The FA Cup has a long history as one of the most popular and anticipated football competitions in England and Wales. Every year it draws crowds who want to soak up the atmosphere of a decades-old tradition, with the final being held annually at Wembley Stadium.

In 2025, the cup final is shaping up to be yet another edge-of-your-seat match, and you won’t want to miss out on watching football at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Read on to learn about the history of the FA Cup, and how you can book hospitality now in time for the final.

Book FA Cup hospitality

Origins of the FA Cup

The FA Cup was conceptualised by C. W. Alcock, who believed it would be beneficial for the newly founded Football Association to create a challenge cup under its name. In 1871 the FA Cup was born, with the Wanderers taking the first-ever cup.

What is considered the modern-age FA Cup began in 1888, when qualifying rounds were introduced. The competition now consists of five qualifying rounds, a quarter-final, a semi-final, and a final.

Early FA Cup Milestones

At the first final in 1972, the Wanderers team won the cup. While the team no longer exists, they were prevalent in the early days of organised football. The first FA Cup trophy was called the ‘Little Tin Idol’ – made for £20 in Sheffield. However, it was stolen in 1895 and never recovered.

Over time, professional football clubs emerged and dominated the FA Cup. However, the term 'giant-killings’ was coined as non-league teams faced their professional counterparts and even won against them.

Iconic FA Cup Moments

One of the most iconic FA Cup moments was the White Horse final in 1923. This was the first FA Cup final that was held at Wembley Stadium, which was newly erected at the time. The crowds were massive, exceeding the stadium’s capacity of 125,000 and reaching an estimated 300,000 attendees to watch the Bolton Wanderers win the cup. 

Another significant FA Cup final is the 1953 match held at Wembley Stadium, where star England player Stanley Matthews was desperate to finally win some silverware. It was Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers, and Stanley Matthews stopped at nothing to prove himself and win Blackpool the cup. He remains one of the greatest players of all time, able to play at the top level until he was 50 years old.

Modern Era of the FA Cup

In the modern era, the FA Cup is still one of the most important football competitions of the season, as professional and non-League teams go head to head for the chance to win silverware and qualification into the Europa League. The final is still held at Wembley Stadium, the home of football, and is an unmissable event year after year.

One of the more recent FA Cup finals that remains a fan favourite is 2006, when West Ham and Liverpool drew 3 all at Millennium Stadium and the game had to go to extra time before the Reds eventually won the cup. Steven Gerrard was the star of the match, despite Liverpool scoring an own goal at the beginning of the game.

Get FA Cup Tickets

The 2025 FA Cup finals are fast approaching, and it’s all the more exciting when hungry non-League teams make it this far in the competition. The atmosphere at an FA Cup match is just unbeatable, you can’t recreate the screams and cheers of the crowd at Wembley anywhere else. 

Be there in ultimate style with premium tickets and Wembley Stadium hospitality for incredible luxury treatment at the match. Get a private box to enjoy your pre-match meal and complimentary bar, or access to the Bobby Moore hospitality lounge for an even more opulent offering. 

Hospitality tickets for the FA Cup semi-final and final are on sale at Seat Unique now, so don’t delay and secure your place at this incredible venue and make some memories that will last a lifetime.

Book FA Cup hospitality