Sporting CP were the previous holders, having defeated Leixões 1–0 in the previous season's final.[3] Defending champions Sporting CP were eliminated in the quarter-finals by second division Naval.[4]Porto defeated União de Leiria, 1–0 in the final to win their twelfth Taça de Portugal.[5] As a result of the Dragões winning both the league and cup in the same season, União de Leiria would play in the 2003 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira against their cup final opponents.[6]
Fourth round
All fourth round cup ties were between the 23 November and the 29 January. The fourth round saw teams from the Primeira Liga (I) enter the competition.
Ties were played between the 17 December and the 26 February.[7][8] Due to the odd number of teams involved at this stage of the competition, Estrela da Amadora qualified for the sixth round due to having no opponent to face at this stage of the competition.
Ties were played between the 22 January to the 5 March.[9][10]
Due to the odd number of teams involved at this stage of the competition, Paços de Ferreira qualified for the quarter-finals due to having no opponent to face at this stage of the competition.