Need to know
Chelsea and Manchester City won't just be fighting for the FA Cup itself as there's a hefty sum on offer for the winner too
A general view of the Emirates FA Cup trophy prior to The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England
Chelsea and Manchester City will contest the FA Cup final(Image: Getty)
Everything you need to know about prize money ahead of the FA Cup final
The final: The 2025/26 FA Cup reaches its climax this weekend as two titans of English football prepare to battle for the oldest trophy in the world. This year's final will take place at the iconic Wembley Stadium as always, on Saturday, May 16.
The finalists: Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester City are the two sides set to compete for the prestigious silverware. The match will kick off at 3pm.
Semi-final wins: Chelsea secured their spot in the final after a 1-0 victory over Leeds United. City reached this stage by overcoming a resilient Southampton side 2-1.
Winner's prize money: The club that lifts the trophy will receive a direct payment of £2,120,000 for winning the final. This remains the most significant single-game payout in the entirety of the competition.
Runner-up prize money: The losing side will receive a consolation prize of £1,060,000 for their participation in the final. This reflects the standard 50 per cent distribution rate between the winner and the runner-up.
Total competition earnings: Including the rewards from previous rounds, the winning club will walk away with a cumulative total of £3,912,500 in prize money. This total represents the financial journey from the third round through to the winner's podium.
European qualification: Winning the FA Cup grants the champion an automatic spot in the UEFA Europa League league phase for the 2026/27 season. City have already qualified for the Champions League and so if they win, the place will be passed down the table. Chelsea are currently ninth, so they may be relying on a win to play European football next season.
Community Shield invite: The victors earn the right to compete in the 2026 FA Community Shield at the start of next season. This match serves as the traditional curtain-raiser, pitting the FA Cup winners against the Premier League champions.
Broadcasting details: The final will be broadcast live across the UK on both BBC One and TNT Sports 1. Fans can also stream the action via BBC iPlayer or HBO Max for comprehensive mobile coverage.
Watch the FA Cup on TNT Sports
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