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FA Cup final 2026 betting odds, tips and live stream soccer

The FA Cup final is the showpiece of English domestic soccer, and the 2026 edition pits Chelsea against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. You can bet on the final and every other FA Cup game at Stake Sportsbook, and we’ll walk you through how in this complete guide.

What is the FA Cup?

The Football Association Challenge Cup, better known as the FA Cup, is a knockout tournament played across the English soccer season. The competition features teams from England and Wales, with clubs from nine levels of the football pyramid taking part every year. This includes non-league teams, which means even the smallest clubs have the chance to play the biggest Premier League sides.

Replays were scrapped after the qualifying stages from the 2024-25 season onwards. Any FA Cup tie that ends in a draw now goes to extra time and then penalties. The winners qualify for next season’s Europa League and earn the right to play the Premier League champions in the Community Shield.

History of the FA Cup

The FA Cup was first played in 1871, eight years after the Football Association set out the unified rules of the game. The original tournament was a straight knockout, open to any team that followed the FA’s rules. As the number of clubs grew, qualifying stages were added so that even the smallest clubs could still dream of a place in the main draw. More than 700 teams now take part each year, with six qualifying rounds played before the tournament proper begins.

Crystal Palace won the 2024-25 FA Cup, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from Eberechi Eze. It was Palace’s first major trophy and their first FA Cup win after losing in the 1990 final.

2026 FA Cup final - Chelsea vs Manchester City

The 2026 FA Cup final takes place on Saturday 16 May at Wembley Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm UK time. Chelsea face Manchester City in what is the 145th edition of the final.

Manchester City reach Wembley for a record fourth consecutive year. They’re chasing an eighth FA Cup title and a domestic cup double, having already lifted the EFL Cup this season. Chelsea are in their 17th FA Cup final and first since 2022. The Blues are chasing a ninth title and their first since beating Manchester United in 2018.

For an in-depth breakdown of the match-up, make sure you read up on our dedicated FA Cup final betting picks before you place your wagers.

Which teams have won the most FA Cups?

Some of the most successful clubs in FA Cup history include:

  • Arsenal - 14 titles

  • Manchester United - 13 titles

  • Chelsea - 8 titles

  • Liverpool - 8 titles

  • Tottenham Hotspur - 8 titles

  • Manchester City - 7 titles

  • Aston Villa - 7 titles

  • Newcastle - 6 titles

  • Blackburn Rovers - 6 titles

How to bet on the FA Cup final at Stake

Betting on the FA Cup final works the same way as any other soccer match at Stake. You can read more in our full soccer betting guide, or follow these quick steps to get started:

  1. Log in to your Stake account and check your balance.

  2. Make a deposit using any supported local currency or cryptocurrency.

  3. Search for the FA Cup, or use the menu to navigate to Soccer > England > FA Cup.

  4. Choose a game to bet on, then select any of the available markets to add to your bet slip.

  5. Enter your stake, then confirm to place your bet.

  6. Watch the live stream to follow the action.

The FA Cup final has dozens of betting markets to choose from. The most popular include:

  • 1x2 (match winner)

  • To lift the trophy

  • Draw no bet

  • Asian total

  • Asian handicap

  • Double chance

  • First goalscorer

  • Correct score

  • Both teams to score

  • Halftime/fulltime

  • Same-game parlay

  • Outright

Live stream the FA Cup final and live betting markets

You can find both pre-match and live betting markets at Stake, with live odds available throughout the FA Cup final. To bet live, log into your account while the match is in play and choose from any of the available markets. Check the live stats and move quickly to lock in odds before they shift. You can also live stream the final and other FA Cup games for free, provided you’re logged in.

FA Cup final odds and payouts

  • Decimal - Work out your payout, including your original stake, by multiplying your stake by the decimal odds. For example, betting $50 at odds of 2.50 returns $125 if you win, a profit of $75.

  • Fractional - These odds show your potential profit. Multiply your stake by the first number of the fraction, then divide by the second. For example, $10 at 9/2 returns a $45 profit if you win.

  • American - These odds use a plus or minus sign. A minus sign shows how much you need to bet to win $100. A plus sign shows the profit from a winning $100 bet.

Learn more in our guide on how to read sports betting odds. You can also switch between decimal, fractional and American odds in your account settings.

FA Cup betting tips and strategies

  • Form over reputation - The biggest clubs don’t always have it their own way. Manchester City have lost their last two FA Cup finals despite being favourites in both, so always check current form and recent results rather than relying on history.

  • Research the matchup - Head-to-head records, key players and offensive and defensive stats all matter. Last season, an average of 3.12 goals were scored per game in the FA Cup, with the home side winning 46% of the time.

  • Consider the wider schedule - Cup ties can be affected by what teams have on either side of the fixture. Sides juggling European competition or a Premier League title race often rest key players in earlier rounds, which can swing the odds.

  • Use our picks blog - We provide free expert analysis on every major round of the FA Cup. Check out our FA Cup picks before placing your bets.

Bet bonuses and responsible gambling

When you bet on the FA Cup final and other soccer matches at Stake, make sure you claim any of our sports betting promos that apply. Our VIP Club also lets you earn rewards as you play, including regular rakeback, reload bonuses and your own dedicated VIP host once you reach a higher level.

Always read the terms before claiming an offer, and remember to bet responsibly. Our Stake Smart guide has plenty of advice on staying safe while having fun with sports betting.