The copper-catalyzed Glaser coupling is conducted mechanochemically, with the milling balls and vessels being the catalyst. Thus, neither catalyst powders nor soluble catalyst salts are required. Substituting Cu⁰ milling tools by copper alloys not only increases the yield of the reaction, but also greatly reduces abrasion, and in turn increases catalyst long-term stability and reusability. Tracking the reaction by Raman spectroscopy allows to identify the active intermediate directly on the milling ball surface and propose a reaction mechanism.