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FA Cup Final Date 2025 – 17 May Wembley Palace vs City

Arthur Clarke Bennett • 2026-03-30 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

The 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup Final took place on Saturday 17 May 2025 at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. Crystal Palace faced Manchester City in a fixture scheduled for 4:30pm BST, marking the culmination of the season’s knockout competition.

Crystal Palace reached their first final since 2016 following a semi-final victory over Aston Villa on 26 April 2025. Manchester City secured their third consecutive final appearance by defeating Nottingham Forest on 27 April 2025, continuing their recent dominance in domestic cup competitions.

The competition concluded with specific broadcast arrangements across BBC and ITV platforms. Ticketing operated through official FA channels and authorised resale markets, while the 2025-26 season schedule commences in August 2025.

What is the date and timetable for the FA Cup Final 2025?

Date: 17 May 2025
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Teams: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Kick-off: 4:30pm BST

Key Facts at a Glance

  1. The Football Association confirmed the 4:30pm BST start time for the 2024-25 final.
  2. Crystal Palace reached the final by defeating Aston Villa in the semi-final on 26 April 2025.
  3. Manchester City secured their place with a semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest on 27 April 2025.
  4. The 2025-26 season will conclude with the final on 16 May 2026.
  5. Winners received £2,000,000 in prize money, with runners-up receiving £1,000,000.
Attribute Details
Competition Emirates FA Cup 2024-25
Final Date 17 May 2025
Kick-off Time 4:30pm BST (3:30pm UTC)
Venue Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Location London
Capacity Approximately 90,000
Teams Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Semi-final Dates 26-27 April 2025
2026 Final Date 16 May 2026
TV Broadcast BBC One, ITV1
Streaming BBC iPlayer, ITVX
Radio BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT

The FA confirmed the kick-off time and running order in official documentation published on 3 May 2025. Pre-match entertainment featured DJ Tony Perry and the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, scheduled from 3:00pm BST.

Where was the FA Cup Final 2025 held?

Wembley Stadium connected by EE hosted the final, maintaining the venue’s status as the permanent home of the competition since 2007. The stadium accommodates approximately 90,000 spectators for major football fixtures.

Stadium History and Significance

Wembley has hosted every FA Cup Final since the stadium reopened in 2007 following reconstruction. The venue replaced the original 1923 stadium and has since become synonymous with the season’s culminating fixture. The Football Association utilises the connected by EE branding for sponsorship alignment.

Location and Access

The stadium sits in North West London, accessible via Wembley Park Station on the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines, and Wembley Central Station for overground services. Matchday travel restrictions typically apply within the immediate vicinity during major finals.

Venue Clarification

Emirates serves as the title sponsor of the FA Cup competition, not the venue operator. The 2025 final took place at Wembley Stadium in Brent, not at Emirates Stadium in North London. This distinction frequently generates confusion among spectators seeking location information.

Groundhopper Guides and other travel resources documented the venue arrangements and transport options for the 17 May fixture in their pre-match briefing materials.

What were the results of the FA Cup Final 2025?

Match results remain unavailable in current documentation. Materials reviewed predate the 17 May 2025 kick-off, containing fixture details but lacking post-match outcomes.

Documentation Limitations

Sources from the Football Association, Radio Times, and event preview services confirm team selections, kick-off times, and broadcast arrangements. However, these materials do not record the final score, goalscorers, or match statistics.

Result Availability

Official results typically publish immediately following the final whistle through the FA’s digital channels and broadcast partners. At the time of publication, these post-match reports were not yet incorporated into available reference materials.

Result Pending

Source materials reviewed predate the 17 May 2025 match. Consequently, the final score, match winner, and detailed statistics were not available for inclusion. Readers should consult current sports databases for confirmed results.

Event preview documentation published by Eventmasters detailed the pre-match schedule but did not include post-fixture analysis.

How to get tickets for the FA Cup Final 2025?

Primary ticketing concluded prior to the 17 May 2025 match date. Resale options remained available through third-party platforms, though standard admission tickets are no longer obtainable for this specific fixture.

Official Distribution Channels

The Football Association distributed tickets through official membership ballots and club allocation systems. Wembley Hospitality Membership provided premium seating options for the final, typically including pre-match dining and exclusive lounge access.

Authorised Resale Markets

Football Ticket Net listed available tickets starting at approximately £249.99 prior to the event, subject to availability and dynamic pricing. Groundhopper Guides facilitated ticket packages combining match admission with travel guidance. These resale channels operated independently of the FA’s official distribution.

VIP and Corporate Hospitality

Eventmasters offered VIP hospitality packages for the 17 May final, including premium category seating and extended refreshment service. Such packages remain the only viable ticket option for past fixtures, though availability diminishes post-event.

Post-Event Ticket Status

Standard tickets for the 2025 final are no longer available through primary or secondary channels. Future finals require monitoring of thefa.com for ballot registration periods, typically opening months in advance of the May fixture.

Ticket pricing and availability details were documented by Football Ticket Net ahead of the match, while Eventmasters outlined hospitality options for the Wembley fixture.

What is the complete FA Cup 2025-26 schedule?

The 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup begins in August 2025 and concludes on 16 May 2026. The Football Association has confirmed early qualifying round dates, with later rounds following the traditional seasonal progression.

  1. Extra Preliminary Round: 2 August 2025
  2. Preliminary Round: 16 August 2025
  3. First Qualifying Round: 30 August 2025
  4. First Round Proper: November 2025 (projected)
  5. Second Round Proper: December 2025 (projected)
  6. Third Round Proper: January 2026 (projected)
  7. Fourth Round Proper: February 2026 (projected)
  8. Fifth Round Proper: March 2026 (projected)
  9. Quarter-Finals: March 2026 (projected)
  10. Semi-Finals: April 2026 (projected)
  11. Final: 16 May 2026 at Wembley Stadium

The 2026 final date represents a slight calendar shift from the 17 May 2025 scheduling, likely reflecting broader fixture planning considerations. The FA’s official round dates page confirms the August 2025 commencement and May 2026 conclusion.

What is confirmed versus uncertain about the 2025 final?

Established Information

  • Date: 17 May 2025
  • Time: 4:30pm BST (3:30pm UTC)
  • Venue: Wembley Stadium connected by EE
  • Teams: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
  • Broadcast: BBC One, ITV1, BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT
  • Prize Money: £2,000,000 (winners), £1,000,000 (runners-up)
  • Semi-final results: Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace; Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester City

Information That Remains Unclear

  • Final match score and result
  • Goalscorers and match statistics
  • Confirmed starting line-ups
  • Final attendance figures
  • Post-match disciplinary actions
  • Availability of extended highlights in archival sources

What is the historical significance of the 2025 fixture?

The 2025 final marked Crystal Palace’s return to Wembley for the first time since their 2016 final, representing a nine-year absence from the competition’s concluding fixture. For Manchester City, the appearance constituted their third consecutive final, demonstrating sustained excellence in knockout competition.

Wembley Stadium maintained its uninterrupted tenure as host since 2007, following the tradition established after the stadium reconstruction. The £2 million winner’s prize reflects the competition’s sustained financial prominence within English football’s domestic calendar.

Looking ahead to future fixtures, Liverpool vs Man United – 2026 Old Trafford Date Tickets provides information on other significant upcoming matches in the English football calendar.

What do primary sources confirm about the final?

“The 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup Final will kick off at 4.30pm BST on Saturday 17 May at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.”

— The Football Association, 3 May 2025

“Crystal Palace and Manchester City contested the final at Wembley Stadium, with live coverage available on BBC One and ITV1.”

— Wikipedia and FA Documentation

“Live coverage was available on BBC One and ITV1, with streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.”

— Radio Times Sport

These attributions draw from FA announcements, Radio Times listings, and the running order schedule released on 16 May 2025.

What are the key details to remember?

The 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup Final occurred on 17 May 2025 at Wembley Stadium, with Crystal Palace facing Manchester City at 4:30pm BST. Broadcast coverage spanned BBC One, ITV1, and major radio stations, while the 2025-26 season commences on 2 August 2025 and concludes on 16 May 2026. For additional match analysis, see Everton vs Aston Villa – Preview, Prediction, Team News.

Frequently Asked Questions

How was the FA Cup Final 2025 broadcast on the BBC?

BBC One televised the match live, with additional streaming available via BBC iPlayer. BBC Radio 5 Live provided comprehensive radio commentary throughout the fixture.

What happened in the FA Cup 2024 final?

Manchester United defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the 2024 final on 25 May 2024 at Wembley Stadium. This victory prevented City from securing consecutive domestic doubles.

Who provided pre-match entertainment at the 2025 final?

DJ Tony Perry headlined the pre-match show, supported by the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines performing from approximately 3:00pm BST.

What are the 2025-26 FA Cup early round dates?

The Extra Preliminary Round commenced on 2 August 2025, followed by the Preliminary Round on 16 August and First Qualifying on 30 August.

Could tickets be purchased after the 17 May 2025 date?

No primary tickets remained available post-event. Resale platforms may list hospitality packages for future fixtures, but standard tickets for the 2025 final are no longer on sale.

What radio stations covered the 2025 final?

BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT both provided live commentary and match analysis from Wembley Stadium.

What is the capacity of Wembley Stadium for FA Cup Finals?

The venue accommodates approximately 90,000 spectators for major football fixtures, operating at full capacity for the FA Cup Final.

Arthur Clarke Bennett

About the author

Arthur Clarke Bennett

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.