English football’s most prestigious domestic cup competition reaches its thrilling conclusion on 16 May 2026 at Wembley Stadium in London, where two Premier League teams, Chelsea vs Manchester City to determine the winners of the 2025-26 FA Cup in the 145th final of the Football Association Challenge Cup.
Chelsea face Manchester City in the 2026 FA Cup Final at Wembley on May 16, 3 pm BST. City aims for a record fourth straight final victory.
Darren England has been appointed as the referee, with Akil Howson being set to become the first Black official to feature in an FA Cup Final as an assistant referee. Get the Chelsea vs Manchester City preview, team news, ticket details, and how to watch.
2026 FA Cup Final Match Details and Kick-Off Time
The 2026 FA Cup Final of the historic competition takes place at the national stadium on Saturday, 16 May, and this showpiece match will kick off at 3 pm BST. This traditional afternoon kick-off time maintains the FA Cup Final’s iconic Saturday slot that has defined English football for generations.
Historic Significance: Record-Breaking Final
This final holds particular significance for Manchester City. Manchester City are playing in their 15th FA Cup final overall and the fourth consecutively, the first ever team to do so. Pep Guardiola’s side have reached a record-breaking fourth consecutive FA Cup final, but have lost their previous two finals.
For Chelsea, this is their 17th FA Cup final and the first since 2022, when they lost for a record third consecutive time, and they are seeking a ninth Cup title.
Teams’ Head-to-Head History
Remarkably, the two sides have never before met in an FA Cup final, but have clashed in other domestic title-deciding matches, most recently in the 2019 EFL Cup final and the 2018 FA Community Shield, both of which City won.
The clubs’ most significant recent meeting came in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final, which Chelsea won 1–0, though City will be looking to avenge that defeat on English soil.
They met twice in the season’s Premier League, a 1–1 draw in Manchester followed by City’s 3–0 win in London, suggesting City holds the psychological edge heading into this showdown.
Chelsea’s Road to Wembley
Early Rounds Dominance
As a Premier League team, Chelsea entered the tournament in the third round, beginning their FA Cup campaign with a dominant 5–1 away victory over Championship side Charlton Athletic, in what was Liam Rosenior’s first match in charge of the club.
The Blues continued their impressive form with Pedro Neto notching his first Chelsea hat-trick in the fourth round away to Hull City, with Estêvão also contributing to the scoring, the match finishing 4–0.
Quarter-Final Masterclass
Chelsea produced their most impressive performance in the quarter-finals. Chelsea made light work of the League One side Port Vale, defeating them 7–0 at Stamford Bridge, their largest FA Cup victory since 2011, where Chelsea eased past Ipswich Town by the same scoreline.
Semi-Final Victory
Chelsea booked their place in the final after an Enzo Fernandez goal helped the Blues overcome Leeds United at Wembley. Chelsea faced Premier League rivals Leeds United in the semi-finals at Wembley, where a lone goal from Enzo Fernández was enough to secure a 1–0 victory and send the Blues to the FA Cup final.
Manchester City’s Path to Glory
Record-Breaking Start
City began their FA Cup campaign with a rampant 10–1 display at home against League One side Exeter City, their biggest win since defeating Huddersfield Town by the same score in 1987.
Quarter-Final Statement
In the quarter-finals, Manchester City were drawn against eight-time cup winners Liverpool, facing them at home. Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 4-0 to reach the final four for an eighth consecutive season.
Dramatic Semi-Final Comeback
Despite a 79th minute goal from Finn Azaz, City defeated Championship side Southampton 2–1 in the semi-finals at Wembley, as City mounted a late comeback through goals from Jérémy Doku and Nico González.
City secured a place in the FA Cup final for a record fourth time, with Jeremy Doku hitting back immediately with a deflected shot to pull them all-square after Southampton’s surprise opener, before Nico hit a stunning winner from 25 yards to send them back to Wembley.
What’s at Stake: Trophy Hunts and Records
Chelsea is seeking their first FA Cup victory since beating Manchester United 1–0 in 2018. The Blues will be desperate to end their recent FA Cup final drought and secure their ninth title.
Manchester City are seeking an eighth Cup title. More significantly, City are in pursuit of a domestic cup double, having won the League Cup in March, with ambitions of only the second domestic treble in English football history if they can capture both the FA Cup and Premier League title.
How to Watch: Broadcast Information
The Final will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports, HBO Max, BBC One and iPlayer. This extensive coverage ensures fans across multiple platforms can witness this historic encounter.
Comprehensive radio coverage will be provided by BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT, with international broadcasters to be confirmed ahead of the fixture.
Ticket Information and Stadium Allocation
Manchester City have received an allocation of 28,700 (West End) tickets, including 100 wheelchair bays and easy-access seats for ambulant fans.
Similarly, Chelsea have received an allocation of 28,700 tickets for the FA Cup final, allocated to the east side of Wembley Stadium, with 100 wheelchair and 100 personal assistant tickets within their allocation.
The entire allocation for this fixture will be in digital form, with tickets sent the week commencing Monday 11 May via email, which will need to be downloaded into the supporters’ Apple/Google wallet.
Recent Final Frustrations
Both teams carry the weight of recent FA Cup final disappointments. Chelsea are also aiming to improve a poor recent record in the FA Cup final, with the Blues losing three consecutive FA Cup finals between 2020 and 2022.
Seven-time winners City, who last won the FA Cup in 2023, have lost to Crystal Palace and Manchester United in their last two finals, making this an opportunity for redemption for Guardiola’s men.
Managerial Storylines
Calum McFarlane now has the chance to win a major trophy, having been placed in interim charge of Chelsea until the end of the season, adding an intriguing subplot to Chelsea’s cup run.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, seeks to add to his already impressive trophy cabinet and cement Manchester City’s dominance of English football with a potential historic treble still on the cards.
The Wembley Stage
Wembley Stadium has hosted many unforgettable FA Cup finals throughout its history, and this upcoming match is set to add another exciting chapter.
Tickets are available for a licensed standing area located on Level 1 and Level 5 of the stadium. Please note that supporters purchasing tickets for the licensed-standing area must be at least 12 years old.
What This Final Means for English Football
The 2026 FA Cup Final represents a clash between two of English football’s modern powerhouses. Manchester City’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive final appearance—unprecedented in the competition’s history—demonstrates their sustained excellence under Guardiola.
Chelsea, under new interim management and seeking to end an eight-year FA Cup drought, represent the classic challengers looking to upset the established order and reclaim their place among England’s elite trophy winners.
A Final for the Ages
With both teams carrying the burden of recent final defeats, historical narratives to overcome, and silverware desperately sought, the 2026 FA Cup Final promises drama, quality, and the kind of tension that only knockout football can provide.
Manchester City will aim to make history with their record fourth consecutive final appearance culminating in glory, while Chelsea seek redemption and a return to the winner’s circle. When the whistle blows at 3 pm on May 16 at Wembley, only one team will lift the oldest trophy in football.