First season | 1984 |
---|---|
Country | Israel |
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) |
Number of teams | 30 (14 participants in Al, 16 in Leumit) |
Current champions | Maccabi Tel Aviv (Al) Ironi Tiberias (Leumit) |
Most championships | Maccabi Tel Aviv (8 cups) |
Website | Toto Cup Al Toto Cup Leumit |
Current: |
The Israel Toto Cup (Hebrew: גביע הטוטו, Gvia Ha'Toto) is an association football tournament that features clubs in the two highest divisions in Israel: the Israeli Premier League a.k.a. Ligat Ha'Al; and the Israeli 2nd division Liga Leumit. Both of these leagues are featured separately for the Israel Toto Cup – at a distinct seasonal tournament for each of these two. They are simply referred to as Toto Cup Al and Toto Cup Leumit, in many global media outlets.
From 1999 to 2009, the tournament was also open to clubs from the third division, until the cancellation of Liga Artzit.
The Toto Cup is the third most important competition in Israeli football after the Israeli Premier League and the Israeli State Cup. As it isn't highly regarded, Israeli clubs use the games to rotate their squad and give fringe players and youth players a chance. However, the Israeli Sports Betting Council pays 1.25 million NIS to the winners, while the runners-up receive 950,000 NIS.[1]