Alkaline earth metals (Ca, Sr, Ba) substituted lanthanum copper oxides were investigated to evaluate their potentials as cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). The crystal structure, thermal expansion and electrochemical performance of La 1−x AE x CuO 3−δ (x=0.3, AE=Ca, Sr, Ba) were studied by X-ray diffraction, thermal dilatometer and impedance spectra, respectively. By lowering the size of the A-site cation in ABO 3 perovskite, a lower thermal expansion and polarization resistance were obtained for Ca-doped LaCuO 3−δ cathode which showed an area specific resistance of 0.19 Ω cm −2 under open circuit potential conditions at 800°C, and a polarization overpotential of 52 mV at a current density of 0.1 A/cm 2 at 700°C, being a potential candidate of cathode material for IT-SOFCs.