FA Cup final gets never-before-seen kickoff time after BBC and ITV clash over scheduling
THE FA CUP final has been given a brand new kick-off time just two weeks before the showpiece match at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester City and Crystal Palace's season-concluding clash will start at a later time of 4:30pm BST on Saturday May 17.
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The FA Cup kick-off time has finally been shared with fans
Credit: Reuters
The new time was agreed following collaboration with the two clubs, broadcasters, local authorities, police and the Safety Advisory Group.
The FA Cup final has traditionally kicked off at 3pm - a time preferred by police.
FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were delayed, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.
The Beeb wanted the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot - ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there would be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.
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More than 7.5million people in the UK watched Eurovision on the BBC last year, with the corporation desperate to not see the final clash with the competition.
ITV were understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.
The 2022 final between Chelsea and Liverpool was forced to start at 4:45pm because of a scheduling clash with Eurovision that night too.
In each of the Chelsea's previous trips to Wembley in 2021 and 2020 for the FA Cup final kick-off has been at 5:15pm and 5:30pm
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City booked their place in the final for the third straight year with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last Sunday,
Goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol gave Pep Guardiola the chance to end a disappointing season with another trophy.
Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at Wembley
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are chasing their first ever FA Cup gong after thrashing Aston Villa in the semi-final on Saturday.
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A wonder striker from Eberechi Eze and a double from Ismaila Sarr secured Palace's third ever final in the competition.
The 2024-25 FA Cup final will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer as well as ITV1 and ITVX.
No Premier League matches have been scheduled for the final.
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There were rows and rows of empty seats for the FA Cup semi-finals
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And City will be hoping that their fans actually turn up this time, after 5,000 fans snubbed the journey against Forest.
Fans of both clubs are already raging over an increase in ticket prices - a first in six years - with fees ranging from £175 for a category 1 ticket to £50 for category 4.
That's a rise of £30 for category 1 tickets compared to the 2024 final.
A spokesperson said: 'The FA Cup is our biggest revenue producer, and it allows us to invest more funding into every level of English football.
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'We will be freezing the prices of almost all tickets to the Emirates FA Cup Final for the next three years.'
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