The 2026 Copa del Rey lands in the Capital of the Turia, with the stunning Roig Arena — the new 15,600-seat home of Valencia Basket — set to host the tournament. The event will reach 153 countries across five continents, with more than 60 hours of live TV coverage. For the taronja, the mission is to protect their fortress and break the so-called host curse: it has been 24 years since the home team last lifted the trophy. Real Madrid Baloncesto, meanwhile, will try to avenge last season’s final defeat right away in the quarterfinals, facing Unicaja Baloncesto.
As always, the Copa del Rey will be more than just a sporting event: it’s a true celebration for the fanbases of the participating clubs — and beyond — with over 10,000 people expected. An unprecedented Fan Zone set up between the Roig Arena and L’Alqueria del Basket (home of the Minicopa Endesa) will be the beating heart of the atmosphere. Food trucks, stands, concerts and countless activities will guide supporters toward the much-anticipated encuentro de aficiones scheduled for Saturday at 12:00. One of this year’s new features will be Comando Copa, a roaming show moving through the streets of the Capital of the Turia with the aim of bringing even non-fans closer to the world of basketball.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
VALENCIA BASKET–ASISA JOVENTUT | 18:00
The 2026 Copa del Rey tips off with the host Valencia Basket against the Catalans from Badalona, Club Joventut Badalona, who beat the taronja in their penultimate Liga Endesa meeting at the Olimpic. Pedro Martínez’s team arrive as one of the favourites, but with the added pressure of ending a drought that has seen the host club fail to win since 2002 in Vitoria. Valencia make it 14 straight Copa appearances, while Joventut are the third most successful club in the competition, behind Madrid and Barça.
REAL MADRID–UNICAJA | 21:00
The second quarterfinal is a remake of last season’s final and their most recent Liga Endesa clash: the club with the most titles (29 trophies) meets the reigning Copa holder. Real Madrid Baloncesto come in as winter champions, while Unicaja Baloncesto arrive in a solid run of form despite losing their last league game, after a difficult start to the season. It will be up to Sergio Scariolo to try to bring the trophy back to Madrid, starting with the very opponent with whom he won Andalusia’s first Copa del Rey in 2005.
Friday, February 20, 2026
KOSNER BASKONIA–LA LAGUNA TENERIFE | 18:00
Saski Baskonia return to the Copa after a two-year absence, entering as a seeded team — a status secured at the last gasp after winning a rescheduled game against CB Gran Canaria — and aiming to bring a trophy back to Vitoria, where it has been missing since 2009. On the other side, CB Canarias (La Laguna Tenerife), in their 10th consecutive Copa appearance and finalists in 2023, will look to push Giuseppe Galbiati’s team in what promises to be a wide-open matchup.
BARÇA–UCAM MURCIA | 21:00
A spicy finale to the quarterfinal slate, as the much-anticipated FC Barcelona Bàsquet of Xavi Pascual meet UCAM Murcia CB coached by Sito Alonso. The teams share the same league position (third place at 14-6) and Murcia are 2-0 this season in Liga Endesa head-to-heads, while the only previous Copa meeting between them came in the 2022 semifinal, won by Barça 90-103.
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