What was once seen as a quieter counterpart to the men’s game is now a centrepiece in its own right: tens of thousands of fans at Wembley, millions more watching at home, and a growing recognition that this is no longer a side note, the Woman’s FA cup final.
When Is the Women’s FA Cup Final and What Time Does It Start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 PM BST, Sunday 17th May. The timing is indicative of both audience appetite and scheduling logic: early enough for families to attend and late enough to feel like an occasion. For fans travelling from across the country, it’s a generous window. For those watching on TV, it’s more than perfect. The FA and BBC have worked closely to make sure they get maximum reach, with coverage starting well before the whistle.
How Did Chelsea and Manchester United Reach the Final?
Chelsea Women enter the 2025 Women's FA Cup final in exceptional form, having completed an unbeaten Women's Super League (WSL) season with 19 wins and 3 draws, collecting a record 60 points.
Under new manager Sonia Bompastor, the team has already secured the WSL title and the League Cup, positioning themselves for a domestic treble. Their defensive solidity has been a cornerstone of their success, conceding just 10 goals in the league. In the FA Cup, Chelsea showed their dominance with decisive victories, including a 7-0 win over Leicester City and a 2-0 semi-final against Arsenal. At Wembley, Chelsea aim to cap off a remarkable season with a historic treble.
Manchester United’s run has had the whiff of destiny. They opened with a confident 5–0 demolition of Bristol City before dispatching Reading with clinical efficiency. Their quarter-final against Manchester City was a bruising, rain-soaked affair that went to penalties, with goalkeeper Mary Earps the hero of the hour. In the semi-final, they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–1, with Ella Toone and Nikita Parris both in inspired form.
Where Is the Final and How Can Fans Attend?
Once again, the final returns to Wembley. The stadium, so often associated with the men’s game, is now just as closely linked with the women’s. Last year, a record-breaking crowd filled the stands; this year, another sell-out is on the cards. Tickets are allocated via the two clubs and the FA’s official website, and, as of now, only a handful remain. For those seeking a more elevated experience, hospitality packages offer early access, premium seating, and three-course meals, not exactly Bovril and pies, but the upgrade reflects just how much the women's game has grown.
Why the Women’s FA Cup Matters More Than Ever
First held in 1971, the Women's FA Cup has always been a battleground for visibility. But what used to be fought for is now, in many ways, being delivered. Attendances are up, sponsorship is serious, and the football on offer is competitive, physical, and fast. More importantly, it matters. For girls watching at home, for women who never got the chance, for fans who have followed since the days of unpaid matches and empty terraces, this final is a landmark, not a sideshow.
Unlike the increasingly commercialised world of men’s football, the women’s game still carries the sense of being built from the ground up. Clubs remain connected to their communities. The players, many of whom were semi-professional just a few seasons ago, are more accessible.
What to Expect Before Kick-off
As ever, the build-up will be a dynamite combination of tradition and theatre. Expect choirs, flags, and the national anthem delivered with gusto. Abide With Me has yet to become a staple of the women’s final, but the atmosphere doesn’t lack for solemnity or sound. Wembley, when filled with fans of the women’s game, has a different energy. There’s joy, of course, but also a pride. A feeling that something important is happening, and everyone is lucky to witness it.
Who Are the Players to Watch?
Nikita Parris, reborn this season, has rediscovered the form that made her such a force at Lyon. And then there’s Mary Earps. No longer just a cult hero, she is now widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world. Her performance in the semi-final was the kind that lives long in the memory.
Two Clubs, One Opportunity
Chelsea are chasing their fourth Women’s FA Cup title in five years. Under Emma Hayes, who departs for the US national team this summer, they have dominated English football with a ruthlessness that has become their trademark. Victory here would be a fitting send-off for a manager who has done more than most to raise the bar.
United, by contrast, are the insurgents. Only promoted to the Women’s Super League in 2019, they have developed fast. They’ve spent, yes, but they’ve also built something. Their fans, already known for their volume, are expected to bring thousands to Wembley.
The Women’s FA Cup Final might not carry the same folklore as the men’s, but it’s coming in hot on its heels and is made a name for itself in its own right, so tune in or turn up and expect a rambunctious afternoon of thrills, spills and, with any luck, plenty of goals.
