Danish Cup

The Danish Cup (; often referred to as Pokalen) is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. Since 2026 it is also known as Betano Pokalen for sponsorship reasons. The cup has been contested annually since 1955.

The winner will qualify for the UEFA Europa League tournament the following year, where they (as of the 2009–10 season) will enter in the third qualifying round.

The final traditionally takes place on Kristi Himmelfarts Dag (The Ascension) and it is always played in the Danish national stadium Parken. However in the 1991 and 1992 seasons the final had been rescheduled to Odense Stadion and Århus Stadion respectively due to the renovation of Parken. Furthermore, in 2011, because Ascension Thursday fell on 2 June and an international match date was already allotted for this date, the Danish Cup final was played two weeks earlier on 22 May, which coincided with the annual Copenhagen Marathon.

Attention has been brought to the fact that the final on most occasions unpractically is played before the last rounds of the league, which can open up for speculation in the benefit of losing league games at the end of the season especially for the cup runner-up if the winner is heading for the league championship. Recently former AaB player David Nielsen claimed in his autobiography that after losing the cup final in 2004 to FC Copenhagen, he deliberately missed opportunities to score against them when AaB and FC Copenhagen met in the final league match because FCK would win the championship (and thereby the double) and land AaB in the UEFA Cup as losing cup finalists.

Format

Each club may only have one team in the tournament (their first team). If a match (except one of the two-legged semifinals, except if the 2nd match's result gives an aggregate tie, including the away goals rule) ends in a tie, two fifteen-minute extra time periods will be played, with penalty kicks if the tie remains after the extra time.

The participants The teams are not seeded, but the lowest placed team from the previous season will always get the home pitch advantage.

Until 2005–06 1st round, 64 teams 48 teams qualified through preliminary cups held by the regional associations. 16 teams from the 2nd division (all teams) 2nd round, 32+8 teams 32 teams from the 1st round (winners) 8 teams from the 1st division (9th–16th placed) 3rd round, 20+8 teams 20 teams from the 2nd round 6 teams from the 1st division (3rd–8th placed) 2 teams from the Superliga (11th–12th, the relegated teams which are now in the 1st division) 4th round, 14+6 teams 14 teams from the 3rd round 4 teams from the Superliga (7th–10th) 2 teams from the 1st division (1st–2nd, the promoted teams which are now in the Superliga) 5th round, 10+6 teams 10 teams from the 4th round 6 teams from the Superliga (1st–6th) Quarterfinals, 8 teams 8 teams from the 5th round – and so on until the finals.

From 2006–07 1st round, 88 teams 48 teams qualified through preliminary cups held by the regional associations. 28 teams from the 2nd divisions (all teams) 12 teams from the 1st division (5th–16th placed) 2nd round, 44+12 teams 44 teams from the 1st round (winners) 4 teams from the 1st division (1st–4th placed) 8 teams from the Superliga (5th–12th placed). 3rd round, 28+4 teams 28 teams from the 2nd round 4 teams from the Superliga (1st–4th placed) 4th round, 16 teams 16 teams from the 3rd round Quarterfinals, 8 teams 8 teams from the 4th round – and so on until the finals.

From 2021–22 1st round, 92 teams 56 teams qualified through preliminary cups held by the regional associations. 12 teams from the 3rd divisions 12 teams from the 2nd divisions 12 teams from the 1st division 2nd round, 46+6 teams 46 teams from the 1st round (winners) 6 teams from the Superliga (7th–12th placed). 3rd round, 26+6 teams 26 teams from the 2nd round 6 teams from the Superliga (1st–6th placed) 4th round, 16 teams 16 teams from the 3rd round Quarterfinals, 8 teams 8 teams from the 4th round – and so on until the finals.

Finals SeasonFinalWinner (title no.)ScoreRunner-upMan of the Match (Pokalfighter)StadiumAttendanceLandspokalturneringen1954–55AGF4 – 0Aalborg ChangAage Rou Jensen, AGFIdrætsparken10,3001955–56Frem1 – 0ABBent Jørgensen, FremIdrætsparken23,0001956–57AGF (2)2 – 0Esbjerg fBJohn Amdisen, AGFIdrætsparken25,8001957–58Vejle3 – 2KBKnud Herbert Sørensen, VejleIdrætsparken28,6001958–59Vejle (2)1 – 1 (a.e.t.)AGFErling Sørensen, VejleIdrætsparken33,000Replay: 1 – 0Idrætsparken17,7001959–60AGF (3)2 – 0Frem SakskøbingVagn Hansen, Frem SakskøbingIdrætsparken17,5001960–61AGF (4)2 – 0KBJohn Amdisen, AGFIdrætsparken33,5001961–62B19091 – 0Esbjerg fBBruno Eliasen, B 1909Idrætsparken18,0001962–63B19132 – 1KøgeHans Andersen, KøgeIdrætsparken10,9001963–64Esbjerg fB2 – 1Odense KFUMCarl Bertelsen, Esbjerg fBIdrætsparken24,5001964–65AGF (5)1 – 0KBFrank Johansen, KBIdrætsparken18,6001965–66AaB3 – 1 (a.e.t.)KBLeif Skov, AaBIdrætsparken18,6001966–67Randers Freja1 – 0AaBJørgen Rasmussen, Randers FrejaIdrætsparken13,7001967–68Randers Freja (2)3 – 1VejlePer Gaardsøe, Randers FrejaIdrætsparken15,2001968–69KB3 – 0FremFlemming Pedersen, KBIdrætsparken18,5001969–70AaB (2)2 – 1LyngbyCarsten Aagaard, LyngbyIdrætsparken18,2001970–71B1909 (2)1 – 0FremArno Hansen, B1909Idrætsparken23,7001971–72Vejle (3)2 – 0Fremad AmagerTonny Hartvig Nielsen, Fremad AmagerIdrætsparken20,2001972–73Randers Freja (3)2 – 0B1901Helge Vonsyld, Randers FrejaIdrætsparken21,8001973–74Vanløse IFVanløse played in tier 2 at the time.5 – 2OBPer Bartram, OBIdrætsparken20,0001974–75Vejle (4)1 – 0Holbæk B&INiels Tune, Holbæk B&IIdrætsparken26,3001975–76Esbjerg fB (2)2 – 1Holbæk B&IJens Jørn Bertelsen, Esbjerg fBIdrætsparken23,5001976–77Vejle (5)2 – 1B1909Henning Andersen, B 1909Idrætsparken13,1001977–78Frem (2)1 – 1 (a.e.t.)Esbjerg fBErik Jespersen, Esbjerg fBIdrætsparken12,700Replay: 1 – 1 (a.e.t.)rowspan="2" Idrætsparken1,800Replay: 1 – 1 (a.e.t., )Idrætsparken2,3001978–79B19031 – 0KøgePeter Poulsen, KøgeIdrætsparken9,8001979–80Hvidovre IF5 – 3LyngbyMichael Christensen, Hvidovre IFIdrætsparken23,5001980–81Vejle (6)2 – 1FremPoul Erik Østergaard, VejleIdrætsparken17,5001981–82B.933 – 3 (a.e.t.)B1903Ole Pedersen, B 93Idrætsparken7,600Replay: 1 – 0Idrætsparken5,3001982–83OB3 – 0B1901Morten Donnerup, OBIdrætsparken7,7001983–84Lyngby2 – 1KBBo Fosgaard, KBIdrætsparken25,8001984–85Lyngby (2)3 – 2Esbjerg fBHenrik Nielsen, Esbjerg fBIdrætsparken9,2001985–86B1903 (2)2 – 1Ikast fSSigurd Kristensen, Ikast fSIdrætsparken5,6001986–87AGF (6)3 – 0AaBKarsten Christensen, AGFIdrætsparken6,3001987–88AGF (7)2 – 1 (a.e.t.)Brøndby IFTroels Rasmussen, AGFIdrætsparken20,0001988–89Brøndby IF6 – 3 (a.e.t.)Ikast fSKlaus Granlund, Ikast fSIdrætsparken11,600Giro Cup1989–90Lyngby (3)0 – 0 (a.e.t.)AGFHenrik Larsen, LyngbyIdrætsparken8,600Replay: 6 – 1Idrætsparken2,0001990–91OB (2)0 – 0 (a.e.t.)AaBKeld Bordinggaard, OBOdense Stadion13,212Replay: 0 – 0 (a.e.t., )Odense Stadion4,5541991–92AGF (8)3 – 0B1903Bo Harder, AGFAarhus Idrætspark20,0001992–93OB (3)2 – 0AaBSøren Thorst, AaBParken9,0231993–94Brøndby IF (2)0 – 0 (a.e.t., )Næstved IFJørgen Juul Jensen, Næstved IFParken27,0691994–95F.C. Copenhagen5 – 0ABCarsten V. Jensen, F.C. CopenhagenParken20,5361995–96AGF (9)2 – 0Brøndby IFStig Tøfting, AGFParken36,103Compaq Cup1996–97F.C. Copenhagen (2)2 – 0Ikast fSLars "Mini" Hansen, Ikast fSParken17,3681997–98Brøndby IF (3)4 – 1F.C. CopenhagenJohn "Faxe" Jensen, Brøndby IFParken41,0441998–99AB2 – 1AaBRené Henriksen, ABParken25,113DONG Cup1999–2000Viborg1 – 0AaBArek Onyszko, Viborg FFParken18,0982000–01Silkeborg IF4 – 1ABJan Michaelsen, ABParken14,7432001–02OB (4)2 – 1F.C. CopenhagenLars Jacobsen, OBParken28,4812002–03Brøndby IF (4)3 – 0FC MidtjyllandKasper Dalgas, Brøndby IFParken32,6602003–04F.C. Copenhagen (3)1 – 0AaBHjalte Bo Nørregaard, F.C. CopenhagenParken38,095Landspokalturneringen2004–05Brøndby IF (5)3 – 2 (a.e.t.)FC MidtjyllandJohan Elmander, Brøndby IFParken35,7162005–06Randers FC1 – 0 (a.e.t.)Esbjerg fBCarsten Fredgaard, Randers FCParken23,8252006–07OB (5)2 – 1F.C. CopenhagenJohan Absalonsen, OBParken30,0132007–08Brøndby IF (6)3 – 2Esbjerg fBSamuel Holmén, Brøndby IFParken33,154Ekstra Bladet Cup2008–09F.C. Copenhagen (4)1 – 0AaBThomas Augustinussen, AaBParken29,2492009–10FC Nordsjælland2 – 0 (a.e.t.)FC MidtjyllandNicolai Stokholm, FC NordsjællandParken18,8562010–11FC Nordsjælland (2)3 – 2FC MidtjyllandMikkel Thygesen, FC MidtjyllandParken14,646DBU Pokalen2011–12F.C. Copenhagen (5)1 – 0AC HorsensBryan Oviedo, FC CopenhagenParken21,9632012–13Esbjerg fB (3)1 – 0Randers FCMagnus Lekven, Esbjerg fBParken 26,1942013–14AaB (3)4 – 2F.C. CopenhagenRasmus Thelander, AaBParken 27,8242014–15F.C. Copenhagen (6)3 – 2 (a.e.t.)FC VestsjællandThomas Delaney, F.C. CopenhagenParken 24,0952015–16F.C. Copenhagen (7)2 – 1AGFWilliam Kvist, F.C. CopenhagenParken 35,8282016–17F.C. Copenhagen (8)3 – 1Brøndby IFStephan Andersen, F.C. CopenhagenParken 32,1402017–18Brøndby IF (7)3 – 1Silkeborg IFSimon Jakobsen, Silkeborg IFParken 31,027Sydbank Pokalen2018–19FC Midtjylland1 – 1 (a.e.t., 4 – 3 pen.)Brøndby IFGustav Wikheim, FC MidtjyllandParken 31,4302019–20SønderjyskE2 – 0AaBAnders K. Jacobsen, SønderjyskeEsbjerg Stadion 1,750Played in front of a limited number of spectators because of governmental restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.2020–21Randers FC (2)4 – 0SønderjyskeMathias Greve, Randers FCAarhus Idrætspark 7,9812021–22FC Midtjylland (2)0 – 0 (a.e.t., 4 – 3 pen.)OBAyo Simon Okosun, OBBrøndby Stadion 23,328Pokalen2022–23F.C. Copenhagen (9)1 – 0AaBLucas Andersen, AaBParken 34,937Oddset Pokalen2023–24Silkeborg IF (2)1 – 0AGFStefán Teitur Þórðarson, Silkeborg IFParken 36,3002024–25Copenhagen 3 – 0SilkeborgVictor Froholdt, F.C. CopenhagenMCH Arena 11,0482025–26FC Midtjylland 1 – 0CopenhagenMads Bech Sørensen, FC MidtjyllandParken 35,485Betano Pokalen2026–27

Results by team Team # Titles # Runners-up F.C. Copenhagen 10 1994–95, 1996–97, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2022–23, 2024–25 5 1997–98, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2025–26 AGF 9 1954–55, 1956–57, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1964–65, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1995–96 4 1958–59, 1989–90, 2015–16, 2023–24 Brøndby IF 7 1988–89, 1993–94, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2017–18 4 1987–88, 1995–96, 2016–17, 2018–19 Vejle 6 1957–58, 1958–59, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1980–81 1 1967–68 OB 5 1982–83, 1990–91, 1992–93, 2001–02, 2006–07 2 1973–74, 2021–22 AaB 3 1965–66, 1969–70, 2013–14 10 1966–67, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2019–20, 2022–23 Esbjerg fB 3 1963–64, 1975–76, 2012–13 6 1956–57, 1961–62, 1977–78, 1984–85, 2005–06, 2007–08 FC Midtjylland 3 2018–19, 2021–22, 2025–26 4 2002–03, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2010–11 Lyngby 3 1983–84, 1984–85, 1989–90 2 1969–70, 1979–80 Randers Freja 3 1966–67, 1967–68, 1972–73 – – Frem 2 1955–56, 1977–78 3 1968–69, 1970–71, 1980–81 B1903 2 1978–79, 1985–86 2 1981–82, 1991–92 Silkeborg IF 2 2000–01, 2023–24 2 2017–18, 2024–25 Randers FC 2 2005–06, 2020–21 1 2012–13 B1909 2 1961–62, 1970–71 1 1976–77 FC Nordsjælland 2 2009–10, 2010–11 – – KB 1 1968–69 5 1957–58, 1960–61, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1983–84 AB 1 1998–99 3 1955–56, 1994–95, 2000–01 Sønderjyske 1 2019–20 1 2020–21 Viborg 1 1999–2000 – – B.93 1 1981–82 – – Hvidovre IF 1 1979–80 – – Vanløse IF 1 1973–74 – – B1913 1 1962–63 – – Ikast fS – – 3 1985–86, 1988–89, 1996–97 B1901 – – 2 1972–73, 1982–83 Køge BK – – 2 1962–63, 1978–79 Holbæk B&I – – 2 1974–75, 1975–76 FC Vestsjælland – – 1 2014–15 AC Horsens – – 1 2011–12 Næstved IF – – 1 1993–94 Fremad Amager – – 1 1971–72 Odense KFUM – – 1 1963–64 Frem Sakskøbing – – 1 1959–60 Aalborg Chang – – 1 1954–55

Footnotes

References

External links

Page on the website of the DBU Cup at UEFA Denmark - List of Cup Finals, RSSSF.com Danish Cup summary(SOCCERWAY)