2015–16 KNVB Cup


The 2015–16 KNVB Cup is the 98th season of the Dutch national football knockout tournament. The winner qualifies for the group stage of the Europa League the following season and the Johan Cruyff Shield, the Dutch Supercup match between the Cup winner and the champions of the Eredivisie.

Qualification

Teams qualified for the Cup through the following:
Competition Number of teamsRound in which they enter
Eredivisie, Eerste Divisie 35Second round
Topklasse 10Second round
Topklasse 16First round
KNVB District Cups 24First round

Calendar

The calendar is as follows:
RoundDraw date Date
First round1 July 2015
26 August 2015
Second round1 July 2015
22–24 September 2015
Third round24 September 2015
27–29 October 2015
Round of 1629 October 2015
15–17 December 2015
Quarter-finals17 December 2015
2–4 February 2016
Semi-finals4 February 2016
2 and 3 March 2016
Final4 February 2016
24 April 2016

Source: Royal Dutch Football Association

First round

Only amateur teams compete in this round. Matches were played on 26 August 2015. Due to heavy rainfall four matches were abandoned during the game and finished one week later on 2 September 2015

Second round

Winners from the first round compete against all professional clubs.

Third round

The 32 winners from the previous round progress to this stage.

Fourth round

The 16 winners from the previous round progress to this stage.

Quarter-Final

The 8 winners from the previous round progress to this stage.

Semi Final

The 4 winners from the previous round progress to this stage.

Final

The 2 winners from the previous round progress to this stage. The winner of the semi-final match between Feyenoord and AZ is marked as the 'home' team in the final, as that was the first match to be drawn at the draw for the semi-finals.