Founded 1920 Number of teams 12 (1926) | ||
Abolished 1926; 91 years ago (1926) | ||
The Copa Estímulo was an Argentine official football competition organized by the Argentine Football Association, being first held in 1920. The tournament had two editions from 1920 to 1926,
Although some versions state the cup had a third edition in 1929, it was indeed played under the Primera División season format (being Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) the winner). The Association only officialized the 1920 and 1926 Copa Estímulo editions, considering the 1929 championship as a Primera División title.
History
In 1920, the Argentina national team travelled to Chile to play the South American Championship held in that country therefore the Association interrupted the Primera División championship while the international competition was being played. With the purpose of keeping local teams active, the association created a new tournament to be played during the recess, named "Copa Estímulo". Ten teams took part of the competition, divided into two groups where teams played each other in a round-robin tournament. Before finishing the first stage, the cup was abandoned and never went back. Huracán (leading the group "Norte") was declared winner due to Banfield (first in the other zone) disaffiliated from the Football Association.
For the third edition, the trophy would be awarded by the 1929 Primera División champion. Unlike the previous season, the 35 teams participating were split into two groups in a round-robin tournament format. Teams finishing first of each zone at the end of the season played a final match, therefore Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata won the tournament after defeating Boca Juniors by 2-1.