The FA Cup

The FA Cup
Name	FA Cup
Caption	The FA Cup trophy
Organiser	The Football Association
Founded	1871
Region	England and Wales
Number of teams	700+ (varies)

The FA Cup is the oldest national association football knockout competition, established in 1871 and organised by the Football Association. It has been contested by clubs across the English and Welsh football pyramid, producing historic ties between amateur, semi-professional and professional sides. The competition is noted for its traditions, giant-killing upsets and iconic finals at Wembley Stadium and earlier at venues such as the Crystal Palace and the original Wembley Stadium (old).

History

The competition was founded following meetings at the Freemasons' Tavern and under the stewardship of figures associated with The Football Association such as Charles W. Alcock, who organised early tournaments involving clubs like Wanderers F.C. and Royal Engineers A.F.C.. Early finals were staged at grounds including the Kennington Oval, with winners such as Wanderers F.C. and Old Etonians reflecting the dominance of public school and amateur sides. The transition to professional clubs saw teams like Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., and Arsenal F.C. rise to prominence, while landmark matches involved clubs such as Notts County, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland A.F.C., and Newcastle United F.C.. The move to the new Wembley Stadium in 2007 updated the final's setting, and competitions have been affected by events such as the First World War, Second World War, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced scheduling and attendance.

Format and rules

The cup operates as a single-elimination knockout tournament administered by The Football Association under regulations that govern player eligibility, match scheduling and disciplinary measures. Matches tied after 90 minutes historically led to replays at the away team's ground, a practice seen in ties involving Portsmouth F.C., Manchester City F.C., Chelsea F.C., and Huddersfield Town A.F.C., though replays have been reduced or removed at later stages per FA rulings. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs have decided finals and replays in encounters featuring teams such as West Ham United F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Everton F.C., and Blackburn Rovers F.C.. The competition awards qualification to European tournaments, linking winners to UEFA competitions and thus affecting participation by clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea F.C., and Liverpool F.C. in continental schedules.

Competition structure

The tournament calendar comprises preliminary, qualifying and proper rounds culminating in the first round proper and successive rounds leading to the semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium. Early rounds feature non-league clubs such as Wrexham A.F.C., Yeovil Town F.C., Lincoln City F.C., and Sutton United against Football League clubs from tiers including the English Football League and the Premier League. The draw is unseeded in most rounds, producing matchups between clubs like Manchester City F.C., Leicester City F.C., Southampton F.C., and lower-tier sides in classic David-versus-Goliath pairings. Replays, neutral venues, and match postponements due to weather have historically affected progression, with fixture congestion considerations involving competitions like the EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League.

Clubs and eligibility

Entry is open to clubs affiliated to The Football Association that meet criteria regarding facilities, finances and league status, encompassing teams from the National League down through regional leagues such as the Isthmian League, Northern Premier League, and Southern League. Prominent entrants over the years have included Arsenal F.C., Chelsea F.C., Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Everton F.C., Leeds United F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., and historic amateur sides like Corinthian F.C.. Lower-tier participants who achieved notable runs include Hereford United, Cardiff City F.C., Wigan Athletic F.C., Bradford City A.F.C., and Bristol City F.C..

Records and statistics

Record holders include clubs with most titles such as Arsenal F.C. and Manchester United and prolific players and managers associated with cup success like Sir Alex Ferguson, Herbert Chapman, and Jack Charlton. Individual records feature top scorers and appearance makers spanning eras with figures from Stanley Matthews-era contests to modern icons like Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney. Longest runs, biggest margins, and highest attendances involve matches at venues like the Kennington Oval, Old Trafford, Anfield, and Wembley Stadium, while unique records include giant-killing feats by teams such as Burnley F.C., Sutton United, and Lincoln City F.C..

Finals and notable matches

Finals have produced memorable encounters: the 1923 "White Horse Final" at Wembley (old) featuring crowd-control scenes and Billy Meredith; the 1953 "Matthews Final" with Stanley Matthews starring for Blackpool F.C.; the 1966 final in the context of English football prominence near the 1966 FIFA World Cup era; dramatic finals involving Manchester United's 1999 treble season and Chelsea F.C.'s successes under managers like Jose Mourinho. Notable giant-killings include Hereford United v Arsenal F.C., Sutton United v Coventry City F.C., and Lincoln City F.C.'s run to later rounds. Semi-final and replay classics have featured clubs such as Newcastle United F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Everton F.C., and Aston Villa.

Media coverage and broadcasting

Broadcasting rights have been held by national broadcasters including BBC Sport, ITV, and subscription services like Sky Sports, reflecting changes in television and radio coverage from early match reports in publications such as The Times and The Guardian. Archive footage and commentary from broadcasters have preserved moments involving presenters and pundits tied to events at Wembley Stadium, and international distribution has brought fixtures involving Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., Chelsea F.C., and Arsenal F.C. to global audiences.

Impact and cultural significance

The competition has influenced English and Welsh football culture, fostering narratives about tradition, community and sport that intersect with clubs such as Bristol Rovers F.C., Tranmere Rovers F.C., Stockport County F.C., and Scunthorpe United F.C.. It has inspired literature, film and art referencing moments at Wembley Stadium, civic celebrations in cities like Manchester, Liverpool, London, and Birmingham, and has served as a platform for player legacies involving Bobby Moore, Stanley Matthews, Eric Cantona, and Peter Schmeichel. The cup's role in promotion of lower-league clubs and community identity continues to resonate across the English football landscape.

Category:Football cups in England