The event was established following the conclusion of the European Touring Car Championship at the end of 2004. As that series was superseded by the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the European Touring Car Cup was created to provide a continental platform for touring car competitors. Management of the event was handled by Eurosport Events, the same organization responsible for the World Touring Car Championship and the European Rally Championship.
From its inception until 2009, the Cup was held as a one-off event. In 2010, the format transitioned to a multi-round series, initially expanding to three rounds and later four separate events per year.
The standard event schedule took place over two days. Saturday consisted of two 30-minute practice sessions followed by a 30-minute qualifying session. Sunday began with a 15-minute warm-up, leading into two back-to-back 50 km races. The starting grid for the second race was determined by the results of the first race, with the top eight finishers placed in reverse order.
Points were awarded in each class (Super 2000 and Super 1600) for both races. The scoring system granted 10 points for a win, 8 for second place, 6 for third, 5 for fourth, 4 for fifth, 3 for sixth, 2 for seventh, and 1 point for eighth place.
Eligibility for the Cup was restricted to specific technical categories and driver criteria. Eligible cars originally included those complying with FIA Super 2000, Super 2000 Diesel, Super Production, and Super 1600 regulations.
Driver entry was regulated by National Sporting Authorities (ASN). To compete, drivers were required to meet one of three conditions:
Participation in at least 50% of their own National Championship.
Designation by their ASN, provided they had not competed for a Manufacturer's team in the FIA WTCC.
Designation by their ASN if they belonged to a country without a national championship.
The technical landscape evolved significantly over the life of the series. In 2012, a Single Make Trophy was introduced to accommodate cars such as the SEAT León Supercopa and Renault Clio Cup. By the 2013 season, Diesel engines and Super Production regulations were outlawed, leaving the field to petrol-engined Super 2000, SEAT León Supercopa, and Super 1600 cars. In 2014, older 1.6-liter turbocharged Super 2000 specification cars were also permitted.
A major restructuring occurred for the 2016 season. The Single Make Trophy (renamed TCN-2) and the various Super 2000 classes (TC2 and TC2T) were merged into a single category. Super 1600 remained a standalone category. For the final season in 2017, these categories were renamed: the unified Super 2000/TCN-2/TCR/TC2-T group became ETCC-1, while Super 1600 was designated ETCC-2.
In January 2016, the series introduced a new branding identity and logo. This styling was designed to align the Cup with other contemporary FIA series, such as the FIA World Endurance Championship. Media coverage was primarily handled by Eurosport, which broadcasted the races either through live transmissions or 30-minute highlight programs.
The series awarded titles based on the specific classes contested. As of 2016, the primary trophies were:
FIA Drivers’ European Touring Car Cup Super 2000
FIA Drivers’ European Touring Car Cup Super 1600
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