Cupset refers to a situation in a sporting competition (typically where a
Cup is the
top prize to be awarded) where a team from a lower league defeats a team from a higher league.
Severity ranges from "Minor Cupset" (i.e. a team beating another in the division above), "Major Cupset" (i.e. a team defeating another two or three divisions above them), to "Miraculous Cupset" (i.e. a team that isn't even a part of the 'official' league(
s), defeats a team in the
top divisions of the official league(s).)
"Cupset" is a contraction of the words "Cup Upset". It derives from the
popular FA Cup Competition run by the Football Association for
English football clubs, but can theoretically be used for any competition with similar league styles.
"Do you remember when Southend United
beat Manchester United in the League
Cup? What a cupset that was."
"As it stands, it's Liverpool nil, Stevenage one, and with only five minutes to
play, Liverpool are looking at a major cupset."