The FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, will hold its final for the 2023/24 season today. This historic tournament has seen some of English football’s most memorable matches, including epic Cup upsets.
One of the factors that have somewhat overshadowed the FA Cup compared to the Premier League is the difference in prize money. While clubs can earn millions by finishing a few places higher in the Premier League, the financial rewards in the FA Cup are not as lucrative. Despite this economic reality, the romance of the competition still captivates players from the UK and around the world, who dream of lifting the trophy at Wembley.
The prize money for the FA Cup fluctuates each season, with an increase in winnings last season. The winner of the final match receives £2 million, with additional sums for progressing through the earlier rounds of the competition.
Teams can earn varying amounts for each round they win, ranging from £1,125 for extra preliminary round winners to £2 million for the final winners. If a Premier League team clinches the FA Cup title, they will start playing from the third round onwards and could potentially earn a total of £3.9 million. In the unlikely event that a team starting from the first round emerges victorious, they would pocket £4.08 million.
Despite the difference in prize money compared to the Premier League, the FA Cup continues to hold a special place in the hearts of football fans and players alike, with the dream of lifting the prestigious trophy at Wembley driving teams to compete passionately in the competition.
