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Women's FA Cup

FieldValue
nameWomen's FA Cup
logo[[File:Women's FA Cup.png120px]]
organiserThe Football Association
regionEngland
Wales
current2025–26 Women's FA Cup
founded
number of teams538 (2025–26)
current championsChelsea (6th title)
websiteWomen's FA Cup
most successful clubArsenal (14 titles)
broadcastersTNT Sports
Channel 4

Wales Channel 4

The Women's FA Challenge Cup is the top annual cup tournament for women's clubs in English football. Founded in 1970, it has been named the WFA Cup, FA Women's Cup, and now Women's FA Cup (currently known as the Adobe Women's FA Cup for sponsorship reasons).

Designed as an equivalent to the FA Cup in men's football, the competition began in 1970–71 as the Mitre Challenge Trophy, organised by the Women's Football Association (WFA). There were 71 entrants, including teams from Scotland and Wales.

The WFA ran the competition for the first 23 editions, during which time Southampton won the cup eight times. The Football Association (FA) began administering English women's football in mid-1993.

Arsenal holds the record for most titles overall, having won fourteen times. The current cup holders are Chelsea, who defeated Manchester United 3–0 in the 2025 final to win their sixth FA Cup title.

Name

The competition, founded in 1970, was sponsored as the Mitre Challenge Trophy until April 1976.

As a Women's Football Association competition until 1992–93, it was known as the WFA Cup or more informally as the Women's FA Cup. After the running of the competition passed to the FA in 1993–94, the Association renamed it as the FA Women's Cup, until 2015. The name was officially reworded as the Women's FA Cup in June 2015, before that year's final. The tournament rules, as in the men's FA Cup, name it the Women's FA Challenge Cup.

History

Previous national cup competitions included the English Ladies Football Association Challenge Cup in 1922, won by Stoke Ladies.

The first women's Mitre Challenge Trophy matches were played in 1970, and the first final was held on 9 May 1971 at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The WFA was initially named the Ladies Football Association of Great Britain, and Scottish clubs were successful in reaching the first three finals of this tournament (albeit as runners-up). Two of these clubs were runners-up in England while also winning the Scottish Women's Cup in the same season, Stewarton Thistle in 1971 and Westthorn United in 1973.

Southampton Women's F.C. won eight of the first 11 WFA Cup competitions.

Doncaster Belles reached nearly every final between 1982–83 and 1993–94, and won the trophy six times.

Format

The current entry points as of the 2024–25 season:

  • the second qualifying round for Tier 5 teams (92 teams)
  • the third qualifying round for FA Women's National League Division One teams (48 teams)
  • the second round proper for FA Women's National League North & South Premier Division teams (24 teams)
  • the third round proper for Women's Championship teams (11 teams)
  • the fourth round proper for Women's Super League teams (12 teams)

All other clubs enter in the first qualifying round.

Trophies

Women's FA Cup (left) trophy on display beside the men's trophy (right).

The original Mitre Challenge Trophy has "disappeared", according to the WFA History records. This cup was replaced in May 1979 when the Football Association donated a new trophy for the competition's winners, to mark the WFA's tenth anniversary.

1970–71 cup winner Sue Lopez said it was suspected that a player "tucked it away somewhere in a trophy cabinet", and she was trying to locate the original cup for the National Football Museum in 2015.

The current Women's FA Cup trophy was one of the first prestigious trophies to be made in the Thomas Lyte silver workshop.

List of finals

The following is a list of Women's FA Cup seasons and final results.

:Finalists are primarily clubs from England, unless denoted with SCO for Scotland. :Where a season's Final is marked in bold, it has a specific article for the match.

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners-upScorersVenue
1970–71
(final)Southampton4–1SCO Stewarton ThistleSouthampton: Davies (3), Cassell
Stewarton: ReillyCrystal Palace National Sports Centre
1971–72
(final)Southampton3–2SCO Lee's LadiesSouthampton: Judd (2), Lopez
Lee's: White, FerriesEton Park, Burton upon Trent
Attendance: 1,500
1972–73
(final)Southampton2–0SCO Westthorn UnitedKenway 70', Hale 75'Bedford Town FC
Attendance: 3,000
1973–74
(final)Fodens2–1SouthamptonFodens: Leatherbarrow (2)
Southampton: DaviesBedford Town FC
Attendance: 800
1974–75
(final)Southampton4–2WarminsterSouthampton: Chapman, Dickie, Davies, Hale
Warminster: Foreman (2; 1 pen.)Dunstable Town FC
1975–76
(final)Southampton2–1Queen's Park RangersSouthampton: M. Kirkland, Davies
QPR: McGroartyBedford Town FC
Attendance: 1,500
1976–77
(final)Queen's Park Rangers1–0SouthamptonStaley 25'Champion Hill, East Dulwich
Attendance: 3,000
1977–78
(final)Southampton8–2Queen's Park RangersSouthampton: Davies, Lopez, Chapman (6)
QPR: Choat, StaleyWexham Park Stadium, Slough
Attendance: 200
1978–79
(final)Southampton1–0Lowestoft LadiesChapman 6'Waterlooville FC
Attendance: 1,200
1979–80
(final)St Helens1–0Preston North EndHolland 75'Enfield Town FC
1980–81
(final)Southampton4–2St HelensSouthampton: Chapman 12', 58', England 45', Carter 71'
St Helens: Leatherbarrow 26', Ja. Turner 65'Knowsley Road, St Helens
Attendance: 1,352
1981–82
(final)Lowestoft Ladies2–0Cleveland SpartansLinda Curl 26', Poppy 57'Queens Park Rangers]]' 1981–82 Football League Second Division fixture against Bolton Wanderers.
1982–83
(final)Doncaster Belles3–2St HelensDoncaster: Stocks (2), J. Hanson
St Helens: Leatherbarrow, DeighanSincil Bank, Lincoln
Attendance: 1,500
1983–84
(final)Howbury Grange4–2Doncaster BellesHowbury: Baldeo (2), Springett (2)
Doncaster: L. Hanson (2)Sincil Bank, Lincoln
1984–85
(final)Friends of Fulham2–0Doncaster BellesMcAdam 22', Hynes 25'Craven Cottage, Fulham
Attendance: 1,500
1985–86
(final)Norwich City4–3Doncaster BellesNorwich: Curl 16', Colk 40', Jackson 50', Lawrence 80+2'
Doncaster: J. Hanson 26', Walker 27', 75'Carrow Road, Norwich
1986–87
(final)Doncaster Belles2–0St HelensSherrard 12', Walker 80'City Ground, Nottingham
1987–88
(final)Doncaster Belles3–1Leasowe PacificDoncaster: Walker, Coultard, Sherrard
Leasowe: Jackson (pen.)Gresty Road, Crewe
Attendance: 800
1988–89
(final)Leasowe Pacific3–2Friends of FulhamLeasowe: Murray 7', Thomas 47', McQuiggan 65'
Fulham: Powell 8', 40'Old Trafford, Manchester
Attendance: 941
1989–90
(final)Doncaster Belles1–0Friends of FulhamCoultard 61'Baseball Ground
Attendance: 3,000
1990–91
(final)Millwall Lionesses1–0Doncaster BellesBaldeo 65'Prenton Park
Attendance:4,000
1991–92
(final)Doncaster Belles4–0Red Star SouthamptonCoultard 38', Walker 47', 65' 78'Prenton Park
Attendance:250
1992–93
(final)Arsenal3–0Doncaster BellesCurley 45', Ball 45', Bampton 80'Manor Ground, Oxford
Attendance: 3,547
1993–94
(final)Doncaster Belles1–0Knowsley UnitedWalker 38'Glanford Park
Attendance: 1,674
1994–95
(final)Arsenal3–2LiverpoolArsenal: Lonergan 36', 55', Spacey 81'
Liverpool: Burke 24', 41'Prenton Park
1995–96
(final)Croydon1–1
3–2LiverpoolLiverpool: Burke 22'
Croydon: Powell 38'The New Den
Attendance: 2,110
1996–97
(final)Millwall Lionesses1–0WembleyWaller 51'Upton Park
Attendance: 3,015
1997–98
(final)Arsenal3–2CroydonArsenal: Spacey 17', Yankey 52', Few 90+3'
Croydon: Broadhurst (pen.) 10', Powell 55'The New Den
1998–99
(final)Arsenal2–0Southampton SaintsHayes (o.g.) 14', Wheatley 41'The Valley
Attendance: 6,450
1999–2000
(final)Croydon2–1Doncaster BellesCroydon: C.Walker 40', Hunt 67'
Doncaster: Exley 40'Bramall Lane
Attendance: 3,434
2000–01
(final)Arsenal1–0FulhamBanks 52'Selhurst Park
Attendance: 13,824
2001–02
(final)Fulham2–1Doncaster BellesFulham: Yankey 55', Chapman 56'
Doncaster: Handley 58'Selhurst Park
Attendance: 10,124
2002–03
(final)Fulham3–0Charlton AthleticMoore 18', Hills (o.g.) 36', Williams (o.g.) 61'Selhurst Park
Attendance: 10,389
2003–04
(final)Arsenal3–0Charlton AthleticFleeting 23', 25', 83'Loftus Road
Attendance: 12,244
2004–05
(final)Charlton Athletic1–0EvertonAluko 58'Upton Park
Attendance: 8,567
2005–06
(final)Arsenal5–0Leeds UnitedWard (o.g.) 3', Fleeting 34', Yankey 35', Smith (pen.) 73', Sanderson 77'The New Den
Attendance: 13,452
2006–07
(final)Arsenal4–1Charlton AthleticCharlton: Holtham 2'
Arsenal: Smith 7', 80', Ludlow 15', 45'City Ground
Attendance: 24,529
2007–08
(final)Arsenal4–1Leeds UnitedArsenal: Smith 54', 83', Ludlow 59', Sanderson 60'
Leeds: Clarke 69'City Ground
Attendance: 24,582
2008–09
(final)Arsenal2–1SunderlandArsenal: Chapman 32', Little 90'
Sunderland: McDougall 90'Pride Park Stadium
Attendance: 23,291
2009–10
(final)Everton3–2ArsenalArsenal: Little (pen.) 43', Fleeting 54'
Everton: Dowie 16', 119', White (o.g.) 45+2'City Ground
Attendance: 17,505
2010–11
(final)Arsenal2–0Bristol AcademyLittle 19', Fleeting 32'Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 13,885
2011–12
(final)Birmingham City2–2
ChelseaBirmingham City: Williams 90', Carney 111'
Chelsea: Lander 69', Longhurst 101'Ashton Gate
Attendance: 8,723
2012–13
(final)Arsenal3–0Bristol AcademyHoughton 2', Nobbs 72', White 90'Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 4,988
2013–14
(final)Arsenal2–0EvertonSmith 15', Kinga 61'Stadium MK
Attendance: 15,098
2014–15
(final)Chelsea1–0Notts CountyJi So-yun 39'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 30,710
2015–16
(final)Arsenal1–0ChelseaCarter 18'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 32,912
2016–17
(final)Manchester City4–1Birmingham CityManchester City: Bronze 18', Christiansen 25', Lloyd 32', Scott 80'
Birmingham City: Wellings 73'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 35,271
2017–18
(final)Chelsea3–1ArsenalChelsea: Bachmann 48', 60', Kirby 76'
Arsenal: Miedema 73'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 45,423
2018–19
(final)Manchester City3–0West Ham UnitedWalsh 52', Stanway 81', Hemp 88'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 43,264
2019–20
(final)Manchester City3–1EvertonManchester City: Mewis 40', Stanway 111', Beckie 120+2'
Everton: Gauvin 60'Wembley Stadium
Behind closed doors (COVID-19 pandemic)
2020–21
(final)Chelsea3–0ArsenalKirby 3', Kerr 57', 77'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 40,942
2021–22
(final)Chelsea3–2Manchester CityChelsea: Kerr 33', 99', Cuthbert 63'
Manchester City: Hemp 42', Raso 89'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 49,094
2022–23
(final)Chelsea1–0Manchester UnitedKerr 68'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 77,390
2023–24
(final)Manchester United4–0Tottenham HotspurToone 45+3', Williams 54', García 57', 74'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 76,082
2024–25
(final)Chelsea3–0Manchester UnitedBaltimore 45' (pen.), 90+1', Macario 84'Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 74,412

Results by team

ClubTitle(s)Runners-upSeasons wonSeasons runner-up
Arsenal1992–93, 1994–95, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–162009–10, 2017–18, 2020–21
Southampton Women's1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1980–811973–74, 1976–77
Doncaster Belles1982–83, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1993–941983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1999–2000, 2001–02
Chelsea2014–15, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2024–252011–12, 2015–16
Croydon/Charlton Athletic1995–96, 1999–2000, 2004–051997–98, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2006–07
Manchester City2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–202021–22
Leasowe Pacific/Everton1988–89, 2009–101987–88, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2019–20
Fulham2001–02, 2002–032000–01
Millwall Lionesses1990–91, 1996–97—
St Helens1979–801980–81, 1982–83, 1986–87
Queen's Park Rangers1976–771975–76, 1977–78
Friends of Fulham1984–851988–89, 1989–90
Manchester United2023–242022–23, 2024–25
Lowestoft Ladies1981–821978–79
Birmingham City2011–122016–17
Fodens1973–74—
Howbury Grange1983–84—
Norwich City1985–86—
Knowsley United/Liverpool—1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
Stewarton & Thistle/
Lee's Ladies SCO—1970–71, 1971–72
Red Star Southampton/
Southampton Saints—1991–92, 1998–99
Leeds United—2005–06, 2007–08
Bristol Academy—2010–11, 2012–13
Westthorn United SCO—1972–73
Warminster—1974–75
Preston North End—1979–80
Cleveland Spartans—1981–82
Wembley—1996–97
Sunderland—2008–09
Notts County—2014–15
West Ham United—2018–19
Tottenham Hotspur—2023–24

Media coverage

United Kingdom

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, television coverage of the WFA final was provided by Channel 4.

Between 2001 and 2008, the final of the tournament was covered by the BBC and presented by Celina Hinchcliffe, Rebecca Lowe, Ray Stubbs and Jake Humphrey; the punditry team was usually current players like Sue Scott and commentary usually by Steve Wilson and Lucy Ward or Faye White and always played on the May Day bank holiday. The final was also simulcast on BBC Radio 5 Live. In 2009, the final was shown on most of the stations in the ITV1 network, with commentary from Jon Champion and Lucy Ward. Sky Sports secured a three-year deal for live coverage from 2010 until 2012.

The BBC then picked up the rights in 2013 and that lasted until 2025.

On 16 May 2025, the FA officially announced that coverage would be moved to TNT Sports and also make a return to Channel 4. Under the deal, which lasts until the 2027–28 season, TNT Sports will air 19 matches including one match in the first round and one in the second round for the first time in history. Channel 4 will televise one match per round starting in the third round, with all five of Channel 4's selected matches, and the Final also airing on TNT Sports, with both broadcasters having their own presenters, pundits and commentary teams.

Sponsorship

Sponsors of the original WFA competition (1970–1993) included Mitre, Pony Wines and Mycil.

In the FA competition, the sponsors have been UK Living (1995–1998), Axa (1998–2002), Nationwide Building Society (2002–2006) and E.ON (2006–2011). From 2007, Tesco obtained additional branding and advertising rights through their partnership agreement with the FA.

Despite sponsorship by these major companies, entering the tournament has actually cost clubs more than they often get in prize money. In 2015 it was reported that even if Notts County had won the tournament outright the paltry £8,600 winnings would leave them out of pocket. The winners of the men's FA Cup in the same year received £1.8 million, with teams not even reaching the first round proper getting more than the women's winners. In September 2020, the FA announced that health and life insurance and investment company VitalityHealth had signed a deal to become the sponsor of the competition until July 2023.

In November 2023, after three years with Vitality, the FA announced that Adobe Inc. would become the sponsor of the competition for three years, through to July 2026. The partnership would focus on "increasing fan engagement and raising the profile of the competition". In addition, all 460 clubs that participate in the competition would gain access to, and training on Adobe Express, a graphic design tool.

Notes

References

References

  1. (2018-05-01). "Women's FA Cup final: 40,000 tickets sold for Wembley showpiece". [[BBC Sport]].
  2. (2018-04-11). "Relive both Women's FA Cup semi-finals". BBC Sport.
  3. (1 May 2003). "Women's FA Cup: The history". BBC Sport.
  4. "Women's Football Competitions Fact Sheet". The Football Association.
  5. [[Henry Winter]]. (1993-04-26). "Football: FA forging links to create a permanent partnership: Henry Winter reports on the interest created by the women's FA Cup final in which Arsenal defeated Doncaster Belles 3–0". [[The Independent]].
  6. Tony Leighton. (2 May 2010). "England dug-out duo become rivals in FA Women's Cup final at Nottingham". [[The Guardian]].
  7. (2025-05-21). "Chelsea Women Extend FA Cup Legacy with Sixth Title After 3–0 Triumph Over Man United".
  8. (19 November 1993). "■ FA SUNDAY CUP". Sandwell Evening Mail.
  9. "The FA Women's Cup (2004)". The Football Association.
  10. (21 May 2011}}
    {{cite web). "Arsenal reclaim FA Women's Cup with win over Bristol Academy". The Guardian.
  11. (4 May 2015). "The FA Women's Cup (10 April 2015)". The Football Association.
  12. (8 June 2015). "The FA and SSE agree sponsorship deal". The Football Association.
  13. "SSE Women's FA Cup Final match report (1 Aug 2015)". The Football Association.
  14. "SSE Women's FA Cup Final (14 May 2016)". The Football Association.
  15. "Rules of the Women's FA Challenge Cup Competition". The Football Association.
  16. (23 October 1970). "PALACE". Lichfield Mercury.
  17. (29 April 2017). "The WFA Cup".
  18. (2025-05-17). "The Women's FA Cup: A History".
  19. "The Women's FA Cup Season 2024–25 List of Exemptions". The Football Association.
  20. (29 July 2015). "Women's FA Cup: Mystery of missing trophy from first final". BBC Sport.
  21. [http://www.thefa.com/news/competitions/fa-womens-cup/2015/mar/fa-womens-cup-wembley-final FA Women's Cup Final comes to Wembley in August]
  22. "England – List of Women Cup Winners".
  23. (6 May 2021). "A History of the Women's FA Cup Final". The History Press.
  24. (15 June 2014). "Cambuslang Hooverettes".
  25. ''[[Norwich Evening News]]'', May 26, 2016, page 12
  26. Lavery, Glenn. (3 May 2010). "Late drama as Dowie downs Arsenal – ARSENAL LFC v EVERTON LFC – 03/05/2010". The Football Association.
  27. (21 May 2011). "Arsenal complete 11th cup final win". Shekicks.net.
  28. (March 2002). "Fact Sheet 5: Women and Football". University of Leicester.
  29. Joan Ruddock. (29 April 1991). "MILLWALL LIONESSES FA CUP VICTORY". UK Parliament.
  30. (27 July 2009). "Community Shield for Sky Sports". The Football Association.
  31. (16 May 2025). "Adobe Women's FA Cup to air on TNT Sports and Channel 4 from the 2025-26 season". The Football Association.
  32. (3 February 2006). "FA announces new Cup sponsorship". [[BBC News]].
  33. "E.ON UK - the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON".
  34. "Football Association Joins Forces With Tesco". Sportbusiness.com.
  35. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33726417 BBC article on the sponsorship situation]
  36. [http://www.thefa.com/thefacup/more/prize-fund Prize money list on the FA website]
  37. (16 September 2020). "Vitality becomes new sponsor of Women's FA Cup for next three years". The Football Association.
  38. (22 November 2023). "Unveiling our three-year partnership with Adobe for the Women's FA Cup". The Football Association.
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