The KNVB Cup is a national tournament of the Netherlands, which has been held annually since 1899. The first two divisions representatives, 24 teams out of third division six groups and several clubs from the lower Eerste Klasse league participate in the tournament. The Cup competition is conducted alongside the main championship, beginning in mid-August and ending in early May. The KNVB Cup winner gets a ticket to the third qualifying round of the Europa League play-off, as well as competes for the Johan Cruyff Shield.
The KNVB Cup is the oldest football tournament of the country. The 1st competition took place in 1899 under the Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbal Bond beker (Royal Dutch Football Association Cup) name. It’s worth noting that they tried to hold the tournament before, but for a long time the number of applicants was too small. “RAP” (Amsterdam) became the first KNVB Cup winner, while beating “Haagse Voetbal Vereniging” in extra time.
Up to the professional league of the Netherlands formation, the Cup had been considered to be the main football tournament of the country. For all the time of existence, the Cup of the Netherlands has not been held 20 times, with several breaks of 3-4 years each: 1918–1924, 1944–1947, 1950–1956.
The KNVB Cup has got the title sponsor since 1995. The first company to support this tournament financially was Amstel Brewery. Since 2005 the American producer of Gatorade sports-themed beverage products, which is the PepsiCo affiliated company, has been the major sponsor.
