FA Cup Results Today – Manchester City Win 2026 Final

The FA Cup continues to deliver drama, with Manchester City securing a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the 2026 final at Wembley Stadium. The result capped another memorable campaign for the world’s oldest domestic knockout competition, which saw its share of upsets and historic milestones along the way.

Manchester City became the first side to line up in four consecutive FA Cup finals, a remarkable achievement in the modern era. Their latest triumph adds another chapter to a dominant run that has reshaped expectations around the competition’s traditional unpredictability.

For Chelsea, the defeat marked a missed opportunity to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2018. Their path to the final included a hard-fought 1-0 semi-final win over Leeds United, courtesy of an Enzo Fernández goal, but they were unable to break down a resilient City side at the national stadium.

What Are the FA Cup Results Today?

Key Insights from the Latest Results

• Manchester City have now won multiple FA Cup titles during their four-year run as consecutive finalists.
• Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against Leeds United to secure their place at Wembley.
• Crystal Palace produced one of the biggest shocks of recent years by defeating Manchester City in the 2025 final to claim a first major trophy.
• Brighton advanced after a dramatic extra-time victory over Newcastle United, demonstrating the depth of competition outside the traditional elite.
• Premier League clubs remain dominant in the latter stages, but lower-tier sides have consistently forced replays and caused scares throughout the tournament.
• Semiautomated VAR offside technology has been introduced in the FA Cup, marking a significant officiating change for the competition.

Snapshot Facts: 2025–26 FA Cup Season

Which FA Cup Matches Are Being Played Today?

The FA Cup follows a knockout format that begins with the first round proper and progresses through the third, fourth, and fifth rounds before reaching the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final at Wembley. Live competition pages track scores, fixtures, standings, and match statistics across every stage of the tournament.

Full Fixtures Context for the Current Stage

For the 2025–26 season, the final was the sole match scheduled for the concluding date. Semi-final fixtures took place in late April, with dates contingent on international commitments. The FA’s official live match scores and stats page covers games from the first round proper onward, providing a comprehensive view of the entire competition.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

The competition structure remains consistent year on year. After qualifying rounds early in the season, the first round proper welcomes lower-league and non-league sides. Premier League clubs enter in the third round. From there, the tournament narrows through the fourth round, fifth round, quarter-finals, and semi-finals before the Wembley showpiece. Live score platforms such as LiveScore FA Cup Live Scores provide real-time updates across all rounds.

Where to Find Live FA Cup Scores and Updates

Several platforms offer reliable, real-time coverage of FA Cup matches. Each service provides a different mix of live scores, match statistics, and editorial context, allowing fans to choose the tool that best suits their needs.

Official FA Website (thefa.com)

The Football Association’s own competition page provides official live match scores and statistics for all games from the first round proper onward. It remains the most authoritative source for confirmed results and fixture details. You can access the Official FA Cup Results page for verified match data.

BBC Sport FA Cup Scores and Fixtures

BBC Sport offers comprehensive coverage of FA Cup scores and fixtures, with editorial context and match reports. Their platform includes live text commentary for selected matches and post-match analysis. The BBC Sport FA Cup Scores & Fixtures page is a widely used resource for fans seeking reliable updates.

Live Score Apps and Aggregators

Specialized live score platforms offer real-time updates across all matches simultaneously. Flashscore FA Cup Results provides a data-heavy interface with quick access to live and finished matches. ESPN also covers Premier League clubs in the FA Cup, with news, analysis, and reports on shocks and upsets, including Brighton’s extra-time win over Newcastle and Crystal Palace’s 2025 triumph over Manchester City.

What FA Cup Games Are on TV Today?

Broadcast coverage for the FA Cup varies by territory and round. For the 2026 final between Chelsea and Manchester City, media outlets confirmed kickoff times and viewing information, though a complete broadcast lineup for all countries is not available from the existing match summaries. Coverage has been provided by networks such as BBC and ITV in the UK, with additional international broadcasters carrying the final in their respective markets.

TV Broadcast Schedule Notes

The FA Cup TV Schedule (Live Football on TV) offers region-specific listings for matches across the tournament. Because the available sources are primarily live-score and news summaries, a full channel-by-channel breakdown for all territories cannot be reconstructed from the current data alone. Fans are advised to check local listings closer to match days.

Live Streaming Options

Official broadcast partners typically offer live streaming through their own platforms or apps. In the UK, BBC iPlayer and ITVX have carried FA Cup matches in previous seasons. International viewers should consult their local rights holders for streaming availability.

How Did Premier League Teams Perform in the FA Cup Today?

The FA Cup regularly features Premier League sides, and the 2025–26 season was no exception. Top-flight clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Brighton all featured prominently in the competition’s later stages.

Upsets and Surprises

The tournament continued its tradition of producing unexpected results. Crystal Palace’s 2025 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City stands as one of the most significant upsets in recent memory, with the Eagles claiming a first major trophy. Brighton also demonstrated the capacity for lower-profile sides to challenge elite opposition, defeating Newcastle United after extra time in a match that highlighted the competitiveness of the competition. ESPN’s coverage has noted that Premier League clubs remain active in the later rounds, but shock results remain a defining feature of the FA Cup.

Impact on League Form

FA Cup participation can affect Premier League teams in several ways. Fixture congestion is a common concern for clubs that progress deep into the competition, while a deep cup run can also boost squad morale. Manchester City’s push for a domestic treble has been noted in coverage, with their repeated FA Cup final appearances suggesting that success in the competition can coexist with league ambitions.

What Is the Timeline of Key FA Cup Results?

The 2025–26 FA Cup season built toward its climax through a series of notable matches. Key results along the way included Chelsea’s semi-final victory over Leeds United and Manchester City’s progression through the knockout rounds. The following timeline captures the most significant confirmed events from the latter stages of the competition.

1. 2025 – Crystal Palace defeat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final to claim a first major trophy in the club’s history.
2. Late April 2026 – Semi-final matches take place at Wembley Stadium, with Chelsea defeating Leeds United 1-0 through an Enzo Fernández goal.
3. April 12, 2026 – Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 in a Premier League meeting at Stamford Bridge, demonstrating strong form ahead of the final.
4. May 16, 2026 – FA Cup final: Manchester City defeat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium to claim the trophy.
5. May 16, 2026 – Manchester City become the first side in history to line up in four consecutive FA Cup finals.
6. 2026 season – Semiautomated VAR offside technology is introduced in the FA Cup, representing a notable officiating change.

What Information Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?

Not all details surrounding FA Cup results and match events are fully established at the time of reporting. The table below separates information that has been confirmed from details that remain uncertain based on available sources.

What Is the Broader Context of These FA Cup Results?

The FA Cup’s format and traditions create a unique environment where Premier League dominance coexists with the possibility of dramatic upsets. Manchester City’s four consecutive final appearances represent an extraordinary level of consistency, yet Crystal Palace’s 2025 victory demonstrates that the competition can still produce unexpected champions. Brighton’s extra-time win over Newcastle further reinforces this pattern of competitive unpredictability.

The introduction of semiautomated VAR offside technology marks a significant step in the competition’s officiating evolution. This system, already used in other top-level competitions, aims to reduce the time taken to make offside decisions and improve accuracy. Its deployment in the FA Cup brings the tournament in line with modern technological standards in football.

For Premier League clubs, FA Cup success can have ripple effects beyond the trophy itself. Fixture congestion, squad rotation, and momentum all factor into how managers approach the competition. Manchester City’s pursuit of a domestic treble, noted in FA Cup coverage, illustrates how the tournament fits into broader seasonal objectives for top-flight sides. Chelsea’s run to the 2026 final, meanwhile, highlighted the fine margins that define knockout football at the highest level.

What Are the Credible Sources for FA Cup Results and Analysis?

The most authoritative sources for FA Cup results are the official competition pages and established sports broadcasters. The following quotes and references reflect the standard of reporting available across these platforms.

“The Emirates FA Cup continues to deliver drama and upsets.”

— The FA (Official), via their competition results page

“Chelsea’s victory was a masterclass in defensive organization.”

— BBC Sport, FA Cup match coverage

For ongoing live tracking, the following platforms provide reliable, up-to-date information: LiveScore FA Cup Live Scores for real-time results and competition context; The FA’s official live match scores and stats page for authoritative data; Sofascore and Flashscore for live standings and fixtures; and ESPN’s FA Cup coverage for news, analysis, and reports on Premier League teams and shocks.

What Do the Latest FA Cup Results Mean Going Forward?

The conclusion of the 2025–26 FA Cup season leaves the competition with several storylines to follow. Manchester City’s continued dominance sets a high bar for challengers, while the precedent set by Crystal Palace in 2025 offers hope for clubs outside the traditional elite. The introduction of semiautomated VAR offside technology may influence future match outcomes, and the ongoing pattern of upsets ensures that the FA Cup remains one of football’s most unpredictable tournaments. For the latest scores and fixtures, you can check FA Cup fixtures and standings as the next season approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions