The first attempt to hold a knock-out competition open to all clubs in the Netherlands was made in 1894, with the winners receiving a trophy offered by H.M.C.

[2] Seven teams entered and the first ever cup match in the Netherlands was thus held on 11 February, between Haarlem and HFC, ending in a 3–1 win to the latter.

[3] Initially, it was decided to stage a competition for this new trophy already in the ongoing 1897–98 season, but the board had to cancel it after a prolonged stretch of bad weather in the first weeks of February had led to numerous match postponements in the western leagues.

The first final was played on 9 May 1899 between RAP Amsterdam and HVV Den Haag, and ended in a 1–0 victory for the former thanks to a goal from Jan Hisgen in extra-time.

[4][5][6] In 1946, the trophy was changed to one made out of silver, which was extremely rare in the immediate aftermath of World War II.

In 2018, a trophy colored in gold was commissioned to commemorate the 100th edition of the tournament.

In 2006, the name returned to being the KNVB Beker with Gatorade remaining as the principal sponsor.

On 12 January 2018, it was announced that TOTO would be the name sponsor of the KNVB Cup, until the 2021–22 season.

1899–1900   Velocitas 1900–01   HBS Craeyenhout (1/2) 1901–02   HFC Haarlem (1/2) 1902–03   HVV Den Haag 1903–04   Koninklijke HFC (1/3) 1904–05   VOC Rotterdam (1/2) 1905–06   Concordia 1906–07   VOC Rotterdam (2/2) 1907–08   HBS Craeyenhout 2 (2/2) 1908–09   Quick Den Haag 2 (1/4) 1909–10   Quick Den Haag 2 (2/4) 1910–11   Quick Den Haag (3/4) 1911–12   HFC Haarlem (2/2) 1912–13   Koninklijke HFC (2/3)