2019–20 FA Cup
The 2019–20 FA Cup (also known as the Football Association Challenge Cup) was the 139th edition of the oldest football tournament in the world. It was sponsored by Emirates and known as The Emirates FA Cup for sponsorship purposes.
| Football Association Challenge Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Country | England Wales |
| Dates | 10 August 2019 – 1 August 2020 |
| Teams | 735 (all) 644 (qualifying competition) 123 (main competition) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Arsenal (14th title) |
| Runner-up | Chelsea |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 156 |
| Goals scored | 429 (2.75 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | James Ball Harry McKirdy (5 goals each) |
| (Note: All statistics do not include qualifying play-offs) | |
On 13 March 2020, it was agreed that the FA Cup, as well as the rest of professional football in England, would be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 29 May 2020, The FA announced plans to restart the competition, with the rescheduled quarter-finals provisionally set to be played on 27 and 28 June and the final on 1 August. All remaining matches including the final were played behind closed doors. In an effort to "promote good, positive mental health for everyone", according to Prince William, the president of The Football Association, the 2020 FA Cup Final was known as the "Heads Up FA Cup Final", with "Heads Up" a campaign to promote mental health.
The defending champions, Premier League side Manchester City, were eliminated by Arsenal in the semi-finals on 18 July. Arsenal won the final 2–1 against Chelsea, their first win since 2017 and fourth in seven years, for their fourteenth FA Cup title.