A total of 165 clubs compete in this edition, including all teams from the top three tiers of the Portuguese football league system – excluding reserve or B teams, which are not eligible – and representatives of the fourth-tier District leagues and cups.
The competition began on 26 September 2020 with the first-round matches involving teams from the third and fourth tiers, and concluded on 23 May 2021 with the final at the Estádio Nacional in Oeiras.
Primeira Liga side Porto were the defending champions and entered the competition in the third round, but they were eliminated by eventual winners Braga in the semi-finals.
Match kick-off times are in WET (UTC±0) from the third round to the semi-finals, and in WEST (UTC+1) during the rest of the competition.
[2] A total of 131 teams representing the Campeonato de Portugal and the District Championships were involved in the first round draw, which was held on 10 September 2020.