The FA Cup Final returns to Wembley Stadium on Saturday 16 May 2026, bringing the curtain down on another thrilling edition of the world’s oldest knockout football competition. With the semi-finals set for 25 and 26 April, the two finalists will be drawn from a quartet that includes Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton, and the winner of the West Ham United vs Leeds United quarter-final. Kick-off is at 16:30 BST, with a capacity crowd of 90,000 expected at England’s national stadium.
What is the FA Cup Final?
The FA Cup Final is the showpiece match of the Emirates FA Cup, the oldest national football competition in the world. First contested in 1872, the FA Cup is a knockout tournament open to all eligible clubs in the English football pyramid, from the Premier League down to grassroots level. Hundreds of clubs enter each season, making the journey to Wembley one of the most gruelling and unpredictable in world football.
The final itself is a single match played at Wembley Stadium, with the winner lifting the famous trophy and securing a place in the following season’s UEFA Europa League. Unlike league football, the FA Cup’s knockout format means there are no second chances: one defeat and a club’s campaign is over. This format has produced some of the most iconic moments in English football history, from giant-killings in the early rounds to dramatic finals decided in extra time or on penalties.
The 2025-26 edition has already delivered its share of drama. In the third round, holders Crystal Palace were knocked out 2-1 by National League North side Macclesfield FC, a result widely described as the greatest upset in FA Cup history. The 117-place gap between the two clubs surpassed the previous record. The quarter-finals provided further shocks: Southampton defeated Arsenal 2-1 at St Mary’s to end the Gunners’ treble hopes, while Manchester City dismantled Liverpool 4-0 with an Erling Haaland hat-trick. Chelsea cruised past Port Vale 7-0 at Stamford Bridge.
When is the FA Cup Final?
The 2026 FA Cup Final takes place on Saturday 16 May 2026 at Wembley Stadium, London. Kick-off is confirmed for 16:30 BST (11:30 ET, 08:30 PT). Coverage on BBC and TNT Sports is expected to begin several hours before kick-off, with build-up programming, analysis, and features on the two competing clubs.
The semi-finals, which determine the two finalists, are scheduled for the weekend of 25 and 26 April 2026, also at Wembley. The semi-final draw takes place on Sunday 5 April, immediately following the final quarter-final between West Ham United and Leeds United at the London Stadium.
Where is the FA Cup Final?
The FA Cup Final is held at Wembley Stadium in London, the home of English football. The current stadium, which opened in 2007 on the site of the original 1923 venue, has a seated capacity of 90,000, making it the largest stadium in the United Kingdom and the second largest in Europe. Its iconic arch, visible for miles across north-west London, has become synonymous with major finals in English football.
Wembley’s pitch measures 105m by 68m and features a Desso GrassMaster hybrid surface. The stadium is well served by public transport, with Wembley Park and Wembley Stadium stations both within short walking distance. For supporters travelling from outside London, Wembley is accessible by train from most major UK cities, with Marylebone and Euston stations offering connections via the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines.
Key Contenders
The four semi-finalists for the 2025-26 FA Cup are Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton, and the winner of West Ham United vs Leeds United. The semi-final draw, which takes place on 5 April, will determine the two pairings. Below is a look at each confirmed contender.
Manchester City arrive as one of the favourites after a devastating 4-0 quarter-final win over Liverpool. Erling Haaland scored a clinical hat-trick, with Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki combining for the fourth. City have won the FA Cup on nine occasions and were beaten finalists in 2025, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola’s side will be desperate to reclaim a trophy that eluded them last season.
Chelsea made light work of League One side Port Vale, winning 7-0 in the quarter-finals. Jorrel Hato opened the scoring inside the first minute, with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian, and Alejandro Garnacho all finding the net. Chelsea have won the FA Cup eight times, most recently in 2018, and will fancy their chances of adding to that tally.
Southampton are the competition’s surprise package. Despite sitting in the Championship, the Saints stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 in the quarter-finals at St Mary’s. Ross Stewart and Shea Charles scored the goals that ended Arsenal’s campaign. Southampton have never won the FA Cup, though they were winners of the competition in 1976 when Lawrie McMenemy’s side beat Manchester United 1-0.
West Ham United or Leeds United will complete the semi-final line-up following their quarter-final tie at the London Stadium on 5 April. West Ham have won the FA Cup three times (1964, 1975, 1980), while Leeds last lifted the trophy in 1972.
How to Watch
The FA Cup Final is one of the most widely broadcast football matches of the English domestic season. Here is how to watch in key markets around the world.
United Kingdom: The final will be shown live on BBC One, free to air, and also on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport). BBC iPlayer will carry a free live stream for UK viewers. TNT Sports subscribers can also stream via the Discovery+ app. BBC coverage traditionally includes extensive build-up programming from Wembley.
United States: ESPN holds the exclusive US rights to the FA Cup for the 2025-26 season. The final will be available to stream live on ESPN+ and may also be shown on ESPN’s linear channels depending on the scheduling. Kick-off is at 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT.
Australia: Optus Sport is the home of the FA Cup in Australia, with live streaming available for subscribers. The match kicks off at 01:30 AEST on Sunday 17 May.
Rest of World: The FA Cup Final is broadcast in over 150 territories worldwide. Viewers should check local listings, though common rights holders include beIN Sports (Middle East, North Africa, Asia Pacific), SuperSport (Sub-Saharan Africa), and DAZN (Canada, selected European markets).
History and Records
The FA Cup is the oldest national football competition in the world, first contested during the 1871-72 season after FA Secretary Charles Alcock proposed the creation of a challenge cup for member clubs. The inaugural final was held on 16 March 1872 at the Kennington Oval in London, with Wanderers defeating the Royal Engineers 1-0. In the 154 years since, the competition has grown into one of the most celebrated tournaments in world football.
Arsenal hold the record for the most FA Cup wins with 14 titles, the most recent coming in 2020. Manchester United are close behind on 13, their last success arriving in 2024 with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Chelsea (8), Tottenham Hotspur (8), and Manchester City (9) are the next most successful clubs. Arsenal and Manchester United also share the record for the most final appearances, with 21 each.
The 2025 final saw Crystal Palace claim the trophy for the first time in their history, beating Manchester City 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze’s 15th-minute strike. Dean Henderson’s penalty save from Omar Marmoush proved decisive as Palace held firm with just 19% possession to lift their maiden major trophy. Their defence of the cup in 2025-26 lasted only until the third round, where they were sensationally beaten 2-1 by non-league Macclesfield FC in what many consider the greatest FA Cup upset of all time.
Tickets and Attendance
FA Cup Final tickets are allocated primarily to the two competing clubs, with each finalist typically receiving approximately 30,000 of Wembley’s 90,000 seats. The remaining allocation is distributed among FA member clubs, county FAs, sponsors, and corporate hospitality packages. Tickets are not sold to the general public through a central box office.
Supporters of the two finalists should purchase tickets through their respective club’s official channels once allocations are confirmed. Priority is usually given to season ticket holders and members with strong cup attendance records. Prices typically range from around 45 pounds for upper-tier seating to 145 pounds for premium lower-tier positions, though this varies from year to year.
For those seeking a premium experience, hospitality packages are available through the FA’s official hospitality partners. Packages for the 2026 final are already listed on secondary platforms, with prices starting from around 1,200 pounds and rising significantly for premium boxes and Club Wembley seats. The FA strongly advises fans to purchase tickets only through official channels, as unauthorised resale is prohibited under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
A capacity crowd of 90,000 is expected for the final, as is customary for the showpiece occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FA Cup Final start?
The 2026 FA Cup Final kicks off at 16:30 BST on Saturday 16 May 2026 at Wembley Stadium, London.
Where is the FA Cup Final being held?
The final is played at Wembley Stadium in London, which has a seated capacity of 90,000.
How can I watch the FA Cup Final?
In the UK, the final is live on BBC One (free to air) and TNT Sports. In the US, it is available on ESPN+. Optus Sport covers the match in Australia.
Who won the FA Cup last year?
Crystal Palace won the 2025 FA Cup Final, beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley. Eberechi Eze scored the winning goal.
Who has won the most FA Cups?
Arsenal hold the record with 14 FA Cup wins. Manchester United are second with 13 titles.