Qualification for Romanian clubs is determined by a team's performance in its domestic league and cup competitions.

Further changes were made for the 1997–98 season, with the runners-up from countries placed highly in the UEFA coefficients allowed to enter.

The competition was initially open to teams who finished as runners-up in their respective national leagues.

It was initially for team from cities that hosted trade fairs, it was later expanded to include runners-up from the domestic leagues.

Jointly organised by UEFA and the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL) it was contested until 2004, when it was replaced by the FIFA Club World Cup which included the winners of all six confederations regional championships.