The Cup System

Beyond the National Cup: Survival and Training

Elimination from the National Cup is not the end, but the beginning of the journey through the divisional cups.

1. The National Cup

The premier competition featuring teams from the top divisions down to the lowest eligible ranks.

Pairing System

Based on Ranking (Seeding). Higher-ranked teams always play away against lower-ranked teams. This ensures smaller clubs can generate gate receipts against big teams in the early rounds.

Economic Importance

Since you play against a much stronger team at home, you are likely to fill the stadium. Remember, as the host, you keep 67% of the revenue.

2. Divisional Cups: The Safety Nets

If you lose in the National Cup, you automatically "drop" into one of these three cups based on your elimination round:

Emerald Cup

The first safety net. Offers smaller prizes but maintains the official competition pace.

Ruby Cup

For those eliminated later or those who fail to progress in the early Emerald rounds.

Sapphire Cup

The final level. Useful for extending official training until the last weeks of the league.

3. Benefits for your "Laboratory"

Experience (EXP)

A cup match grants approximately double the experience of a friendly match.

  • Improves players' actual on-field performance.
  • Reduces the cost of converting them into future coaches.
100% Training

While in any cup, your players receive training at official match speed. This is far more efficient than friendlies for quickly increasing TSI sub-levels.

🛑 End of the Cup Journey

Once eliminated from the last consolation cup, your team will play Friendly Matches on Wednesdays. You can choose between national or international friendlies to continue completing the 90 weekly training minutes for all your players.

Previous guide

Scouts vs. Youth Academy

Comparison between the Scout Network and the Academy.