The European 10,000m Cup dates from 1997 when it was held under its initial title of the European 10,000 Metres Challenge. 

Notable names on the roll-of-honour at the Cup include Spain's Jose Manuel Martinez (2004 and 2009), Great Britain's Mo Farah (2010) and Italy's Daniele Meucci (2016) on the men’s side and multiple winners Fernanda Ribeiro from Portugal (1998 and 2003), Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe (1999, and 2001) and fellow Portuguese runner Sara Moreira (2011, 2012 and 2017) among the women.

As well as competing for individual and team honours, the European 10,000m Cup also provides an opportunity for athletes to get qualifying times for the major global championships of the summer such as the 2022 World Athletics Championships as well as the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships.