The Challenge Cup was a tournament for football clubs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire It was played from 1897 to 1911.
It started in 1897 and was invented by John Gramlick. He was one of the founders of Vienna Cricket and Football-Club. The competition was for all clubs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. All teams came from the three major cities Vienna, Budapest and Prague.[1] It was played in a knockout format.[2]
The trophy is now in the possession of its last winner Wiener Sport-Club. The Challenge Cup was played for the last time in 1911. Today it is seen as a early version of the Austrian Cup (first held in 1918).[1]