View source for NFC Champions Cup

{{Infobox football tournament
| name                 = NFC Champions Cup
| logo                 = NFC Champions Cup.png
| caption              = 
| organiser            = [[Nortua Football Confederation]]
| founded              = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1997}}
| region               = [[Nortua]]
| number of teams      = 34
| current champions    = 
| most successful team = 
| broadcasters         = 
| website              =
| current              = [[2024 NFC Nations Cup]]
}}

The '''NFC Champions Cup''' is an annual international football competition organized by the [[Nortua Football Confederation]], and contested by top-division [[Nortua]]n clubs, deciding the competition winners through a round robin group stage to qualify for a double-legged knockout format, and a single leg final. It is the second most-watched club competition in the world, behind the [[EFC Champions League]], and the fifth most-watched football competition overall behind only the aforementioned EFC Champions League, the [[EFC Nations League]], [[NFC Nations Cup]], and the [[World Cup (Iearth)|World Cup]]. It is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world and the most prestigious club competition in Nortuan football, played by the national league champions (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of their national associations.

In its present format, the Champions Cup begins in late February, usually following the [[World Cup]], with a preliminary round, three qualifying rounds and a play-off round, all played over two legs. The six surviving teams enter the group stage, joining 26 teams qualified in advance. The 32 teams are drawn into eight groups of four teams and play each other in a double round-robin system. The eight group winners and eight runners-up proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match in mid-late May. The winner of the Champions Cup automatically qualifies for the following year's Champions Cup.

==Format==
===Qualification=== 
The NFC Champions Cup begins with a double round-robin group stage of 32 teams, which is preceded by two qualification 'streams' for teams that do not receive direct entry to the tournament proper. The two streams are divided between teams qualified by virtue of being league champions, and those qualified by virtue of finishing second or third in their national championship.

Four of the remaining six qualifying places are granted to the winners of a six-round qualifying tournament between the remaining national champions, within which those champions from associations with higher coefficients receive byes to later rounds. 

In addition to sporting criteria, any club must be licensed by its national association to participate in the Champions Cup. To obtain a license, the club must meet certain stadium, infrastructure and finance requirements.

===Group stage and knockout phase===
The tournament proper begins with a group stage of 32 teams, divided into eight groups of four. The draw to determine which teams go into each group is seeded based on teams' performance in NFC competitions, and no group may contain more than one club from each nation. Each team plays six group stage games, meeting the other three teams in its group home and away in a round-robin format. The winning team and the runners-up from each group then progress to the next round. 

For the next stage – the last 16 – the winning team from one group plays against the runners-up from another group. From the quarter-finals onwards, the draw is entirely random, without association protection.

The group stage is played from February to April, whilst the knock-out stage starts in late-April or early May. The knock-out ties are played in a two-legged format, with the exception of the final. The final is typically held in the middle two weeks of May.

==Results==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:93%; text-align:center; width:;"
|-
! rowspan=2 style= "width:;" | Season
! colspan=3 | Final
! colspan=3 | Third place play-off
|-
! width= 150px| Winner
! width= 80px|Score 
! width= 150px| Runner-up
! width= 150px | Third
! width= 80px | Score
! width= 150px | Fourth 
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[1997 NFC Champions Cup|1997]]
|'''{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Aalen-Brenz FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[Coplesti Monarchs]]
|{{flagicon|Coaitte}} [[Tessau FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Club Bellun]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[1998 NFC Champions Cup|1998]]
|'''{{flagicon|Utobania}} [[Asamandia FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Acdia}} [[FC Purac]]
|{{flagicon|Eserrei}} [[SK Torunzidis]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Pourmaun Polars]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[1999 NFC Champions Cup|1999]]
|'''{{flagicon|Tine}} [[Tinegard FK]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Peggau Laitstadt]]
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Club Bellun]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Tarralusia City]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2000 NFC Champions Cup|2000]]
|'''{{flagicon|Versenia}} [[Millerrath City]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Allengin FC]]
|{{flagicon|Candatora}} [[Slanwell United]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[Coplesti Monarchs]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2001 NFC Champions Cup|2001]]
|'''{{flagicon|Beatavic}} [[Rouville FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Tarralusia City]]
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[FC Onot]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Peggau Laitstadt]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2002 NFC Champions Cup|2002]]
|'''{{flagicon|Vuswistan}} [[Tyrnatini FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Peggau Laitstadt]]
|{{flagicon|Zoygaria}} [[Vostoc FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Cylata}} [[Port Casarta FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2003 NFC Champions Cup|2003]]
|'''{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Neidenstein-Rot]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Latilli}} [[Ambaliana FC]]
|{{flagicon|Versenia}} [[Aassillit FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Beatavic}} [[Harlingen FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2004 NFC Champions Cup|2004]]
|'''{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Allengin FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Syraranto}} [[Tarasto FC]]
|{{flagicon|Eserrei}} [[Etlannai]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Keschem FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2005 NFC Champions Cup|2005]]
|'''{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Schwarz-Weiß Melmingen]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Rød Sol]]
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[Selika Hammerheads]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Kyti}} [[Kasema United]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2006 NFC Champions Cup|2006]]
|'''{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Apelnisse United]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Wellvale United]]
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Halsholm Jakartaburg]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Nordfjall BK]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2007 NFC Champions Cup|2007]]
|'''{{flagicon|Saint Offeat}} [[Vogoci FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Apelnisse United]]
|{{flagicon|Pian Islands}} [[Chamart FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[FC Onot]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2008 NFC Champions Cup|2008]]
|'''{{flagicon|Zoygaria}} [[Gvardia Varšava]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Utobania}} [[Asamandia FC]]
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Allengin FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Sümmingen]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2009 NFC Champions Cup|2009]]
|'''{{flagicon|Eserrei}} [[SK Torunzidis]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Beatavic}} [[Harlingen FC]]
|{{flagicon|Zoygaria}} [[Vostoc FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[Coplesti Monarchs]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2010 NFC Champions Cup|2010]]
|'''{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[Coplesti Monarchs]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Norasa FC]]
|{{flagicon|Versenia}} [[Millerrath City]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Candatora}} [[Slanwell United]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2011 NFC Champions Cup|2011]]
|'''{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Rød Sol]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Artaska}} [[Selika Hammerheads]]
|{{flagicon|Cylata}} [[Port Casarta FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Tine}} [[Tinegard FK]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2012 NFC Champions Cup|2012]]
|'''{{flagicon|Versenia}} [[Aassillit FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Pian Islands}} [[Chamart FC]]
|{{flagicon|Kyti}} [[Kasema United]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Eserrei}} [[SK Lyco]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2013 NFC Champions Cup|2013]]
|'''{{flagicon|Zoygaria}} [[Eçio FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Utobania}} [[Autrataya Union]]
|{{flagicon|Saint Offeat}} [[Hillsberg FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Vuswistan}} [[Tyrnatini FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2014 NFC Champions Cup|2014]]
|'''{{flagicon|Kyti}} [[Rakohovo FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[IFK Brekket]]
|{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Eblium FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Syraranto}} [[Tarasto FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2015 NFC Champions Cup|2015]]
|'''{{flagicon|Beatavic}} [[Harlingen FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Schwarz-Weiß Melmingen]]
|{{flagicon|Saint Offeat}} [[Vogoci FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Latilli}} [[Ambaliana FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2016 NFC Champions Cup|2016]]
|'''{{flagicon|Latilli}} [[FC Selonia-Benn]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Oftbon-Mells FC]]
|{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Rød Sol]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Acdia}} [[FC Purac]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2017 NFC Champions Cup|2017]]
|'''{{flagicon|Saint Offeat}} [[Vepovo United]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Aalen-Brenz FC]]
|{{flagicon|Coaitte}} [[Tessau FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Cylata}} [[Port Casarta FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2018 NFC Champions Cup|2018]]
|'''{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Rød Sol]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Albanovi}} [[Cascay Club]]
|{{flagicon|Kyti}} [[Kasema United]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Aalen-Brenz FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2019 NFC Champions Cup|2019]]
|'''{{flagicon|Eserrei}} [[SK Lyco]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Tine}} [[Tinegard FK]]
|{{flagicon|Zoygaria}} [[Eçio FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|New Anea}} [[Pourmaun Polars]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2020 NFC Champions Cup|2020]]
|'''{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Schwarz-Weiß Melmingen]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Latilli}} [[FC Selonia-Benn]]
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Allhofen United]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Norasa FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2021 NFC Champions Cup|2021]]
|'''{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Oskarsviik FC]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Wellvale United]]
|{{flagicon|Tine}} [[Tinegard FK]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Candatora}} [[Highsite FC]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2022 NFC Champions Cup|2022]]
|'''{{flagicon|Elbresia}} [[Allhofen United]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Pian Islands}} [[Loughdalk FC]]
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Schwarz-Weiß Melmingen]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Constantio}} [[Balgita City]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2023 NFC Champions Cup|2023]]
|'''{{flagicon|Candatora}} [[Slanwell United]]'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Beatavic}} [[Gran Telea FC]]
|{{flagicon|Greater Normark}} [[Oskarsviik FC]]
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|{{flagicon|Besmenia}} [[FC Sümmingen]]
|- style=height:6.25em
| [[2024 NFC Champions Cup|2024]]
|'''winner'''
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|Runner-up
|Third
|'''score''' <br /><small>{{longitem|stadium, city, country}}</small>
|Fourth
|- style=height:6.25em
|}

[[Category:Coalition of Crown Albatross]][[Category:Sports (Coalition of Crown Albatross)]]