The 144th FA Cup final is set to determine who succeeds Manchester United as the champions of England's oldest cup competition, a title eagerly contested since its inception in 1872.
On May 17, 2025, Wembley Stadium will play host to what has become a highlight in the English football calendar, with an impressive history attached. The attendance record at Wembley was established in 1923, when over 126,000 spectators witnessed Bolton Wanderers defeat West Ham in a thrilling final. Since then, the competition has seen many twists, turns, and surprises, with each year drawing more enthusiasm from fans.
The FA Cup has seen many champions, with forty-four different teams having lifted the trophy throughout its history. Its prestige endures, with the current holders, Manchester United, having recorded a comfortable 2-1 win over Manchester City in last season's final.
Eight teams remain in contention for the 2025 FA Cup, each vying for the chance to claim the coveted title. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Brighton & Hove Albion have never tasted success in this tournament, raising hopes among neutrals that a new champion might emerge. Meanwhile, Preston North End, a second-tier club, is the only outfit from outside the top flight still in the hunt, having last held the trophy in 1938. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have been without success since the 1950s, while Manchester City seeks their fourth triumph since 2011.
The FA Cup quarter-finals will commence over the weekend of March 29-30, with four matches lined up. Fulham is set to face Crystal Palace at 12:15 p.m. GMT on March 29, while Brighton will welcome Nottingham Forest at 5:15 p.m. on the same day. Preston will host Aston Villa the following day at 1:30 p.m., and Bournemouth will take on Manchester City at 4:30 p.m.
Fans can catch all the live-action through various platforms. ITV1 and STV will broadcast the matches on television, while the BBC will show Fulham vs. Palace and Brighton vs. Forest. Viewers will also have the option to stream the games via applications such as ITVX and BBC iPlayer, making it easier for supporters to follow their teams on the go.
Prize money plays a significant role in the competition, with clear financial incentives at every stage. The figures published by the FA indicate how much each round is worth: winners of the third round receive £115,000, while losers get £25,000. To advance, teams in the fourth round can earn £120,000, and those progressing in the fifth round see a figure of £225,000. Winners of the quarter-finals take home £450,000, while semi-finalists net £1 million for their efforts, with the final offering a staggering £2 million for the winning team and a million for the runners-up.
The FA Cup has endured over a century of football history, with the final scheduled for May 17 set to showcase the talent and determination of England's best teams. Manchester United's last victory served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of this competition, where any team can rise to the occasion and claim glory, regardless of their league status.
This tournament isn't merely a series of matches; it embodies the hope and aspirations of clubs both big and small. As the quarter-finals approach, excitement is building, and this season promises to deliver drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments, all leading up to that grand final in May.
Every team still in contention understands the significance of this tournament, and fans will undoubtedly rally behind their clubs in full force as the matches unfold. With the promise of new stories and the adrenaline rush of knockout football, the 2025 FA Cup is already a tale that is sure to leave its mark on the hearts of supporters and players alike.
