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FA Cup final 2025 kick-off time – why is Man City vs Crystal Palace starting later this year?

Published on May 17, 2025 at 07:57 AM

MANCHESTER City will travel to Wembley for the FA Cup final for the third time in three years.

However, they will play – not , whom they faced in the previous two iterations.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Manchester City's Jack Grealish battles for possession with Crystal Palace's Will Hughes and Justin Devenny during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Crystal Palace FC at Etihad Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Man City eased past Crystal Palace when the two sides met in the Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne applauds the fans as he is substituted during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Crystal Palace FC at Etihad Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Kevin De Bruyne is aiming to win a trophy in his final season at Man City
Alamy Live News. 3B9Y7EM during the The Isuzu FA Trophy Final match between Aldershot Town and Spennymoor Town at Wembley Stadium, London on Sunday 11th May 2025. (Photo: Scott Llewellyn | MI News) This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check.
The FA Cup final at Wembley will have a new kick-off time in 2025

Palace aim to go one better than their last final appearance in 2016, where they lost 2-1 to United, and bring the famous trophy back to south London.

side eased beyond , beating Unai Emery’s side 3-0 on a comfortable afternoon at Wembley.

, currently having won the trophy seven times, can equal the tally of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all-time, an win FA Cup number eight against Palace.

City have been here twice in two seasons, but will have to face off against Palace a bit later than they have in previous seasons.

Why is Man City vs Crystal Palace starting later?

Man City vs Crystal Palace will start at 4.30pm BST, rather than 3pm BST in 2025.

The final is usually held at 3pm BST, as this is the time favoured by the police.

The change is due to a dispute between ITV and BBC, who both currently hold the rights to show the FA Cup.

ITV were pushing for the final to be at 5.30pm, as this would maximise prime time viewership and advertisement.

BBC, however, wanted to keep the final at the traditional 3pm start time.

This was so the Eurovision song contest could go on without any interruption – even if City vs Palace goes all the way to penalties.

As such, the pair agreed to play the final at 4.30pm BST.

How to watch the FA Cup final for FREE

  • Man City vs Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final is FREE to watch in the UK.
  • The game will be broadcast LIVE on both BBC One and ITV1.
  • The FA Cup final can also be live streamed on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
  • The final will kick-off at 4.30pm BST.
  • SunSport will live blog all the build-up and action as it happens.

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