Coppa Italia 2025-26: Bologna Defend Title as Tournament Reaches Crucial Stage
LONDON, 27 January 2026 – The Coppa Italia, Italy’s prestigious domestic cup competition, enters a decisive phase in its 2025-26 edition as defending champions Bologna seek to retain their crown. The tournament, currently at the Round of 16 stage, continues tonight with Fiorentina hosting Como at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Bologna’s Historic 2024-25 Triumph
The 2024-25 Coppa Italia will be remembered for Bologna’s fairy-tale victory, which ended a 51-year wait for major silverware. Under manager Vincenzo Italiano, the Rossoblu defeated AC Milan 1-0 in the final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on 14 May 2025. This marked Bologna’s third Coppa Italia title, adding to their previous wins in 1970 and 1974.
The 2024-25 tournament also introduced a significant format change: extra time was eliminated for all rounds except the semi-finals and final. Matches drawn after 90 minutes now proceed directly to penalty shoot-outs in the earlier stages.
2025-26 Tournament Format & Structure
The 79th edition of the Coppa Italia (branded as Coppa Italia Frecciarossa for sponsorship reasons) features 44 teams: 20 from Serie A, 20 from Serie B, and 4 from Serie C. The competition follows a knockout format with the following structure:
| Phase | Round | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First Stage | Preliminary Round | 9-10 August 2025 |
| First Stage | First Round | September 2025 |
| First Stage | Second Round | October 2025 |
| Second Stage | Round of 16 | 2 December 2025 – 27 January 2026 |
| Second Stage | Quarter-finals | 3-12 February 2026 |
| Second Stage | Semi-finals (two-legged) | 3-5 March & 21-23 April 2026 |
| Second Stage | Final | 13 May 2026 |
Current 2025-26 Round of 16 Results & Fixtures
The top eight Serie A teams from the 2024-25 season entered at the Round of 16 stage. Several matches have already been completed:
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 December 2025 | Juventus | 2-0 | Udinese |
| 3 December 2025 | Atalanta | 4-0 | Genoa |
| 3 December 2025 | Napoli | 1-1 (9-8 pens) | Cagliari |
| 3 December 2025 | Inter Milan | 5-1 | Venezia |
| 4 December 2025 | Bologna | 2-1 | Parma |
| 4 December 2025 | Lazio | 1-0 | AC Milan |
| 13 January 2026 | Roma | 2-3 | Torino |
| 27 January 2026 | Fiorentina | v | Como |
Confirmed Quarter-final Draw
With seven Round of 16 matches completed, the quarter-final pairings are now set:
- 4 February 2026: Inter Milan vs Torino (Stadio Brianteo, Monza)
- 5 February 2026: Atalanta vs Juventus
- 10 February 2026: Napoli vs Winner of Fiorentina/Como
- 11 February 2026: Bologna vs Lazio
Tournament Significance & Prize
The Coppa Italia winner receives more than just the trophy. The champion earns:
- Qualification for the UEFA Europa League league phase
- A place in the following season’s Supercoppa Italiana
- The right to wear the Italian tricolour cockade (coccarda) on their kit for the next season
Historical Context
Juventus remain the most successful club in Coppa Italia history with 15 titles, followed by Roma and Inter Milan with nine each. The competition has been contested since 1922, though it experienced several interruptions in its early years before becoming an annual fixture from 1958 onward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2024-25 Coppa Italia?
Bologna won the 2024-25 Coppa Italia, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in the final on 14 May 2025. This was their first major trophy in 51 years.
What is the format change introduced in 2024-25?
Beginning with the 2024-25 edition, extra time is only played in the semi-finals and final. In all other rounds, matches drawn after 90 minutes proceed directly to penalty shoot-outs.
When is the 2025-26 Coppa Italia final?
The 2025-26 Coppa Italia final will be played on 13 May 2026 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Which teams have already qualified for the 2025-26 quarter-finals?
As of 27 January 2026, the following teams have reached the quarter-finals: Inter Milan, Torino, Atalanta, Juventus, Napoli, Bologna, and Lazio. The final quarter-finalist will be either Fiorentina or Como.
How can I watch Coppa Italia matches?
In Italy, Coppa Italia matches are broadcast by Mediaset. Internationally, the tournament is available through various broadcast partners, and matches are often streamed on the Serie A YouTube channel in territories without specific TV deals.