Chelsea and Manchester City meet at Wembley in the FA Cup final today, and the rest of the Premier League is off. That is not an accident. The 2024 agreement between the FA and the Premier League turned final day into a Premier League-free day, with the Cup given its own weekend.
Mark Bullingham said the deal gives the tournament “exclusive weekends” and protects the Cup’s “magic”. He also pointed to the longer summer period, which he said allows “a much-needed player break” before next season. Bullingham was even clearer on why the FA pushed for it, saying: “The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.”
Why the FA wanted a clear weekend for the final
The point of the arrangement is simple enough. The FA did not want its showcase event squeezed into a crowded calendar, and Bullingham’s comments make the commercial case as plain as the sporting one. If the competition generates over 60 per cent of FA revenue, protecting the format is more than symbolism.
The kick-off at 14:00 UTC on 16 May 2026 is part of that setup. It gives Chelsea and Manchester City a stage to themselves, while everyone else waits for the league programme to resume.
What the final says about Chelsea and City
There is still a football reason to watch beyond the calendar. Chelsea go into Wembley ninth in the Premier League with 49 points after 36 matches, and their last five results include three league defeats, one draw and one FA Cup win. That is a fairly mixed backdrop for a final.
Manchester City arrive second with 77 points from 36 matches and a +43 goal difference. Their last five results are WWDWW, and they also beat Chelsea 3-0 at Chelsea on 12 April 2026 in the most recent meeting between the sides. City have the stronger league numbers and the cleaner recent form, so they have earned the favourite tag for this one.
For the broader story, though, the scheduling is the main event. The FA Cup has been given a clear runway, and the Premier League has stepped aside for the day.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
