FC

FA Cup

England · Football

Season 2025

FA CupToday's Matches

Live scores, upcoming kick-offs, and finished results for today. Data refreshes automatically so you never miss a moment.

FA CupPlayoffs

Round of 64

LLiverpool4
BBarnsley1
4–1
SUSheffield Utd3
MTMansfield Town4
3–4
NNorwich5
WWalsall1
5–1
FFulham3
MMiddlesbrough1
3–1
SSouthampton3
DDoncaster2
3–2
SCStoke City1
CCoventry0
1–0
STSwindon Town2
SCSalford City3
2–3
BBurnley5
MMillwall1
5–1
MUManchester United1
BBrighton2
1–2
LLeeds3
DDerby1
3–1
GGrimsby3
WWeston-super-Mare2
3–2
CChelsea5
CCharlton1
5–1
CPCrystal Palace1
MMacclesfield2
1–2
BBirmingham3
CUCambridge United2
3–2
BABurton Albion5
BWBoreham Wood0
5–0
WWolves6
SShrewsbury1
6–1
IIpswich2
BBlackpool1
2–1
LLeicester2
CCheltenham0
2–0
TTottenham1
AVAston Villa2
1–2
FTFleetwood Town0
PVPort Vale1
0–1
AArsenal4
PPortsmouth1
4–1
PPreston0
WWigan1
0–1
WWatford1
BCBristol City5
1–5
MCManchester City10
ECExeter City1
10–1
BBrentford2
SWSheffield Wednesday0
2–0

Round of 32

AArsenal4
WWigan0
4–0
IIpswich0
WWrexham1
0–1
SSunderland1
OUOxford United0
1–0
MCManchester City2
SCSalford City0
2–0
NNewcastle3
AVAston Villa1
3–1
LLiverpool3
BBrighton0
3–0
BBrentford1
MMacclesfield0
1–0
FFulham2
SCStoke City1
2–1
CChelsea4
HCHull City0
4–0
WBWest Brom1
NNorwich3
1–3
BBurnley1
MTMansfield Town2
1–2
WWolves1
GGrimsby0
1–0

Round of 16

WWolves1
LLiverpool3
1–3
FFulham0
SSouthampton1
0–1
LLeeds3
NNorwich0
3–0
SSunderland0
PVPort Vale1
0–1
NNewcastle1
MCManchester City3
1–3
AArsenal2
MTMansfield Town1
2–1

Quarter-finals

SSouthampton2
AArsenal1
2–1
CChelsea7
PVPort Vale0
7–0
LLiverpool0
MCManchester City4
0–4

FA CupResults

The latest 25 completed matches in the FA Cup. The highest-scoring result was Chelsea 7–0 Port Vale. Review recent scorelines to spot form trends, home advantage patterns, and upset results that can inform your next bet.

HomeScoreAway
Semi-finals
10
10
2026-04-26FT
21
21
2026-04-25FT
Quarter-finals
22
22
2026-04-05PEN
21
21
2026-04-04FT
70
70
2026-04-04FT
40
40
2026-04-04FT
Round of 16
22
22
2026-03-09PEN
30
30
2026-03-08FT
10
10
2026-03-08FT
01
01
2026-03-08FT
13
13
2026-03-07FT
24
24
2026-03-07AET
12
12
2026-03-07FT
13
13
2026-03-06FT
Round of 32
10
10
2026-03-03AET
01
01
2026-02-16FT
40
40
2026-02-15FT
12
12
2026-02-15FT
01
01
2026-02-15FT
01
01
2026-02-15FT
11
11
2026-02-15PEN
30
30
2026-02-14FT
13
13
2026-02-14FT
31
31
2026-02-14FT
21
21
2026-02-14AET

FA CupTeam Stats

Side-by-side performance comparison of all 735 teams in the FA Cup. Maldon & Tiptree leads with 6 wins this season. The colour-coded heatmap highlights wins, losses, draws, goals scored and conceded, goal difference, and win percentage — making it easy to spot the strongest and weakest teams at a glance for betting analysis.

FA CupBetting Insights

FA Cup 2025 — key betting statistics across 810 matches played. Games average 3.32 goals, with 55.9% seeing both teams score and 64.7% finishing with over 2.5 goals. Home sides win 48.3% of the time while 15.6% of matches end in a draw. Clean sheets are kept in 44.1% of games, and the most common scoreline is 1-0. Use these metrics to calibrate over/under, BTTS, and correct-score strategies.

3.32Goals / Match
55.9%Both Score %
64.7%Over 2.5 / 5.5 %
83.3%Over 1.5 %
42.2%Over 3.5 %
48.3%Home Win %
15.6%Draw %
36.2%Away Win %
44.1%Clean Sheet %
3.0%0-0 %
1.86Avg Home Goals
1.47Avg Away Goals
10.0Corners/Match
0.4Cards/Match
50.6%Home Poss.
49.4%Away Poss.
+15.00Home Advantage

Most Common Scorelines

The most frequently occurring final scorelines sorted by frequency. Each bar shows the number of matches and percentage ending with that exact score. Common scorelines help calibrate correct-score betting — a scoreline appearing in 15% or more of matches may offer value at typical odds.

1-0
7.4%(60)
2-1
7.3%(59)
1-2
7.0%(57)
1-1
6.9%(56)
2-0
6.3%(51)
0-1
6.3%(51)
0-2
5.4%(44)
2-2
5.2%(42)
3-1
4.7%(38)
3-0
4.4%(36)
3.32
Avg goals / game
2693
Total goals
1503
Home goals
1190
Away goals

FA CupSeason Trends

Goals distribution across 15-minute periods of play, revealing when goals are most likely to be scored. This is critical for live betting strategies — leagues with high concentrations of late goals (76-90 min) may offer value in late-goal markets, while first-half dominant leagues favor early cash-out strategies.

0-15
12.8%
16-30
13.2%
31-45
18.5%
46-60
17.5%
61-75
14.4%
76-90
23.6%

Top Scorers

The top 15 goalscorers in the FA Cup 2025 season. Pedro Neto leads with 4 goals, followed by Gabriel Martinelli (4) and E. Riis (3). These 15 players have scored 42 goals combined — key data for anytime goalscorer bets and understanding which teams depend on a single attacker.

Top Assists

The leading assist providers in the FA Cup 2025 season. J. Doku tops the chart with 4 assists, followed by A. Ben Slimane (4) and L. Delap (3). Assist leaders are often key creators whose involvement boosts their team's goalscoring — valuable context for both goalscorer and team performance markets.

Top Cards

Disciplinary leaders in the FA Cup 2025 season. J. Ruffels has received the most yellow cards with 2, followed by S. McLaughlin (2) and L. Reed (2) — 30 yellows in total among listed players. On the red card side, A. Drinan leads with 1. Card counts are essential for bookings markets and assessing which players are suspension risks.

Betting Profile

Frequent upsets

Historical statistics from 21 seasons of data showing how predictable this league is for betting purposes.

43%
26%
31%
Home winDrawAway win
2.71
Average goals per game
51%
Games with 3+ goals
53%
Both teams scored
49%
Pre-match favourite won
Based on 11,222 matches over 21 seasonsSource: football-data.co.uk

FA CupTeams

All 735 teams competing in the FA Cup 2025 season. Click any club to view their full squad, match history, and detailed statistics.

MUManchester UnitedNNewcastleFFulhamHHuddersfieldWWatfordWWolvesLLiverpoolSSouthamptonAArsenalCCardiffBBurnleyLLeicesterTTottenhamCChelseaMCManchester CityBBrightonCPCrystal PalaceBBirminghamBBrentfordBCBristol CityIIpswichMMillwallPPrestonWBWest BromWWiganSUSheffield UtdLLeedsHCHull CityAVAston VillaBBoltonDDerbyMMiddlesbroughNNorwichSWSheffield WednesdaySCStoke CitySSunderlandBBarnsleyBABurton AlbionAWAFC WimbledonBRBristol RoversCCharltonFTFleetwood TownNNorthamptonOUOxford UnitedRRochdaleSScunthorpeSSouthendWWalsallBBradfordBBuryCChesterfieldCCoventryMDMilton Keynes DonsOOldhamPPeterboroughPVPort ValeSShrewsburySTSwindon TownDDoncasterPPortsmouthBBlackpoolPPlymouthWWycombeLLutonCColchesterCTCrawley TownCCreweECExeter CityGGrimsbyHHartlepoolNCNewport CountySStevenageBBarnetCUCambridge UnitedCCarlisleCCheltenhamLOLeyton OrientMTMansfield TownMMorecambeYTYeovil TownFGForest GreenMMacclesfieldTTranmereATAldershot TownBBarrowCChesterDRDagenham & RedbridgeEEastleighGGatesheadGAGuiseley AFCMUMaidstone UtdSSouthportTTorquayYYorkDDoverBWBoreham WoodBBraintreeBBromleySMSolihull MoorsSUSutton UtdWWokingWWrexhamMMaidenheadAFAFC FyldeEUEbbsfleet UnitedFTFC Halifax TownHTHarrogate TownHWHavant & WvilleSCSalford CityATAlfreton TownBTBillericay TownCChorleyHRHampton & RichmondHBHaringey BoroughHTHitchin TownMPMetropolitan PoliceOCOxford CitySTSlough TownSCStockport CountyWWeston-super-MareAUAFC Telford UnitedCCChelmsford CityDDartfordGTGainsborough TrinityHHerefordHSHeybridge SwiftsHUHyde UnitedKHKidderminster HarriersLLeatherheadNTNantwich TownTCTruro CityAAltrinchamBTBrackley TownCUChesham UnitedCACurzon AshtonEBEastbourne BoroughHBHarrow BoroughMMersthamSTSpennymoor TownSCSt Albans CitySStamfordSStourbridgeTTTaunton TownWWestfieldsWWhitehawkASAFC SudburyAUAshford UnitedAAveleyAUAylesbury UnitedBBarkingBTBarnstaple TownBUBasildon UnitedBSBedfont SportsBUBedworth UnitedBBerkhamstedBBidefordBTBrentwood TownBTBurgess Hill TownCCCambridge CityCChipsteadCTCinderford TownCTCorby TownDTDidcot TownETEast Grinstead TownFTFrome TownGEGlossop North EndGAGrays AthleticGRGreat Wakering RoversGGuernseyHUHastings UnitedHBHerne BayHTHighworth TownHHistonHTHythe TownITIlkeston TownKTKendal TownLALarkhall AthleticLTLeek TownMTMelksham TownNTNewcastle TownNNorthwoodPRPaulton RoversPSPhoenix SportsPTPickering TownPCPontefract CollieriesRRomfordSTSevenoaks TownSSittingbourneSPSouth ParkSSStocksbridge Park SteelsSTSutton Coldfield TownTTThatcham TownTTilburyTUTooting & Mitcham UnitedUUxbridgeVAVCD AthleticWAWaltham AbbeyW(Westfield (Surrey)WWhyteleafeWRWilland RoversWTWitham TownWWorkingtonWTWorksop TownYYaxleyADAFC DunstableARAFC Kempston RoversATAFC TottonA(Ashford Town (Middlesex)BRBarton RoversBTBasingstoke TownBTBedford TownBTBelper TownBBiggleswadeBTBracknell TownBTBrighouse TownBFBristol Manor FarmBTBury TownCICanvey IslandCTCarlton TownCChasetownCTChertsey TownCCChichester CityCTCirencester TownCLCity of LiverpoolCTCleethorpes TownCClitheroeCTColeshill TownCPCray Valley PMDTDaventry TownDTDereham TownDUDunston UTSEUEvesham UnitedFTFaversham TownFUFelixstowe & Walton UtdFAFrickley AthleticHTHalesowen TownHTHanwell TownHTHarlow TownHTHaywards Heath TownHTHertford TownHSHullbridge SportsKKidlingtonKAKidsgrove AthleticLULincoln UnitedMTMaldon & TiptreeMUMangotsfield UnitedMMarineMMarlowMUMarske UnitedMMoneyfieldsMMossleyNLNorth LeighOUOssett UnitedPCPrescot CablesRURamsbottom UnitedRRamsgateRLRuncorn LinnetsSSheffieldSSholingSSlimbridgeSRSoham Town RangersSUSpalding UnitedSTSt Neots TownTATadcaster AlbionTUThame UnitedTBThree BridgesTTraffordWWareWCWelwyn Garden CityWTWhitstable TownWCWinchester CityWTWisbech TownAHAFC HornchurchADAFC Rushden & DiamondsAAlvechurchAUAshton UnitedACAtherton CollieriesBBBamber BridgeBUBanbury UnitedBBarwellBUBasford UnitedBTBeaconsfield TownBTBiggleswade TownBSBishop's StortfordBTBognor Regis TownBRBrightlingsea RegentBSBromsgrove SportingBBuxtonCACarshalton AthleticCCheshuntCCorinthian-CasualsCWCray WanderersDTDorchester TownETEnfield TownFFarnboroughFIFolkestone InvictaGBGosport BoroughGTGrantham TownHWHartley WintneyHUHayes & Yeading UnitedHTHednesford TownHHendonHHorshamKLKings LangleyKKingstonianLCLancaster CityLLeistonLLewesLTLowestoft TownMMargateMTMatlock TownMTMerthyr TownMSMickleover SportsMTMorpeth TownNMNeedham MarketPSPeterborough SportsPTPoole TownPTPotters Bar TownRRadcliffeRURedditch UnitedRTRoyston TownRORushall OlympicSSalisburySAScarborough AthleticSSSouth ShieldsSTSt Ives TownSRStafford RangersSCStalybridge CelticSTStratford TownSSSwindon SupermarineTTamworthTTTiverton TownUMUnited of ManchesterWTWarrington TownWTWhitby TownWTWimborne TownWFWingate & FinchleyWAWitton AlbionWWorthingYTYate TownBPBowers & PitseaBUBoston UnitedCTChippenham TownDHDulwich HamletBSBlyth SpartansBABradford (Park Avenue)GCGloucester CityKTKettering TownKTKing's Lynn TownLLeamingtonBCBath CityCRConcord RangersDWDorking WanderersHTHemel Hempstead TownHTHungerford TownTATonbridge AngelsWWealdstoneWUWelling UnitedWWeymouth1N1874 NorthwichAAAFC Croydon AthleticALAFC LiverpoolAMAFC MansfieldAPAFC PortchesterASAFC StonehamAWAFC WulfruniansAHAbbey HeyARAbbey RangersAUAbingdon UnitedASAlbion SportsASAndover New StreetANAnstey NomadsAUArdley UnitedATArlesey TownAUAscot UnitedAAAshington AFCATAtherstone TownAAvroADAylesbury Vale DynamosBLBadshot LeaBRBaffins Milton RoversBTBaldock TownBBalhamBTBarnoldswick TownBBBarton Town Old BoysBBashleyBBearstedBTBeckenham TownBHBemerton Heath Harleq.BUBexhill UnitedBUBiggleswade UnitedBBinfieldBABishop AucklandBCBishop's CleeveBMBoldmere St. MichaelsBBootleBTBottesford TownBFBournemouth FCBTBradford TownBABrantham AthleticBTBridgwater TownBTBridlington TownBBrislingtonBHBroadbridge HeathBUBroadfields UnitedBBrockenhurstBABuckland AthleticBMBugbrooke St MichaelsBBurnhamBBurscoughCTCamberley TownCCampionCRCharnock RichardCTChatham TownCChristchurchCTClevedon TownCCobhamCCockfostersCHColney HeathCTCongleton TownCConsettCCorinthianCSCoventry SphinxCUCoventry UnitedCSCowes SportsCGCrawley Down GatwickCGCrawley GreenCCribbsCACrowborough AthleticDTDeal TownDRDeeping RangersDTDunstable TownESEasington SportsETEastbourne TownEUEastbourne UnitedEUEccleshill UnitedETEdgware TownETEgham TownECEly CityE1Enfield 1893EBErith & BelvedereETErith TownEExmouthEREynesbury RoversFTFairford TownFTFakenham TownFTFareham TownFTFarnham TownFFisherFHFlackwell HeathFTFleet TownGTGarforth TownGGlebeGRGodmanchester RoversGGorlestonGTGreat Yarmouth TownGGresleyGBGrimsby BoroughGCGuildford CityGTGuisborough TownHWHackney WickHUHadleigh UnitedHHadleyHHallamHHallenHTHalstead TownHCHamble ClubHPHandsworth ParramoreHTHanley TownHVHanworth VillaHTHarborough TownHUHarefield UnitedHTHarpenden TownHPHarwich & ParkestonHHassocksHRHaverhill RoversHTHeanor TownHTHebburn TownHBHollands & BlairHTHorley TownHHorndeanHYHorsham YMCAHDHythe & DibdenIIlfordIIrlamKPKirkley & PakefieldKKnaphillKTKnaresborough TownLLancingLNLeicester NirvanaLTLeighton TownLGLeverstock GreenLCLichfield CityLLingfieldLRLitherland RemycaLCLittle CommonLLiversedgeLULong Eaton UnitedLLonglevensLTLongridge TownLULoughborough UniversityLBLower BreckLTLutterworth TownLTLydney TownLTLye TownMTMalvern TownMUMarch Town UnitedMTMelton TownMTMildenhall TownMWMulbarton WanderersNBNewcastle BenfieldNNewhavenNTNewmarket TownNTNewport Pagnell TownNANewton AycliffeNUNorth Greenford UnitedNSNorth ShieldsNTNorthallerton TownNCNorthampton ON ChenecksNVNorthwich VictoriaOTOadby TownPPadihamPPaghamPTPeacehaven & TelscombePCPenistone ChurchPAPenrith AFCPPPlymouth ParkwayPUPortland UnitedPUPotton UnitedPUPunjab UnitedQQuornRWRacing Club WarwickRVRaynes Park ValeRCReading CityRRedbridgeRRedhillRGRoman Glass St GeorgeRRomulusRWRoyal WoottonRTRugby TownRRusthallRRylandsSTSaffron Walden TownSUSaltash UnitedSTSawbridgeworth TownSTShaftesbury TownSSheerwaterSUSheppey UnitedSDShepshed DynamoSMShepton MalletSCSherwood CollierySAShildon AFCSShorehamSSilsdenSSouthallSUSporting Bengal UnitedSKSporting KhalsaSASt AustellSRStanway RoversSTSteyning TownSTStockton TownSAStone Old AlleyniansSStotfoldSSStourport SwiftsSTStowmarket TownSStreetSASutton AthleticSRSutton Common RoversTCTadley CallevaTTakeleyTTavistockTThackleyTTThetford TownTThornabyTTThornbury TownTTividaleTHTower HamletsTATring AthleticTRTuffley RoversTWTunbridge WellsVVarndeaniansVMVauxhall MotorsVWVirginia WaterWWWalsham Le WillowsWWalthamstowWHWalton & HershamWTWellingborough TownWAWellington AFCWTWest Auckland TownWCWest Didsbury & ChorltonWEWest EssexWUWestbury UnitedWWhickhamWAWhitchurch AlportWEWhite EnsignWBWhitley BayWUWinsford UnitedWUWinslow UnitedWTWoodbridge TownWTWoodford TownWCWorcester CityWWroxhamD1Darlington 1883NTNuneaton TownAEAFC EmleyBBroctonCChaddertonCACrook Town AFCEFEpsom & Ewell FCHUHarrowby UnitedHSHeaton StanningtonHAHinckley AFCHHolmesdaleHHolyportIWIpswich WanderersLTLittlehampton TownMUMilton UnitedNTNew Milton TownPParkgatePTPetersfield TownRRRisborough RangersSTSherborne TownSRSileby RangersWCWest Allotment CelticWTWincanton TownATAlton TownCTCorsham TownCACroydon AthleticDDowntonDTDudley TownSStudleyTATorpoint AthleticBBlackstonesCTCheadle TownEVEast Cowes VictoriaHTHucknall TownLLLondon LionsOAOldland AbbotoniansSBSt BlazeyARAtherton Laburnum RoversBTBirtley TownRMRossington MainSFShifnal Town FCBBenfleetHUHashtag UnitedHAHelston AthleticKKenningtonLOLittle OakleyNFNewark FlowserveSStansfeldWAWythenshawe AmateursHUHighgate UnitedANAthletic NewhamBBrixhamECEastwood CommunityJBJersey BullsLLakenheathMIMilton Keynes IrishMMouseholeNFNorth FerribyPHPrestwich HeysRARedcar AthleticSTSkegness TownUTUttoxeter TownWTWythenshawe TownGUGolcar UnitedNNewmarketRLRayners LaneRRoffeyBUBelper UnitedBHBuckhurst HillCCCarlisle CityDTDarlaston TownFTFalmouth TownHPHereford PegasusHHilltopKWKimberley Miners WelfareLFLaverstock & FordMEMidhurst & EasebourneWRWorcester RaidersDSDroitwich SpaEVEuxton 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FA CupReferees

View all referees

Top 10 referees officiating in the FA Cup, led by Anthony Taylor. Compare cards issued, goals per match, and strictness to anticipate how the assigned referee might influence match flow and card-related bets.

Officiated
14
5
0
Y/M
0.36
R/M
0.00
Goals
38
Officiated
14
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
42
Officiated
14
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
36
Officiated
13
4
0
Y/M
0.31
R/M
0.00
Goals
41
Officiated
13
5
0
Y/M
0.38
R/M
0.00
Goals
39
Officiated
13
6
0
Y/M
0.46
R/M
0.00
Goals
39
Officiated
12
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
32
Officiated
12
4
0
Y/M
0.33
R/M
0.00
Goals
35
Officiated
12
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
32
Officiated
11
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
34

FA CupPast Seasons

Browse 8 archived seasons of the FA Cup, from 2017 to 2024. Each season page includes full standings, top scorers, and match results — useful for comparing historical performance and identifying long-term betting patterns.

History 17 May 2025

Founded1871

The FA Cup was established in 1871 by the Football Association as football was still developing its standardized rules and structure. It was the world's first national football competition, predating the English Football League by 15 years and serving as the blueprint for cup competitions worldwide. The competition has evolved from a simple knockout tournament involving a handful of clubs to a complex multi-round spectacle featuring over 700 teams. In 2004, the competition underwent significant rebranding when Emirates secured the title sponsorship rights, becoming the Emirates FA Cup. This partnership has continued to grow the competition's global reach and commercial value. The FA Cup has remained remarkably consistent in format—a pure knockout competition—allowing for the possibility of underdog victories that have defined its romantic appeal throughout modern football history.

  • 1871 — The Wanderers FC win the first-ever FA Cup, establishing football's oldest competition
  • 1887 — Preston North End score 26-0 against Hyde FC, the largest margin of victory in FA Cup history
  • 1923 — The first FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium draws a world-record crowd of 126,047
  • 1980 — Harlow Town (non-league) defeat Leicester City 1-0 in one of the greatest giant-killings
  • 2004 — Emirates becomes title sponsor, the competition is rebranded as the Emirates FA Cup
  • 2025 — Crystal Palace win their first major trophy, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final

Competition Format 17 May 2025

The FA Cup operates as a pure single-elimination knockout tournament, fundamentally different from league competitions. The competition spans multiple rounds, beginning with qualifying rounds for lower-league clubs, before Premier League and Championship teams enter in the Third Round Proper. Each round features head-to-head matches with immediate elimination for the loser. If a match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, a replay match is scheduled (with extra time and penalties if necessary). The tournament progresses through rounds of 32, 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final. The final is contested at Wembley Stadium in May and is a single match determining the champion. This format creates the competition's defining characteristic—the possibility of smaller clubs eliminating larger rivals, producing the dramatic upsets that have become legendary in FA Cup folklore.

Records 17 May 2025

Most titlesArsenal (14)All-time top scorerHarry Kane (17 goals)

Manchester City set the modern-era FA Cup record with a 10-0 victory over Fulham in 2023, the largest winning margin by a Premier League team in the competition's recent history.

Analysis 17 May 2025

Current Season Analysis

The 2024-25 FA Cup season concluded with a historic moment as Crystal Palace claimed their first major trophy in club history, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025. The South London club's triumph was secured by a first-half goal from winger Eberechi Eze, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson producing a crucial penalty save to preserve the victory. This result ended Manchester City's bid for a domestic cup double and represented one of the competition's most memorable upsets in recent years, as Palace had been 5000/1 outsiders at the start of the season.

The 2024-25 campaign was notable for its competitive depth and the emergence of several standout performers beyond the traditional elite clubs. Josh Magennis of Exeter City finished as the tournament's top scorer with 6 goals, demonstrating the competition's ability to showcase talent from lower divisions. Eze's crucial final goal capped a strong tournament performance where he scored 4 times across the competition, combining precision with the creative flair that defined his campaign. The final itself was a masterclass in defensive organization from Palace, who controlled possession against the reigning Premier League champions and executed their game plan with discipline and resilience.

The path to the final saw numerous dramatic encounters and traditional FA Cup storylines. Lower-league clubs continued the competition's proud tradition of giant-killing, with several non-league and lower-division teams reaching advanced stages before succumbing to top-flight opposition. The early rounds featured the customary mix of replays and dramatic comebacks, with several matches going to extra time and penalties. The quarterfinal and semifinal stages showcased the quality of England's elite, with several Premier League clubs competing for the opportunity to contest the final.

Manchester City's defeat marked a significant moment for the competition, as it demonstrated that even the most dominant domestic force remains vulnerable in the knockout format that defines the FA Cup's character. City had been seeking to add the FA Cup to their Premier League title, but Palace's organized approach and clinical finishing proved decisive. The result provided vindication for Palace manager Oliver Glaston's tactical setup and highlighted the unpredictability that makes the FA Cup such a compelling competition.

The FA Cup's Global Significance and Commercial Evolution

The FA Cup occupies a unique position in world football as both the oldest national cup competition and a tournament that has consistently resisted the homogenization of modern football. While the Premier League has become the world's most-watched league, the FA Cup maintains its romantic appeal through the possibility of underdog victories and the involvement of clubs from the seventh tier of English football. This democratic structure—where any club, regardless of league status, can theoretically reach the final—sets the FA Cup apart from other major European cup competitions and explains its enduring appeal to broadcasters and global audiences.

The competition's recent commercial development reflects its continued value in the modern football landscape. The new broadcasting agreement between TNT Sports and BBC Sport, effective from the 2025-26 season, guarantees free-to-air coverage of 14 matches per season on BBC Sport, ensuring continued accessibility to British audiences. This partnership represents a significant evolution from previous arrangements and demonstrates the Football Association's commitment to maintaining the competition's prominence despite the rise of subscription-based football viewing. The global broadcast reach extends to over 200 territories, with the final regularly attracting viewership exceeding 100 million people worldwide.

Arsenal's Dominance and the Search for New Champions

Arsenal stands as the competition's most successful club with 14 FA Cup victories, a record that reflects both the club's sustained excellence and their particular success in cup competitions over the past two decades. The Gunners have won 5 of their 14 titles since 2002, including memorable victories in 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, and 2020. This concentration of recent success demonstrates Arsenal's ability to compete for the cup while managing league obligations, a balance that has become increasingly challenging for top clubs in the modern era. Manchester United follows with 13 titles, with their most recent success coming in 2016, while Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham each possess 8 titles.

The emergence of Crystal Palace as FA Cup winners breaks the dominance of the traditional elite and suggests the competition retains its capacity to produce surprising champions. While Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have won most of the Premier League titles in recent years, the FA Cup's knockout format creates opportunities for well-organized mid-table clubs to mount serious campaigns. This dynamic has become increasingly important for clubs seeking to justify investment and provide silverware to their supporters, making the FA Cup a crucial objective for teams outside the title-winning conversation.

The Enduring Appeal of Giant-Killings and Romantic Moments

The FA Cup's history is defined by moments of dramatic upset that have become embedded in football folklore. The competition's most famous giant-killing occurred in 1980 when Harlow Town, a non-league club from the sixth tier, defeated Leicester City 1-0, with statisticians calculating the odds at approximately 1 in 1,800. More recently, Macclesfield Town shocked holders Crystal Palace by defeating them despite being in the sixth tier, adding to the competition's reputation for producing unexpected results. These moments have become the FA Cup's defining characteristic and explain why the competition maintains cultural significance beyond its sporting importance.

The structure of the competition—featuring qualifying rounds for lower-league clubs and the entry of Premier League teams only in the Third Round Proper—creates genuine opportunities for smaller clubs to face elite opposition. This format, unchanged in its fundamental principle for over 150 years, ensures that the FA Cup remains distinct from other competitions and provides the possibility of life-changing moments for players and clubs from lower divisions. The involvement of over 700 clubs means that the competition spans English football from the Premier League down to the seventh tier, creating a true national tournament that encompasses the entire pyramid structure.

The 2025 Final and Crystal Palace's Historic Achievement

Crystal Palace's victory in the 2025 final represents a watershed moment for the club and reinforces the FA Cup's capacity to produce surprising champions. The club, founded in 1905, had never previously won a major trophy despite reaching the final on multiple occasions. Their 1-0 victory over Manchester City, achieved through Eze's first-half goal and Henderson's crucial penalty save, demonstrated that cup football rewards organization, determination, and clinical finishing as much as possession and attacking dominance. The victory provided Palace with a significant achievement and validated their investment in squad development under their management structure.

The final itself was contested before a crowd of 84,814 at Wembley Stadium, with the atmosphere reflecting the significance of the occasion. For Crystal Palace supporters, the victory ended decades of waiting for a major trophy and provided the club with European football qualification through the Europa League. For Manchester City, the defeat represented a rare setback in a period of extraordinary dominance, though it did not diminish their achievement in winning the Premier League title that same season. The contrast between the two clubs' resources and recent success made Palace's victory all the more remarkable and reinforced the FA Cup's capacity to produce unexpected outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the FA Cup first played?

The FA Cup was first played in 1871, making it the world's oldest national football competition. The Wanderers FC won the inaugural tournament.

How many teams participate in the FA Cup?

Over 700 clubs from the top seven tiers of English football participate in the FA Cup, including Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, National League, and lower-tier clubs.

Who has won the most FA Cup titles?

Arsenal has won the most FA Cup titles with 14 victories. Manchester United is second with 13 titles, followed by Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham with 8 titles each.

What is the biggest scoreline in FA Cup history?

Preston North End defeated Hyde FC 26-0 in 1887, which remains the largest margin of victory in the competition's history. In the modern era, Manchester City's 10-0 victory over Fulham in 2023 is the record.

How does the FA Cup final work?

The FA Cup final is a single match played at Wembley Stadium in May between the two remaining teams. If the match ends in a draw, extra time and a penalty shootout determine the winner.

Who won the 2024-25 FA Cup?

Crystal Palace won the 2024-25 FA Cup, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final on May 17, 2025. The victory was Crystal Palace's first major trophy in club history.

API data: 28 Apr 2026 · Stats updated: 26 Apr 2026 · Content updated: 17 May 2025