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What time does the FA Cup Final kick off? Fans applaud decision

Written by Will Murray
Last Update: April 23, 2024
Published on

The FA Cup final will once again be a derby between rivals Manchester City and Manchester United after Pep Guardiola's men knocked out Chelsea, and a controversial match saw Man United advance in place of Championship club Coventry City.

What time does the FA Cup Final kick off?

It has now been confirmed that the match will start at 3pm at Wembley Stadium. Here is the fan reaction to the announcement ahead of the final that will take place on Saturday, May 25.

How the teams got to the final

Both sides secured their spot in the final with victories this weekend. City overcame Chelsea thanks to an 84th-minute winner from Bernardo Silva, while United edged past Championship team Coventry City on a penalty shootout. The Red Devils were 3-0 up in normal time with 20 minutes to go but somehow squandered their three-goal lead and had to thank VAR in the 120th minute for disallowing Coventry’s fourth goal of the afternoon.

FA Cup final kick-off
Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan (left) celebrates with his team mate Jack Grealish after he scores their side's first goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London – Photo by Icon Sport

Last season, the two teams met in the final of the same competition. City won the match 2-1, thanks to Ilkay Gundogan’s goal after 13 seconds, which is the quickest goal in FA Cup final history.

FA Cup final kick-off time moved

As it was an all-Manchester final last year, the FA Cup final kick-off time was moved from 5:15 to 3pm to accommodate fans travelling from the north-west. In 2023, it was the first FA Cup final that had kicked off at 3pm for 12 years.

The switch to 3pm was positively received last season, and as a result, the FA have announced the same arrangement for this year’s final, which will be broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, ITV1, ITVX, UTV, and STV.

Over on X.com (formerly Twitter), @johncrossmirror said: FA Cup final will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday, May 25. That is just the best football news of the day.”

@MichaelS294 added: “The FA Cup Final kicking off at 3pm shouldn't be breaking news. It's how it should be.”

Another fan said: “3pm is the ONLY acceptable time for an FA Cup Final.”