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| The Emerates FA Cup |
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic English football. First played during the 1871–72 season, it stands as the oldest national football competition globally. Organized by and named after The Football Association (The FA), it has borne the title of The Emirates FA Cup since 2015, reflecting its headline sponsor.
Running concurrently with the men's competition is the Women's FA Cup, initiated in 1970. The FA Cup is inclusive, open to all eligible clubs down to Level 9 of the English football league system, with Level 10 clubs serving as stand-ins in case of non-participation from higher levels. In the 2011–12 season, a record 763 clubs competed.
The tournament structure comprises 12 randomly drawn rounds, culminating in the semi-finals and the final. Entrants are not seeded, but a system of byes, based on league level, ensures that higher-ranked teams join the competition in later rounds. The number of games needed to win varies depending on the entry round, ranging from six to fourteen.
The initial six rounds constitute the Qualifying Competition, involving clubs in the National League System, spanning levels 5 to 10 of the English football system, commonly referred to as non-League. Thirty-two of these teams progress to the first round of the Competition Proper, facing the first of the 48 professional teams from Leagues One and Two. The final entrants are the 20 Premier League and 24 Championship clubs, entering the draw for the third round proper.
In the modern era, only one non-League team has reached the quarter-finals, and teams below Level 2 have never reached the final. Consequently, significant attention is given to smaller teams achieving notable "giant-killing" victories.
The victors of the FA Cup receive the prestigious FA Cup trophy, featuring two designs and five actual cups. The latest iteration, a 2014 replica of the second design introduced in 1911, is currently awarded. Winners also secure qualification for the UEFA Europa League and a place in the upcoming FA Community Shield.
Arsenal stands as the most successful club with fourteen titles, their most recent triumph occurring in 2020. Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, holds the record for the competition's most successful manager, having won seven finals with the team. As of the latest information, Manchester City holds the title as the current FA Cup holders, having defeated local rivals Manchester United in the 2023 final.