FA Cup Final Countdown: Chelsea vs. City

When and Where

Circle your calendars, folks! The showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City is set for the FA Cup Final on Saturday, May 16, 2026. We kick off at 15:00 (UK time) at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

For those watching from home, you can catch the action live in the UK on BBC One, TNT Sports 1, and streaming on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website.

International supporters can find their local listings on Live Soccer TV.

App Coverage

The official Man City app is your one-stop destination for all matchday updates! The Matchday Centre kicks off at 12:00 (UK), offering real-time text updates, stats, and analysis.

From the moment the referee blows the whistle, tune in for live audio commentary featuring Alistair Mann and Michael Brown. Don't forget to enable push notifications for immediate updates on all key moments!

Looking for highlights? You'll be able to access a variety of match packages starting from 12:00 on Sunday, May 17, with a full match replay available via CITY+.

Opposing Manager: Calum McFarlane

A fascinating subplot is Chelsea's interim manager, Calum McFarlane. The 38-year-old has made significant strides to earn his position after the recent departure of Liam Rosenior. In his previous stint, he held City to a 1-1 draw—not an easy feat!

McFarlane gained recognition during his time as assistant manager for the U18 squad, guiding young talents like Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly to success.

Danger Men

When discussing Chelsea, the immediate threat comes from Cole Palmer. Known for his adaptability in tight spaces, Palmer isn't shy about unleashing long-range efforts either. Despite a recent penalty miss against Nottingham Forest, his skills at the spot are to be respected.

Another name to watch is Joao Pedro, who brings a physical presence up front with significant goal involvement metrics this season—20, to be precise.

Pep Guardiola Preview

Manchester City's own Pep Guardiola will face the media on Friday, May 15 for his pre-match press conference, where he'll share the latest team news. Fans can follow along live on ManCity.com.

If you miss it, don't fret! We'll have a detailed recap, so you can keep up with Guardiola's thinking.

Previous Meeting

In our last FA Cup meeting, City edged Chelsea in the semi-final of the 2023-24 edition with a late winner from Bernardo Silva. Just last month, we also faced off in the Premier League, with City walking away with a commanding 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge—definitely a confidence booster!

Last Time Out

To reach this final, City overcame Southampton with an impressive comeback, featuring late goals from Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku after trailing due to a Finn Azaz opener.

Chelsea, meanwhile, secured their spot against Leeds United, winning thanks to an Enzo Fernandez goal.

Match Officials

Referee: Darren England (Sheffield & Hallamshire FA)

Assistant referees: Tim Wood (Gloucestershire FA), Akil Howson (Leicestershire & Rutland FA)

Fourth Official: Sam Barrott (West Riding FA)

VAR: Peter Bankes (Liverpool FA)

Global TV Listings

To find out how to watch the match live globally, check out Live Soccer TV.

(Listings correct as of Thursday, May 14)

Get Ready for the FA Cup Final!

Matchday excitement is just around the corner, Cityzens! Prepare for an epic showdown. Interested in winning FA Cup final tickets? Check out more about the Cityzens competition here.