FA Cup Prize Money 2025/26: What Manchester City and Chelsea Actually Earn

The victorious side in this year's FA Cup final walks away with £2.12 million, while the runner-up collects £1.06 million. For powerhouses like Manchester City and Chelsea, however, these sums aren't the primary financial draw of this high-stakes matchup.

The substantial earnings came through reaching this stage. Both clubs have accumulated prize money throughout each round since the third round began, and when the final whistle sounds at Wembley, the FA Cup champion will have earned just north of £4.1 million throughout their entire campaign. Even the losing finalist takes home approximately £3 million—a respectable amount, though hardly transformative for organizations generating hundreds of millions annually.

Prize Money By Round

  • Third round victory: £121,500
  • Fourth round victory: £127,000
  • Fifth round victory: £238,500
  • Quarter-final victory: £477,000
  • Semi-final victory: £1.06 million
  • Final victory: £2.12 million
  • Final runner-up: £1.06 million

When tallied together, the complete prize package for the champion totals just over £4.1 million. Within the framework of Premier League salary structures, it's practically negligible. Pep Guardiola's weekly wage bill exceeds what the entire tournament awards its winner.

Yet the silverware itself carries immense significance—particularly for Chelsea.

McFarlane's Remarkable Journey to Wembley

Interim manager Calum McFarlane has travelled an extraordinary path from youth academy coach and lower-league football to an FA Cup final showdown with Guardiola, navigating a series of managerial dismissals that would test even the most seasoned football executives. Two separate caretaker appointments. A club struggling through a turbulent campaign that has simultaneously jeopardized Champions League qualification. And yet here they stand.

When assessing Chelsea's chances in this encounter, McFarlane's limited experience at elite level cannot be overlooked. Guardiola has captured this trophy previously and understands the Wembley atmosphere intimately. That represents a genuine advantage, extending beyond mere reputation.

The FA Cup has built its legacy on shock results and unexpected storylines. This season, that unlikely protagonist already occupies one of the technical areas—he simply happens to be competing in the final itself.