As Chelsea and Leicester City go head-to-head for the 2021 edition, we look back at those clubs that have already secured the famous cup in the past.
The FA Cup. English club football's annual competition is the oldest one still in existence, both in terms of cup and league formats. It all began in the 1871/72 season but another final is now upon as as Chelsea and Leicester City clash at Wembley on Sunday.
The FA Cup: where it all began
Way back in 1872 it was Wanderers Football Club that laid claim to being the first winner of the FA Cup. The club went on to win four more before it was dissolved in 1883. A short, but successful early spell in The Beautiful Game.
Many of the names on those early trophies are no longer well known but in 1884 Blackburn Rovers claimed the title, the first of six between then and 1926. That club took more recent global headlines after rising to the top of the English game in 1994/95 under the management of Kenny Dalglish, although they did manage other league titles in 1911/12 and 1913/14, long before the Premier League arrived. Aston Villa were the first of those teams currently in the English top flight to win the FA Cup, back in 1887.
If you want all the history of the FA Cup and the clubs that were involved from the start - including Welsh and Scottish sides - then you'll want to visit footballhistory.org. A wealth of information meticulously gathered together.
Which club has won the most FA Cups?
From Wanderers in 1872 to Arsenal in 2020, in total there have been 43 different winners. This could change if The Foxes win on Sunday, having so far only reaching bridesmaid status thus far.
Holders Arsenal increased their dominance on the trophy last season as they overcame London rivals Chelsea to win their 14th FA Cup. Their first was in 1930, exactly 90 years prior.
Next on the list of winners is Manchester United, two behind, and then Tottenham with nine. Equal on seven trophy lifts are Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea, with the Blues just one game from moving into fourth place in their own right.
The Gunners also lead the way, as may be expected, on the number of FA Cup finals having appeared in 21. Man Utd have been in 19 showpiece finals while Liverpool are next with 14.
The Red Devils from Manchester were the first club to win 10 of the famous old cups. Leicester's four finals without a win means they hold that unwanted record.