FA Cup
FA Cup simulator: recreate the bracket all the way to Wembley
The FA Cup is the oldest association-football competition in the world: first held in 1871-72 and run by The Football Association in England. It is a single-elimination knockout open to hundreds of clubs from across the English football pyramid, with a fresh random draw before every round and no fixed seeding. Premier League and Championship clubs enter in the Third Round Proper, and any tie can produce an upset that knocks out one of the giants.
This simulator shows the real bracket of the latest edition from the Round of 16 (the last 16) through the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the grand final at Wembley Stadium, pre-filled with the real results. You can pick a different winner in any tie to re-simulate the road to the title and see how the story might have changed. It is free and needs no signup.
How to use the FA Cup simulator
- 1Start at the Round of 16 with the real bracket already filled in with the actual results from the latest edition.
- 2Tap a team in any tie to choose it as the winner and send it through to the next round.
- 3Re-simulate the following rounds: every change updates the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the Wembley final automatically.
- 4Crown your champion at Wembley, or hit reset to return to the real outcome at any time.
FA Cup frequently asked questions
What is the FA Cup?
It is the oldest football cup in the world, first held in 1871-72 and run by The Football Association. It is a single-elimination knockout open to hundreds of clubs from across the English football pyramid.
Which round does the simulator start from?
From the Round of 16 (the last 16), advancing through the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the single Wembley final with the real results already filled in.
Can I change the results?
Yes. You can pick a different winner in any tie and the bracket is re-simulated all the way to the champion. You can also reset to the real outcome whenever you like.
Where is the final played?
The final is played at Wembley Stadium in London as a single knockout match.
What does the FA Cup winner earn?
As well as the trophy, the winner qualifies for a European competition, the Europa League.