Albacete Balompié pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Copa del Rey history by eliminating Real Madrid in the round of 16. This victory not only had sporting repercussions but also injected a significant boost of morale and money into the club and the city of Albacete, with an economic impact exceeding 2 million euros. Ticket sales generated around 1.5 million euros, an unprecedented figure for the Manchegan club. While Real Madrid's highest-paid player, Kylian Mbappé, earns close to 31 million euros annually, the top earners at Albacete make around 500,000 euros a year, with a considerably lower average salary. In several bars, drinks, especially beer, sold out due to the massive influx of fans. The economic impact was also reflected in hotel occupancy, with visitors coming from Madrid, club officials, and fans from nearby municipalities and provinces who traveled to Albacete to watch the match. In addition to these direct revenues, the city also benefited indirectly from restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as from the sale of official merchandise and commemorative scarves from the historic encounter. Hospitality establishments near the Carlos Belmonte stadium had anticipated an exceptional day, and after the match, many confirmed they had doubled their income compared to a normal matchday.
