For the first two rounds, which predominantly involve semi-professional and amateur organizations, teams are drawn from regional groups.

[2] Following two seasons there, Federation president Luc Tardif decided to move the event to Palais ominisport de Paris-Bercy (today Accor Arena), while Méribel became host to the final of a newly created secondary cup, the Coupe de la Ligue ('League Cup').

The choice of the capital's largest and most famous indoor arena turned out to be an unexpected success, providing the French game with a marquee event and significantly increasing the Coupe de France's prestige.

[2][4] In the 2006 off-season, it took the name of influential Canadian-born player and coach Gaëtan "Pete" Laliberté [fr], who had recently died.

[5] In 2022, the original trophy, which had proven very susceptible to damage, was replaced by a new one made of metal, and chosen from three possible designs via a fan vote.