Zenit-2 will compete in the Russian Cup once again

In the 2025/26 season of the Russian Cup, the Blue-White-Sky Blues will once again be represented by the team Zenit-2, marking their second consecutive appearance in the tournament.

A total of 33 teams will participate in the competition, with 16 of them starting from the group stage. Among them are representatives of the Premier League, youth squads of VTB United League clubs, and one amateur team. The Round of 32 will follow, with series from this stage onward played in a "1+1" format.

Zenit-2 will enter the competition from the Round of 16, as they finished among the top six teams in the Super League last season. Joining head coach Oliver Popovic’s squad at this stage will be other top teams: Temp-SUMZ from Revda, CSKA-2 Moscow, Khimki, Dynamo Primorye, and Novosibirsk. These matches are scheduled for November 12 and December 10. Zenit-2’s opponent will be announced at a later date.

In the quarterfinals (to be held on January 7 and 28), two clubs from the VTB United League — Pari Nizhny Novgorod and MBA-MAI Moscow — will join the race for the Cup.

The winners of the quarterfinal series will advance to the Final Four, which will take place from March 13 to 15.