The FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world, having been contested since 1871-72. As one of the most prestigious domestic cups in England, winning the FA Cup is considered a huge achievement. But which teams have lifted the famous trophy the most number of times?
Quick Answer
Arsenal have won the FA Cup the most times, with 14 victories.
FA Cup Winners
Here is the full list of FA Cup winners and the number of times they have lifted the trophy:
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Arsenal | 14 |
| Manchester United | 12 |
| Chelsea | 8 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 8 |
| Liverpool | 7 |
| Aston Villa | 7 |
| Newcastle United | 6 |
| Manchester City | 6 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 6 |
| Everton | 5 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 5 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 |
| Wanderers | 5 |
| Sheffield United | 4 |
| West Ham United | 3 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 3 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 3 |
| Preston North End | 2 |
| Portsmouth | 2 |
| Sunderland | 2 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2 |
| Old Etonians | 2 |
| Blackpool | 1 |
| Derby County | 1 |
| Burnley | 1 |
| Leeds United | 1 |
| Southampton | 1 |
| Ipswich Town | 1 |
| Coventry City | 1 |
| Wigan Athletic | 1 |
Arsenal
With 14 FA Cup triumphs, Arsenal are the team that has lifted the trophy the most times. Their first win came in 1930 when they beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in the final. Their most recent win was in 2020, when they defeated Chelsea 2-1.
Arsenal dominated the competition in the early 2000s, winning it three times in four years between 2002 and 2005. This included defeating Southampton 1-0 in 2003 and Manchester United on penalties in 2005 after a goalless draw. Their manager during this period was Arsene Wenger.
Some of Arsenal’s other historic FA Cup wins include:
- 1971 – Beat Liverpool 2-1 in extra time
- 1979 – Beat Manchester United 3-2 in a classic final
- 1993 – 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, winning both domestic cups
- 1998 – Marc Overmars scored winner against Newcastle in Arsene Wenger’s first season
- 2002 – 2-0 victory against Chelsea with stunning goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg
Arsenal have a long and proud history in the FA Cup. Lifting the trophy a record 14 times cements their status as the competition’s most successful club.
Manchester United
Manchester United are second on the all-time list with 12 FA Cup triumphs. Their first win was in 1909 when they beat Bristol City 1-0 in the first FA Cup final held at the Empire Stadium, Wembley.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United had a sustained period of success in the FA Cup during the 1990s. This included victories in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2004.
Some of the club’s other famous wins include:
- 1948 – Matt Busby’s team beat Blackpool 4-2 in his first season as manager
- 1963 – 3-1 win over Leicester City as United became the first English team to win the double of the league and FA Cup
- 1977 – 2-1 victory against Liverpool as they won the treble of the FA Cup, League and European Cup
- 1990 – Mark Hughes’ heroic late goals beat Oldham Athletic in extra time in the first final at the new Wembley
- 2016 – Jesse Lingard’s superb extra time winner against Crystal Palace
Although United have not won the cup since 2016, their rich history in the competition means they will likely add to their trophy haul in the future.
Chelsea
Chelsea are third on the all-time list with 8 wins from 15 final appearances. Their first victory was in 1970 when they defeated Leeds United 2-1 in a replay after the first match ended 2-2.
The Blues dominated the cup during the late 20th and early 21st century, winning it four times between 1997 and 2012. This included triumphs in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Some key facts about Chelsea’s FA Cup wins:
- Only victories in 1970, 1997 and 2000 came in finals at the old Wembley Stadium
- Four wins at the new Wembley Stadium since it opened in 2007
- Beat Liverpool 2-1 in 2012 final with cup-winning goal from Didier Drogba
- First team to win the FA Cup at both old and new Wembley Stadiums
- Most recent win was 1-0 against Manchester United in 2018 final
With a squad full of top talent, Chelsea will likely continue to challenge for the FA Cup most seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur
Along with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur have won the FA Cup 8 times. Their first win was a 3-0 victory over Wolves in 1901, making them the first non-League side to win the competition.
Spurs had great success in the early 1960s, winning the cup in 1961, 1962 and 1967. Their most recent win was in 1991 when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in a repeat of the 1967 final.
Here are some interesting facts about Tottenham and the FA Cup:
- They have lost the final a record 9 times
- Last final appearance was loss to Chelsea in 2018
- Seven wins came before 1915, only one win since then
- Won cup 6 times in 9 years between 1901-1921
- Most goals scored in a final was 3-1 win v Leicester in 1999
Despite a lack of recent success, their historic cup pedigree means Spurs can never be written off.
Liverpool
Liverpool are fifth on the all-time list with 7 FA Cup wins from 14 final appearances. Their first victory was in 1965 when they defeated Leeds United 2-1 after extra time.
The Reds dominated the cup in the 1980s, lifting the trophy twice. This included the ‘double’ winning side of 1986 that beat Everton 3-1 in the final.
Some key Liverpool FA Cup final facts:
- Most recent win was under Jurgen Klopp in 2006, beating Chelsea on penalties
- Five wins in finals held at old Wembley Stadium
- Have never lost an FA Cup final in normal time – 4 defeats all came after extra time or penalties
- Only needed a replay once (win v Leeds in 1965)
- Won three finals by 3-1 scoreline (beating Everton twice and Newcastle)
Liverpool’s success in the modern Premier League era means adding to their 7 FA Cup wins is a distinct possibility.
Other Notable FA Cup Winning Sides
While Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool lead the way, many other famous English clubs have also tasted success in the FA Cup.
Aston Villa – 7 Wins
Aston Villa won the cup 7 times between 1887 and 1957. This included victories in 1905, 1913, 1920 and 1957. They have appeared in the final 11 times in total.
Newcastle United – 6 Wins
Newcastle lifted the FA Cup 6 times between 1910 and 1955. This included three successive wins in 1951, 1952 and 1955.
Manchester City – 6 Wins
Manchester City have 6 FA Cup wins but their first did not come until 1904. Recent triumphs came under Roberto Mancini in 2011 and Manuel Pellegrini in 2019.
Blackburn Rovers – 6 Wins
Blackburn enjoyed success in the late 19th century, winning the FA Cup 5 times between 1884 and 1891. They also triumphed in 1928.
Everton – 5 Wins
Everton’s wins came in 1906, 1933, 1966, 1984 and 1995. The 1966 and 1995 victories were both in memorable finals against Manchester United.
A number of other sides have won the FA Cup 3 or 4 times. Wanderers and Blackburn have also tasted significant success in the past.
Conclusion
With 14 wins, Arsenal are undoubtedly the most successful team in FA Cup history. Their closest challengers Manchester United have 12 victories.
In recent decades the cup has been dominated by the Premier League’s ‘big six’ clubs. Along with Arsenal and Man Utd, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Man City have the most wins since the late 20th century.
But the beauty of the FA Cup is that any team from any level of English football can qualify and dream of a historic run. While the big teams have the most victories, lower league sides like Wigan, Coventry and Ipswich have all etched their name on the trophy.
The FA Cup’s rich history since 1871 makes it one of the most famous and prestigious domestic cup competitions in the world. While some teams like Arsenal and Man United top the winners list, the most special moments often come when unfancied teams defy the odds.
