2009 English FA Cup Final

Q: What is the FA Cup?
A: The FA Cup, Football Association Cup, is a tournament in England that takes place separate from but concurrent to the regular season.

It is arguably the most coveted prize in English football as all teams under the English Football Association take part in the tournament, no matter of their league status.

Q: What is so great about it?
A: A few things. Firstly, the fact that it is open to every single team in the country, including amateur sides. Those smaller sides have contest the first two rounds; the third round, is when Premiership and Championship teams get introduced. This can lead to really small teams playing the really big teams.

Another thing that's great about the FA Cup is that every team can realistically dream about doing well in it. If they draw enough home games, and/or mediocre enough opponents, they could have a great run. The draws are totally random.

Herein lies the magic of the FA Cup. Some of the best teams get knocked out early, leaving any remaining smaller teams with that much more hope. The further teams progress in the tournament, the more prize money they receive which is a huge boost for smaller teams.

Thirdly, as this is a knockout tournament, if you lose you're out, so every game is intrinsically dramatic.

Q: Where will the game be held?
A: Wembley Stadium, London. Ever since the FA Cup Final was first held at Wembley Stadium in 1923, only 2 other stadiums have held the FA Cup Final:
- Old Trafford (Manchester United) in 1970 hosted the replay after the first match at Wembley ended in a draw.
- Millenium Stadium (Cardiff) hosted 6 FA Cup Finals between 2001 and 2006 when the new Wembley Stadium was being built.

Q: Is there anything that I am not allowed to bring into the stadium?
A: Yes absolutely. Prohibited items include knives, fireworks, explosives, smoke canisters, aerosols, air-horns, noisemakers, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, illegal substances, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles, or any article that may be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety or which may pose a hazard or nuisance to any other person, or any article to be used for a commercial or a charitable purpose.  Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to or ejected from the Ground.

Q: How do I get to Wembley Stadium?
A: Wembley Stadium is a Public Transport Destination and we recommend that anyone coming to an event at Wembley uses public transport.

The stadium is served by three stations and five lines - the Jubilee, Metropolitan and Bakerloo underground lines plus Chiltern and Silverlink metro rail lines.

Q: What catering facilities are available on an event day?
A: There are 688 food and drink service points located around the stadium on the public concourses as well as facilities available outside the stadium on the outer concourse which encircles the stadium. Both hot and cold food and drinks are available.

Q: Is the consumption of alcohol permitted at Wembley?
A: There are strict rules in place regarding the consumption of alcohol at football events. It is permitted on the concourses and in the restaurants and private hospitality areas. For all football events alcohol must not be consumed inside the main stadium bowl or within view of the pitch.

Q: Does the roof close? Will I get wet if it rains?
A: On event days at Wembley Stadium the roof is always in its fully closed position - lined up with the touchlines leaving the seats covered but the playing surface uncovered. This is how the stadium has been designed as it allows for maximum sunlight to get to the pitch.

The sliding roof will not be moved whilst guests are in the stadium.

In the event of light rain, the seats are all under cover. In the event of extreme rain some guests on the front rows of level 1 can get wet and so we would recommend guests dress appropriately.

Q: Is it possible to purchase official event programmes and merchandise after the event?
A: Official event programmes are usually available for purchase on an event day only from the 33 internal kiosks that are operated on the stadium concourses and on the approach to the stadium.

It is sometimes possible however to purchase both programmes and merchandise from the event owners website after the event has taken place.