The Ayrshire Cup was first held in 1877–78, the trophy being a solid silver vase, 30 inches high, and valued at £100, designed by Messrs John Cameron & Son.
[4] The Ayrshire Cup was first proposed by two medical students who tried to persuade Ayr United to invest into the competition.
After failing to persuade the club, John Wallace, who was a local from Kilmarnock, offered to and did put in the finances needed to organise the event including allowing the town to choose the final venue of the cup.
Before penalty shoot-outs were introduced in 1970–71, if a cup final was tied it would be given to the club who won it the previous year.
[10][11] The Ayrshire Cup was last run in the 2017-18 season, with Kilwinning Rangers winning the last edition after defeating Largs Thistle.