Copa México

The Copa México was a Mexican football cup competition that existed from 1907 to 1997. It consisted of both professional and amateur stages. It was the first official tournament that included teams from different parts of Mexico, and it was an important and prestigious tournament, especially during its earlier years of existence.

The original purpose of the competition was to determine a national champion, thus distinguishing it from the local league championship. Its format was different from the local leagues as well, as it employed direct elimination and culminated in a final that received much more fanfare than the local leagues. However, the goals of the Copa México were never realized due to a number of factors, including the distances and costs of travel, the timing of the tournament, and the enmity between regional leagues.

Despite early optimism about the Copa México, it lost its prestige over the years as it endured constant changes in format and even being placed on hiatus by the Mexican Football Federation, which occurred twice (the first between 1976 and 1988 and the second between 1992 and 1994). After the 1997 edition of the tournament, it was ended permanently.

History

Copa Tower (1907–1919)

The Copa México began in 1907 with the donation of the trophy by Reginald Tower, who was at the time the English ambassador to Mexico. For this reason, it was originally called the Copa Tower. At first, the tournament only included clubs from Mexico City and the surrounding areas. Pachuca won the inaugural tournament, in 1908, by defeating Reforma AC in the final. In 1919, Real España won the cup for the third year straight and were allowed to keep the trophy permanently. In all, the Copa Tower was contested 11 times, with Real España winning it four times in all, the best performance of the period.

Copa Eliminatoria (1919–1932)

In 1920, the tournament took place for the first time with a new trophy, the Copa Eliminatoria. It was contested six times between the years 1920 and 1926. Asturias F.C. won it three times during this period (consecutively from 1922–1924), the highest total of any team during this period.

Copa México (1932–1997)

Amateur Period (1932–1943)

After the foundation of the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol in 1927, a new trophy, named the Copa México, was donated in 1932. Following a six-year hiatus, the cup was contested again during the 1932–33 season. This time, the competition also received official support of President Lázaro Cárdenas. The first Copa México was won by Necaxa in a tournament of historical importance due to the adoption of new rules. This marked the beginning of an 11-year period that is referred to in retrospect as the Amateur Period. Once again, Asturias F.C. dominated the championship, winning it a record 5 times during this period.

Professional Period (1943–1997)

In 1943 the Professional Period of the Copa México began, a period that would last until the competition's termination in 1997. At first, it was played among teams from the Liga Mayor, the present-day Primera Division de Mexico. In 1950, it was enlarged to also include the teams of the Segunda División de México. However, it was not held during the 1956–57, 1963–64, 1994–95, or 1995–96 seasons.

Year-by-year results

Copa Tower (1907–1919)

Copa Eliminatoria (1919–1932)

Copa México (1932–1997)

Amateur Period (1932–1943)

Professional Period (1943–1997)

Champions

Amateur Era Champions

Professional Era Champions and Runners-up

Mexico - All-Time Table Cup Tournament

Includes all results since 1942-43 (first professional Cup Tournament) to 1996-97 Three points per victory since 1995

References