios 3 2 1952–53, 2011, 2022 2013, 2023
Independiente Medellín 3 1 1981, 2019, 2020 2017
Santa Fe 2 3 1989, 2009 1950–51, 2014, 2015
Junior 2 2 2015, 2017 2016, 2022
Deportivo Cali 1 2 2010 1981, 2019
Boca Juniors de Cali 1 1 1950–51 1952–53
Deportes Tolima 1 1 2014 2020
La Equidad 1 — 2008 —
Deportivo Pasto — 2 — 2009, 2012
Once Caldas — 2 — 2008, 2018
América de Cali — 1 — 2024
Boyacá Chicó — 1 — 2011
Deportivo Pereira — 1 — 2021
Itagüí — 1 — 2010
Unión Magdalena — 1 — 1989

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Copa Colombia

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Copa Colombia, officially known as the Copa BetPlay DIMAYOR for sponsorship reasons, is the premier knockout competition in , contested annually by the 36 professional clubs affiliated with the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (DIMAYOR). It serves as the country's domestic cup, providing an opportunity for teams from both the top-tier and second-tier to compete for national glory, with the champion earning qualification to the following year's , CONMEBOL's secondary club tournament. Established in 1950 following the inception of professional football in Colombia, the tournament was initially played in a limited format during the early 1950s, with Boca Juniors de Cali claiming the inaugural title after defeating Santa Fe in the final. It operated irregularly through the 1950s and into the 1960s—featuring editions in 1950–51, 1951–52, and 1952–53, along with an abandoned tournament in 1956–57, an unofficial edition in 1963, and controversial editions in 1981 and 1989—before being discontinued amid scheduling conflicts and league priorities. The competition was revived in 2008 under DIMAYOR's modern structure, marking its return as a standardized annual event that has since produced 17 editions through 2024, with the 2025 edition currently underway. The tournament's format emphasizes accessibility and excitement, beginning with Phase IA—a round-robin group stage involving 20 teams divided into four groups of five, where each plays four matches (two home, two away)—and Phase IB, a double-legged round for the remaining 16 teams. The eight qualifiers from each phase advance to Phase II (round of 16), followed by double-legged quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, ensuring high-stakes elimination matches that culminate in a champion determined by aggregate score or penalties if necessary. This structure, updated for 2025 to balance participation across leagues, underscores the cup's role in promoting parity and fan engagement in Colombian football. Atlético Nacional dominates the record with seven titles since the 2008 revival, followed by Millonarios and with three each. The competition not only highlights emerging talents and underdog stories but also integrates with the national calendar, often running parallel to the league seasons from March to December, fostering widespread participation and contributing to the growth of professional .

Overview

Format and rules

The Copa Colombia features a knockout competition structure involving 36 teams, comprising all 20 clubs from and 16 from , all affiliated with the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (DIMAYOR). As of the 2025 edition, the tournament adopts a hybrid format with five phases to balance participation and competitiveness. Phase IA consists of a group stage with 20 seeded teams (12 from the Liga BetPlay and 8 from the Torneo BetPlay) divided into four groups of five, where each team plays four matches (two home, two away) over five dates; the top two teams from each group advance based on points, with tiebreakers determined by goal difference, goals scored, away goals scored, away goals conceded, and, if necessary, a lottery draw by DIMAYOR. Phase IB involves the remaining 16 lower-seeded teams in eight two-legged knockout ties. The 16 advancing teams then progress through standard knockout rounds: the round of 16 (Phase II), quarterfinals (Phase III), semifinals (Phase IV), and final (Phase V), all contested as two-legged home-and-away matches, with the higher seed hosting the return leg. This structure replaces the prior pure knockout setup with staggered entries and byes for top teams in earlier editions. The draw process seeds teams according to their final standings in the preceding Liga BetPlay DIMAYOR I and Torneo BetPlay DIMAYOR, ensuring competitive balance; no byes are granted in the initial phases under the updated format, though top performers benefit from favorable seeding. The competition typically runs from late May to mid-November, aligning with the overlapping domestic league and tournament schedules to minimize fixture congestion, with a minimum 70-hour rest period between matches. As of November 2025, the final is between and . Tiebreakers prioritize the aggregate score across two legs in knockout phases; if level, a penalty shootout is held under IFAB regulations without extra time or away goals. In the group stage, rankings use first, then total goals scored, away goals scored, and away goals conceded. Notable rule evolutions include single-match finals in the tournament's pre-1989 iterations, a post-2008 reinstatement emphasizing two-legged ties throughout, including the final. (VAR) technology was integrated starting in the 2020 edition for enhanced decision-making in critical incidents, expanding to later knockout stages by 2024.

Sponsorship and naming

The Copa Colombia, organized by the División Mayor del Fútbol Profesional Colombiano (DIMAYOR), has featured evolving official names tied to its primary sponsorship agreements, reflecting the tournament's commercial partnerships since its early professional iterations. Launched in 1950 under the simple moniker "Copa Colombia," the competition adopted sponsored titles starting in the . From 2010 to 2017, it was known as the , named after the Colombian manufacturer that secured as part of a broader deal with DIMAYOR covering professional leagues and cups. In 2018, the name shifted to Copa Águila under a short-term sponsorship, before transitioning in 2020 to its current designation, Copa BetPlay Dimayor, backed by BetPlay, an online platform that extended its title rights across DIMAYOR's major competitions through a multi-year agreement renewed in 2023 for an additional six years. These sponsorships not only influence branding but also support qualification incentives that enhance the tournament's appeal. The champion secures direct entry to the group stage of the , CONMEBOL's premier continental club competition, providing a pathway for Colombian teams to international play. Participation is obligatory for all 36 professional clubs under DIMAYOR—20 from the top-tier and 16 from —with no inclusion of amateur sides since the 2008 reinstatement, ensuring broad representation across Colombia's professional football structure. The primary incentive for the champion is qualification to the , with no additional cash prize for the 2025 edition. Broadcasting rights contribute significantly to the tournament's revenue, with matches aired nationally by Win Sports, DIMAYOR's dedicated sports channel, and RCN Television, reaching millions of viewers and generating income through advertising and subscriptions.

History

Origins and early competitions (1950–1960)

The Copa Colombia was established in 1950 by the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (DIMAYOR) as a knockout tournament designed to complement the professional league and provide an additional competitive outlet for clubs. This initiative came shortly after the league's early professional seasons, aiming to foster greater engagement in domestic football amid the rapid growth of the sport in Colombia. The tournament emerged during the "El Dorado" era (1949–1954), a period of unprecedented football prosperity in characterized by high salaries that attracted international stars from and , breaking away from regulations and elevating the league's global profile. The initial format was a double-elimination structure, incorporating regional qualifiers to involve teams from various departments before advancing to national stages, though participation remained limited primarily to professional league sides. The first edition, spanning 1950–1951, culminated in defeating in the final (4-2 first leg, 3-4 second leg; aggregate 7-6), marking the tournament's debut success and highlighting the competitive intensity among Bogotá- and Cali-based clubs. The 1951–1952 edition saw retain the title, defeating Millonarios (2-0 first leg, 1-2 second leg; aggregate 3-2). The 1952–1953 edition saw Millonarios claim victory over (1-0, 3-0; aggregate 4-0), further showcasing the dominance of capital-city teams during this boom. Subsequent attempts faced significant hurdles, including low participation driven by the league's overwhelming priority and the logistical demands of the format, resulting in only three completed editions by the mid-1950s. The 1956–1957 competition, also known as the Copa Presidente de la República, began with a group stage but was abandoned without a declared winner due to waning interest and scheduling conflicts post-. Overall, just four editions were initiated in the decade, reflecting the challenges of sustaining a secondary tournament amid professionalization and the 1951 reintegration with , which curtailed the influx of foreign talent. Despite these limitations, the early Copa Colombia contributed to the cultural surge in football popularity during Colombia's economic upswing of the 1950s, drawing crowds to matches featuring star players and reinforcing the sport's role as a national unifier in urban centers like Bogotá and Cali.

Interruptions and special editions (1961–1989)

Following the 1956–57 edition, the Copa Colombia entered a prolonged hiatus lasting over two decades, with no official tournaments organized from 1958 to 1980 due to the growing emphasis on the professional league as the primary competitive and revenue-generating format. In 1963, amid this suspension, Millonarios was awarded a special commemorative Copa Colombia—not through a competitive tournament but as recognition for securing three consecutive Categoría Primera A titles from 1961 to 1963—allowing the club to retain the trophy permanently. The competition saw no full revivals throughout the and , as DIMAYOR focused resources on expanding and stabilizing the league structure amid financial constraints and logistical challenges in staging a separate national cup. This period marked a shift away from the standalone cup format established in the , reflecting broader administrative priorities to consolidate professional football under a single annual championship. In the , efforts to reintegrate the Copa Colombia emerged as an experimental component of the league's playoff system, blending cup and league elements to boost participation without additional standalone scheduling. The edition functioned as a qualifying phase for the league's octagonal final, contested by eliminated teams from earlier stages; emerged victorious after a 3–1 win and a 1–1 draw against in the decisive matches, though the tournament drew criticism for sparse crowds (often under 500 spectators) and non-traditional venues. No further editions occurred from 1982 to 1988, as the hybrid model failed to gain traction amid ongoing league reforms. The final pre-modern edition in 1989 was similarly embedded within the Apertura and Finalización tournaments, involving 15 teams in a mid-season group stage that awarded bonus points toward league qualification. Santa Fe claimed the title with a 0–0 draw and 2–1 victory over , but the competition's status remained unofficial, and the entire season was suspended after the murder of referee Álvaro Ortega during a match, leaving the league without a declared champion. These interruptions and limited special editions underscored the challenges of maintaining a distinct national cup amid DIMAYOR's evolving governance, ultimately influencing hybrid cup-league integrations across South American s in subsequent decades.

Reinstatement and modern developments (2008–present)

The Copa Colombia was reinstated on February 14, 2008, when the 36 member clubs of DIMAYOR approved its revival during an extraordinary assembly in Bogotá, marking the return of the after a 19-year hiatus. The tournament was structured as an annual open to all professional clubs affiliated with DIMAYOR, with the inaugural modern edition commencing on March 12, 2008, and concluding on November 20. La Equidad emerged as the first champions, defeating 4-3 on aggregate in the final (1-0 first leg, 3-3 second leg), securing their qualification for the 2009 . The format stabilized as a nationwide cup involving the 36 professional teams, featuring an initial group stage followed by single-elimination rounds with two-legged ties from the round of 16 onward, and the winner earning a berth in the . This structure emphasized inclusivity, allowing teams from and B to compete equally against established sides. By 2012, the competition had fully integrated all 36 clubs in a balanced regional grouping system for the preliminary phase, promoting broader participation. Key developments included adjustments to enhance fairness, such as the 2013 implementation of neutral venue considerations for high-stakes matches to reduce home advantage biases, though finals remained primarily two-legged. The tournament faced significant disruptions from the : the 2020 edition, which began in February, was suspended in March and resumed in October 2020, with its final played on February 11, 2021, crowning as champions after a 1–1 draw and 5–4 victory over . The subsequent 2021 edition was adapted into a more compact schedule to accommodate the backlog, starting in April 2021 and wrapping up by November, with winning the final on November 24, 2021 (1-0 second leg vs. ; 5-1 aggregate). In 2023, DIMAYOR reaffirmed the cup winner's direct entry into the group stage of the , solidifying the competition's role in continental qualification pathways. The competition has grown in prominence, with escalating prize pools—reaching approximately 600 million Colombian pesos (around $150,000 USD) for recent winners—and expanded television coverage through networks like Win Sports, boosting visibility and revenue sharing among participants. claimed the 2024 title with a 3-1 aggregate victory over (3-1 first leg, 0-0 second leg), marking their seventh triumph and direct qualification for the 2025 . As of November 17, 2025, the 2025 edition is in the final stage, with and as finalists following semifinal victories ( over Envigado on aggregate 2-1; Nacional over on aggregate 6-2). By the end of 2024, 17 editions had been completed since reinstatement, fostering greater competitiveness by enabling smaller and second-division clubs to challenge top-tier teams, often leading to upsets and increased match attendance across . This inclusivity has contributed to the tournament's status as a vital platform for and national football engagement.

Editions

Pre-reinstatement editions (1950–1989)

The Copa Colombia was contested in five official editions between 1950 and 1989, characterized by sporadic participation due to the era's focus on league play. These tournaments featured a mix of professional clubs, with formats emphasizing knockout stages or group integrations within the . A commemorative edition was also held in 1963, awarded to Millonarios for their three consecutive league titles, though it is not considered official. Early editions from 1950 to 1953 involved 12 to 18 teams in or elimination formats, often with two-legged ties and regional qualifiers to accommodate limited infrastructure. Participation emphasized Bogotá-based and emerging professional sides, with up to 18 clubs in the inaugural tournament. By the , the two revivals integrated elements into the league calendar, using group stages followed by finals among 10 to 15 teams, reflecting efforts to boost mid-season competition without standalone scheduling. The outcomes of these editions are summarized below:
SeasonWinnerRunner-upAggregate ScoreNotes
1950–51Santa Fe7–6 (4–2, 3–4)18 teams; double-elimination
1951–52Millonarios3–2 (2–0, 1–2)16 teams; two-legged
1952–53Millonarios5–0 (2–0, 3–0)12 teams; triangular semifinals
19814–2 (3–1, 1–1)10 teams; league-integrated groups and finals; controversial status due to low attendance
19892–1 (0–0, 2–1)15 teams; three groups plus s; controversial status as league component
The 1956–57 edition was planned with six qualified teams but ultimately abandoned before the final tournament.

Post-reinstatement editions (2008–2025)

The Copa Colombia was revived in as an annual knockout tournament featuring teams from Colombia's top two divisions, with the 2020 edition suspended due to the but resumed and completed in 2021, resulting in 17 completed editions from to 2024 plus the ongoing tournament. The competition has showcased a mix of dominance by established clubs from the and occasional upsets by underdogs, including teams from the Primera B reaching deep into the knockout stages. For instance, La Equidad, a relatively modest club, claimed the inaugural post-reinstatement title in by defeating 1–0 in the first leg and drawing 3–3 in the second before winning on penalties. Independiente Medellín defended their 2019 title by winning the delayed 2020 edition 1–1 on aggregate (5–4 on penalties) against . Atlético Nacional marked its first victory in the modern era in 2012, overcoming Pasto with a 2–0 second-leg win after a goalless first leg, and has since emerged as the most successful club with seven titles through 2024. Other prominent clubs like Millonarios and have also secured multiple wins, underscoring the tournament's tendency toward results favoring and Medellín-based powerhouses, though surprises persist—such as Boyacá Chicó, a Primera B side at the time, reaching the 2011 final only to lose 2–0 on aggregate to Millonarios. In recent years, continued its stronghold with back-to-back triumphs in 2023 (beating Millonarios 2–2 aggregate before 5–4 on penalties) and 2024 (3–1 aggregate over ). As of November 17, 2025, the 2025 edition has advanced to the final stage, with semifinals concluded: advanced 6–3 on aggregate over (4–1 first leg, 2–2 second leg), while advanced 1–0 on aggregate over (1–0 first leg away, 0–0 second leg). The final between and is scheduled for late November. The eventual winner will qualify for the 2026 , providing an additional incentive for participants beyond domestic prestige.
YearWinnerRunner-upAggregate Score
2008La EquidadOnce Caldas1–0, 3–3 (5–4 pens)
2009Pasto1–2, 2–1 (5–4 pens)
20101–0, 2–0
2011MillonariosBoyacá Chicó1–0, 1–0
2012Pasto0–0, 2–0
2013Millonarios2–2, 1–0
20142–0, 1–2 (3–2 agg., no pens specified)
2015Junior2–0, 0–1 (2–1 agg.)
2016Junior2–1, 1–0
2017Junior1–1, 2–0
20182–2, 2–1
20192–2, 2–1
20201–1 (5–4 pens)
20215–0, 0–1
2022MillonariosJunior0–1, 2–0 (2–1 agg.)
2023Millonarios1–1, 1–1 (5–4 pens)
20243–1, 0–0
Source for table: RSSSF Colombia Cup History.

Winners and records

Titles by club

The Copa Colombia has been won by nine different clubs throughout its history, with every champion coming from Colombia's premier Primera A division. dominates the all-time standings with a record seven titles, all secured in the post-reinstatement era starting from 2008. and Millonarios follow with three titles each. In the pre-reinstatement period (1950–1989), four unique clubs claimed the five contested titles (excluding the abandoned 1956–57 edition), namely (twice), Millonarios, , and . The modern era (2008–2024) has produced eight unique winners across 17 editions, underscoring greater competitive diversity while highlighting 's seven victories in this phase. The 2025 edition remains undecided as of November 17, 2025, with and advancing to the final scheduled for December 2025. The following table summarizes the all-time title counts, years won, and runners-up appearances for each winning club:
ClubTitlesYears WonRunners-up Appearances
72012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023, 20240
Millonarios31952–53, 2011, 20223
31981, 2019, 2020–211
21989, 20093
Junior22015, 20172
21950–51, 1951–521
120102
120141
La Equidad120080

Notable achievements and statistics

Atlético Nacional holds the record for the most finals appearances in the Copa Colombia's (post-2008 reinstatement), with seven trips to the final stage between and 2024. The club also boasts the most titles overall, with seven victories, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024—the longest consecutive streak in the competition's history. These achievements underscore Nacional's dominance, as they also secured league-and-cup doubles in 2013 and 2024. Goal-scoring records in finals include the 2024 first leg between and , a 3–1 victory that produced four goals—the highest in a single final match since reinstatement. Aggregate scores in recent finals have often been tight, such as the 3–1 overall margin in 2024, reflecting the competition's competitive balance. Club participation statistics reveal broad involvement, with all 36 professional teams from Primera A and Primera B competing annually since 2008, leading to accumulating the most matches and points in the all-time standings. Notable upsets include , a Primera B side, advancing to the semi-finals in after eliminating higher-division opponents, marking one of the deepest runs by a second-tier team. Another highlight was Llaneros FC (Primera B) reaching the quarter-finals in 2019, including a 2–1 upset win over Primera A powerhouse Millonarios. Since its 2008 revival, the Copa Colombia has featured over 1,000 matches across 17 editions, with an average of around 70 fixtures per tournament in a single-elimination format. Attendance records peaked in the 2024 final, drawing 36,969 spectators to the second leg at , while the first leg at Estadio Atanasio Girardot approached the venue's 44,863 capacity.

References

  1. https://dimayor.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Reglamento-Copa-2025-Final.pdf
  2. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/colcuphist.html
  3. https://dimayor.com.co/2018/08/15/70-anos-de-una-hermosa-historia-con-el-balon/
  4. https://dimayor.com.co/2025/11/05/programacion-de-las-semifinales-vuelta-de-la-copa-betplay-dimayor-2025/
  5. https://dimayor.com.co/2025/05/21/nuevo-sistema-de-competencia-copa-betplay-dimayor-2025/
  6. https://nexus-set.tv/colombian_football/
  7. https://dimayor.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Regla-Copa.pdf
  8. https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/football/colombia/copa-colombia/1335
  9. https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1oz32vx/medell%C3%ADn_and_atletico_nacional_contest_2025_copa/
  10. https://dimayor.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/REGLAMENTO-COPA-2020.pdf
  11. https://www.elpais.com.co/deportes/futbol-colombiano/el-var-comenzo-con-muchas-polemicas-en-el-futbol-colombiano.html
  12. https://www.winsports.co/futbol-colombiano/noticias/desde-que-fase-se-jugara-con-var-en-la-copa-betplay-107641
  13. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/soccer/soft-drinks-firm-wins-sponsorship-of-colombian-soccer-idUSSP395248/
  14. https://www.thesportsdb.com/league/5183-copa-colombia
  15. https://dimayor.com.co/2020/01/22/betplay-nuevo-patrocinador-oficial-del-futbol-profesional-colombiano/
  16. https://dimayor.com.co/2023/03/15/betplay-renovo-por-seis-anos-mas-el-patrocinio-del-futbol-profesional-colombiano/
  17. https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/conmebol-sudamericana/articles-video/here-s-the-draw-for-the-2025-copa-sudamericana-2024-12-19
  18. https://www.winsports.co/futbol-colombiano/noticias/cual-sera-el-premio-para-el-campeon-de-la-copa-betplay-2025-357590
  19. https://www.livesoccertv.com/competitions/colombia/copa-colombia/
  20. https://www.winsports.co/
  21. https://thecitypaperbogota.com/living/sports/the-el-dorado-football-legacy74412/
  22. https://www.espn.com.co/futbol/colombia/nota/_/id/9396296/todos-los-campeones-de-la-copa-colombia
  23. https://caracol.com.co/radio/2008/02/14/deportes/1203004260_548799.html
  24. https://www.flashscore.com/football/colombia/copa-colombia-2012/
  25. https://www.futbolred.com/futbol-colombiano/copa-betplay/copa-colombia-2021-formato-del-campeonato-noticias-colombia-hoy-123577
  26. https://impactonews.co/copa-colombia-una-perdida-para-los-clubes-no-hay-plata-para-premio-economico-pero-si-habra-mas-partidos/
  27. https://www.besoccer.com/competition/info/copa_colombia/2025
  28. https://www.transfermarkt.us/copa-colombia/erfolge/pokalwettbewerb/COPO
  29. https://www.elcolombiano.com/deportes/futbol/en-vivo-america-nacional-semifinal-vuelta-copa-betplay-2025-IO30949023
  30. https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/colombia/nota/_/id/15942384/medellin-vs-envigado-semifinal-vuelta-copa-betplay-equipo-fecha-hora-y-tv-en-vivo
  31. https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co5085/colombia-copa-colombia/records-winners-list/
  32. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/724187/america-de-cali-atletico-nacional
  33. https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/results/_/id/5264/league/COL.COPA/season/2024
  34. https://www.transfermarkt.us/copa-dimayor/ewigeTabelle/pokalwettbewerb/COPO
  35. https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/results?id=7915&league=COL.COPA&season=2019
  36. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/copa-dimayor/turnierbilanz/pokalwettbewerb/COPO
  37. https://www.transfermarkt.co.in/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/4510153
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