The English Football Association (FA) has confirmed that the highly anticipated FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 25, will commence at the traditional time of 3 pm. This eagerly awaited clash will mark the second consecutive season that these two fierce rivals will battle it out for the prestigious FA Cup trophy.
Last year’s FA Cup final witnessed a thrilling encounter between City and United, with City ultimately securing a 2-1 victory thanks to a brace from Ilkay Gundogan. That triumph marked City’s second trophy of a remarkable treble-winning campaign, and they will be hoping to replicate that success this season by adding the FA Cup to their potential Premier League title triumph.
For Manchester United, lifting the FA Cup this season would not only bring silverware to Old Trafford but also guarantee their qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa League. United have the opportunity to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League, which would also earn them a Europa League berth. However, even a sixth-place finish may suffice, regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final.
The decision to revert to the traditional 3 pm kick-off time for the FA Cup final has been made after consultations with the clubs, local authorities, members of the Safety Advisory Group [SAG], and broadcasters. In previous years, the kick-off time for the final has varied, with the last three finals commencing at 5:15 pm, 4:45 pm, and 3 pm, respectively. The fixture between City and United last season was deemed ‘high risk’ by the Metropolitan Police.
Fans will have the opportunity to watch this captivating FA Cup final live on both BBC One and ITV1. Additionally, the match will be available for streaming on the respective platforms of these broadcasters, BBC iPlayer and ITVX, which require account creation for access.
