The Football Association (The FA) has extended its long-standing global partnership with Emirates for the FA Cup by an additional four years, ensuring that the world’s most iconic domestic cup competition will continue to be known as the Emirates FA Cup until 2028. This new four-year extension, set to commence with the 2024/25 season, further strengthens Emirates’ commitment to The FA’s flagship tournament, a partnership that began in 2015 and has led to many years of successful collaboration. Each season, more than 700 clubs and 10,000 players across ten levels of the English football pyramid compete in this historic competition, culminating in the Final at Wembley Stadium. During the 2023/24 season, over 96 million viewers tuned in to watch the Emirates FA Cup, with more than eight million watching the Final between Manchester City and Manchester United. The competition’s global appeal continues to grow, with matches broadcast in over 200 countries worldwide. The renewed agreement between The FA and Emirates includes new and exciting opportunities for fans to engage with the Emirates FA Cup over the coming seasons, including an annual international Emirates FA Cup Trophy Tour. Throughout the partnership, thousands of fans have had the chance to see the famous trophy in person, with tours to countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States, all supported by Emirates.
The Emirates FA Cup remains a significant revenue generator each year, providing essential investment for the development of English football. As a not-for-profit organization, The FA is able to reinvest these funds to support and grow the sport at all levels, from grassroots to the professional game. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, commented, “Over the years, the Emirates FA Cup has created countless unforgettable sporting moments and united communities through the power of football. We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with The FA and this prestigious, historic tournament loved by football fans around the world. This renewed commitment underscores our dedication to supporting football at all levels, and we look forward to connecting even more fans globally to their favorite teams, allowing them to experience the magic of the Emirates FA Cup.” Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, added, “Emirates has been a valued partner of the FA Cup for nearly a decade, and we are thrilled to extend our relationship once again. Our partnership has strengthened over the years, and their commitment to the world’s most iconic domestic cup competition has greatly benefited the English game. Their global reach continues to help us share the magic of the cup and its unique stories with fans worldwide, and their ongoing investment in the Emirates FA Cup supports vital funding across all levels of English football.”