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."