The competition initially ran from 1961 to 1983, being then discontinued due to financial difficulties until 2004, when it was finally relaunched.

[1] The competition was held between 1961 and 1984 with four clubs participating, the local team and three invited clubs, with the exception of 1981 and 1982 when it was interrupted due to La Rosaleda Stadium being refurbished for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

[1] Some of the most notable players to have taken part in the Trofeo Costa del Sol are Pelé (1967), Eusébio (1966), Alfredo Di Stéfano (1963) and Johan Cruyff (1977), playing for their respective clubs.

[3] In 2023, Málaga CF announced that the club had intentions to relaunch the tournament, which last edition was held in 2017.

[4] The club stated they wanted to bring a German team to the competition.