The 2022–23 Bulgarian Cup was the 41st official edition of the Bulgarian annual football knockout tournament. It is sponsored by Sesame and known as the Sesame Kupa na Bulgaria for sponsorship purposes. The competition began on 21 September 2022 with the preliminary round and finished with the final on 24 May 2023. Levski Sofia were the defending cup winners, but were eliminated by Ludogorets Razgrad in the round of 16, who went on to win the cup for their 3rd overall. As Ludogorets were already assured of a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League via their league performance, the cup's European berth was passed to the third-placed team in the 2022–23 First League.
Participating clubs The following 47 teams qualified for the competition: 2022–23 First League16 clubs 2022–23 Second League15 non-reserve clubs Winners of regional qualifiers16 clubsArda Kardzhali Beroe Stara Zagora Botev Plovdiv Botev Vratsa CSKA 1948 Sofia CSKA Sofia Cherno More Varna Hebar Pazardzhik Levski Sofia Lokomotiv Plovdiv Lokomotiv Sofia Ludogorets Razgrad Pirin Blagoevgrad Septemvri Sofia Slavia Sofia Spartak VarnaBelasitsa Petrich Dobrudzha Dobrich Dunav Ruse Etar Veliko Tarnovo Krumovgrad Litex Lovech Maritsa Plovdiv Minyor Pernik Montana Sozopol Spartak Pleven Sportist Svoge Strumska Slava Radomir Vitosha Bistritsa Yantra Gabrovofrom North-East zone: Botev Novi Pazar Chernolomets Popovo Chernomorets Balchik Svetkavitsa Targovishte from North-West zone: Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa Lokomotiv Mezdra Partizan Cherven Bryag Sevlievo from South-West zone: Chavdar Etropole Levski-Rakovski Sofia Marek Dupnitsa Vihren Sandanski from South-East zone: Gigant Saedinenie Rozova Dolina Kazanlak Sayana Haskovo Yambol
Matches Preliminary round The draw was conducted on 2 September 2022. The games were played on 22 September 2022. In this stage participated the 16 winners from the regional amateur competitions and 15 non-reserve teams from the Second League. During the draw, Chernomorets Balchik received a bye to the round of 32.
Round of 32 The draw for this round, together with the draw for the round of 16, was conducted on 11 October 2022. The games shall be played between 16 and 27 November 2022. In this stage participate the 15 winners from the previous round, Chernomorets Balchik (who received a bye) and the 16 teams from the First League.
Round of 16 The draw was conducted on 11 October 2022, immediately after the draw for the round of 32. The games were played between 26 November and 4 December 2022. In this stage the participants are the 16 winners from the previous round.
Quarter-finals The draw was conducted on 12 December 2022. The games were played between 3 and 5 April 2023. In this stage the participants are the 8 winners from the previous round.
Semi-finals The draw was conducted on 6 April 2023. The first legs were played on 25 and 26 April, while the second legs were scheduled for 10 and 11 May 2023. From this season onwards, the away goals rule will not apply in accordance with the generally accepted regulations in European football.
First legs
Second legs
Final
Bracket
Notes
References