Manchester City's Khadija Shaw lifts the 2025-26 Women's FA Cup trophy and Manchester City's Erling Haaland holds the 2025-26 Men's FA Cup trophyImage source, Getty Images
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Manchester City will be looking to defend both the men's and women's FA Cup trophies this season

ByKatharine SharpeBBC Sport senior journalist
  • Published28 minutes ago

It's not just the glory of a historic trophy that appeals to teams competing in the FA Cup.

The world's oldest national football tournament can provide a significant financial boost to lower-league clubs.

With the Football Association's participation prize money on offer for both losers and winners at nearly every round, as well as lucrative TV bonuses and gate fees on top, there are big monetary incentives for smaller teams to progress as far as possible.