The FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world. It is an annual knockout tournament organized by the Football Association (FA) and open to any men’s football team affiliated with the FA. The FA Cup has been held every year since 1871-1872. Over 700 clubs take part each season.
How does the FA Cup work?
The FA Cup begins with clubs from the 10th level and below of the English football league system. These amateur and semi-pro teams compete in qualifying rounds to earn a place in the First Round Proper. Clubs from League 1 and League 2 enter at this stage. Championship and Premier League teams join in the Third Round Proper in early January.
Matches are decided by a one-off tie, with a replay if the match ends in a draw. If the replay is also a draw, then extra time and penalties may be required to determine a winner. Replays were removed for the quarter-finals onwards for the 2016–17 edition, and from the fifth round onwards from the 2018–19 edition. All ties are played at the venue of the team drawn first in each fixture.
Winning teams advance to the next round until there are only two teams left. They meet in the final at Wembley Stadium in London in May. The winners receive the FA Cup trophy and qualify for the following season’s UEFA Europa League group stage.
What is the format and schedule of the FA Cup?
Here is an overview of the FA Cup format and schedule:
| Round | Teams Entering | Number of Teams | Month Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Preliminary Round | Lowest ranked clubs | 184 | August |
| Preliminary Round | Winners of Extra Preliminary Round | 160 | August |
| First Round Qualifying | Winners of Preliminary Round | 116 | September |
| Second Round Qualifying | Winners of First Round Qualifying | 80 | September |
| Third Round Qualifying | Winners of Second Round Qualifying | 40 | October |
| Fourth Round Qualifying | Winners of Third Round Qualifying | 32 | October |
| First Round Proper | League 1 & 2 clubs enter | 64 | November |
| Second Round Proper | Winners of First Round Proper | 32 | December |
| Third Round Proper | Championship & Premier League clubs enter | 64 | January |
| Fourth Round Proper | Winners of Third Round Proper | 32 | January/February |
| Fifth Round Proper | Winners of Fourth Round Proper | 16 | February |
| Quarter Finals | Winners of Fifth Round Proper | 8 | March |
| Semi Finals | Winners of Quarter Finals | 4 | April |
| Final | Winners of Semi Finals | 2 | May |
As you can see, the early rounds in August-October involve lower league and amateur clubs competing in qualifying rounds to reach the First Round Proper. The big teams enter in January at the Third Round Proper, when there are just 64 teams remaining.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final are held at neutral venues, usually large stadiums. The semi-finals and final take place at Wembley Stadium.
Who participates in the FA Cup?
All clubs affiliated with the FA are eligible to enter the FA Cup. This allows even the smallest amateur clubs to have the chance to play against the big Premier League teams.
Here are the leagues and number of clubs that can qualify for the FA Cup:
- Premier League – 20 clubs
- English Football League Championship – 24 clubs
- English Football League 1 – 24 clubs
- English Football League 2 – 24 clubs
- National League – 24 clubs
- National League North and South – 44 clubs combined
- Northern Premier League, Southern League, and Isthmian League – over 200 clubs combined across Steps 3-6 of non-league football
In total over 700 clubs compete in the FA Cup qualifying rounds each season. A few Welsh clubs also take part. Premier League and Championship clubs get a bye into the Third Round Proper in January when the big teams join.
What is the prize money for winning the FA Cup?
The FA Cup winner receives prize money from the FA in addition to the prestigious trophy. For the 2021-22 season, the prize money was:
- Winning team – £1.8 million
- Runner-up – £900,000
- Semi-finalists – £450,000 each
- Quarter-finalists – £225,000 each
- Fourth round losers – £90,000 each
- Third round losers – £67,500 each
- Second round losers – £22,500 each
The further a team progresses in the competition, the more prize money they earn from the FA. Of course, reaching and winning the final is also hugely prestigious and earns substantial additional revenue from gate receipts, merchandise, sponsorship, and qualification for Europe.
What is the history and origins of the FA Cup?
The FA Cup was established in 1871 during a meeting at the Freemasons’ Tavern in London. The Football Association, established in 1863, was looking for ways to raise money and unite clubs across the country.
They agreed on a new knockout competition open to all clubs affiliated with the FA. Fifteen teams entered the first edition of the FA Cup in 1871-72. Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0 in the first final held at Kennington Oval in London.
The cup quickly grew in popularity through the late 19th century. Regional qualifiers were introduced to accommodate the expanding number of entrants. Football league clubs joined from 1888 onwards.
Some of the early FA Cup highlights include:
- 1872 – Wanderers retain the trophy after a goalless draw with Oxford University in the final.
- 1876 – Wanderers win a record third straight FA Cup.
- 1884 – Blackburn Rovers win 6-1 against Queen’s Park in the final.
- 1888 – West Bromwich Albion defeat Preston North End 2–1 in the first Cup final between Football League clubs.
- 1901 – Tottenham Hotspur become the only non-League club to win the Cup with a 3–1 win over Sheffield United.
The FA Cup has continued to grow in stature ever since. It is now one of the most famous football competitions in the world, steeped in history and tradition. A new chapter is written every year as lower league sides get the chance to cause an upset against more illustrious opponents.
Most Successful Teams
Here are the teams that have won the FA Cup the most times throughout its 150+ year history:
| Team | Wins | Last Win |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 14 | 2020 |
| Manchester United | 12 | 2016 |
| Chelsea | 8 | 2018 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 1991 |
| Liverpool | 7 | 2006 |
Arsenal hold the record for most FA Cup wins with 14. Manchester United have won 12 times while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have 8 wins each. Liverpool have won the trophy 7 times.
What are some of the most famous FA Cup moments?
With over 150 years of history, there have been many dramatic and memorable moments in the FA Cup. Here are some of the most famous:
- 1966 – England won the World Cup at Wembley Stadium, the same venue that hosted that year’s FA Cup final.
- 1970 – Chelsea beat Leeds United 2-1 in a final replay dubbed the “Battle of Wembley” for its brutal play.
- 1971 – The first eyes and ears derby between Tottenham and Arsenal featured a late Tottenham winner by Ralph Coates.
- 1976 – Southampton pulled off a giant-killing by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final.
- 1988 – Wimbledon won the final against Liverpool thanks to Lawrie Sanchez’s looping header, one of the biggest FA Cup upsets.
- 1989 – Liverpool beat Everton 3-2 in the final in a match remembered for Ian Rush’s brace and Stuart McCall’s red card.
- 1990 – Dennis Wise gave Chelsea an extra-time winner over Middlesbrough in the infamous “Battle of the Bridge.”
- 2001 – Liverpool came back from 1-0 down against Arsenal to win 2-1 with two late Michael Owen goals.
- 2010 – Portsmouth beat Chelsea 1-0 to incredibly win the FA Cup while battling Premier League relegation.
- 2013 – Wigan Athletic stunned Manchester City 1-0 in the final before getting relegated from the Premier League.
From huge upsets to dramatic late goals, the FA Cup has delivered countless moments to remember over its long and illustrious history.
Conclusion
The FA Cup is the world’s oldest football cup competition, capturing the imagination of fans since 1871. Its famous knockout format gives minnows a chance to bring down giants of the game. After qualification rounds involving hundreds of teams, the Third Round sees top Premier League clubs join the fray.
Progressing through each stage earns clubs more prize money and glory. Arsenal hold the record with 14 FA Cup wins but almost any club can dream of reaching the final at Wembley Stadium. The FA Cup’s long history is filled with classic moments and unexpected triumphs. Football fans eagerly await the next chapter each year.