Frank Christian
The FA Cup holds the title as the world’s oldest national football tournament, having been first held in the 1871/72 season. Over the years, FA Cup final day has become a pivotal occasion in the domestic football calendar, drawing fans from both competing teams and neutral viewers globally.
Although the FA Cup may not carry the same level of prestige as it did in the past—especially when compared to the lucrative Premier League or European tournaments—it remains a significant event for many supporters. Cup final day in May is a cherished occasion for the teams and fans fortunate enough to reach Wembley Stadium.
One of the appealing aspects of this tournament lies in its unexpected drama and the surprising journeys of lower-tier teams that capture the hearts of fans with their remarkable cup runs.
The last time a non-top division club won the FA Cup was West Ham in the 1979/80 season, and the last lower division team to reach the final was Cardiff City in the 2007/08 season.
The Sporting News takes a retrospective look at the illustrious history of the FA Cup to discover which club has claimed the trophy the most times.
Which club has the highest number of FA Cup victories?
The club with the most FA Cup titles is Arsenal, having celebrated victory 14 times. However, another club is following closely behind.
The North London team secured their initial FA Cup win in 1930 and last lifted the trophy in 2020. A significant portion of Arsenal’s cup successes has occurred in recent times, with the Gunners winning the prestigious title eight times between 1998 and 2020.
This recent era of triumphs coincided with Arsene Wenger’s tenure as Arsenal manager, during which he consistently led the team to cup victories. Notably, this period was marked by intense competition with Manchester United, particularly in the earlier years of his management. Both clubs frequently vied for honors in both the Premier League and FA Cup.
Manchester United follows closely with 13 FA Cup wins, narrowing the gap with Arsenal after their 2-1 triumph over Man City in the 2024 final. Their first FA Cup win was in 1909, and they last tasted success in 2016. They hold the record for the most runner-up finishes, having lost in the final against Man City as recently as June 2023.
Between 1998 and 2005, either Arsenal or United secured the FA Cup on six occasions, with Arsenal edging out United in the 2005 final through penalties after a goalless draw.
Which coach has the most FA Cup titles?
Not surprisingly, Arsene Wenger stands as the manager with the highest number of FA Cup victories, amassing seven titles during his time with Arsenal.
Wenger is uniquely distinguished as the only manager to have won the final at both the old and new Wembley, as well as at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff while it was under construction.
The manager with the second most FA Cup wins is George Ramsay, whose Aston Villa squads captured the title six times between 1887 and 1920.
In modern football, Sir Alex Ferguson follows Wenger with five FA Cup victories during his managerial career at Old Trafford, achieving this success in 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2004.
Which athlete has the most FA Cup triumphs?
The player with the most FA Cup honors is Ashley Cole.
The England international left-back was part of the Arsenal team that won the FA Cup in 2002, 2003, and 2005.
His controversial transfer to Chelsea saw him secure four additional trophies in the subsequent years: 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012.
How many teams have lifted the FA Cup?
With a rich history, the FA Cup has seen numerous teams crowned champions over the years. In total, 44 teams have claimed the trophy since its inception in 1872.
| Club | FA Cup Titles |
| Arsenal | 14 |
| Manchester United | 13 |
| Chelsea | 8 |
| Liverpool | 8 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 8 |
| Aston Villa | 7 |
| Manchester City | 7 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 6 |
| Newcastle United | 6 |
| Everton | 5 |
| Wanderers | 5 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 5 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 4 |
| Sheffield United | 4 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 3 |
| West Ham United | 3 |
| Bury | 2 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2 |
| Old Etonians | 2 |
| Portsmouth | 2 |
| Preston North End | 2 |
| Sunderland | 2 |
| Barnsley | 1 |
| Blackburn Olympic | 1 |
| Blackpool | 1 |
| Bradford City | 1 |
| Burnley | 1 |
| Cardiff City | 1 |
| Charlton Athletic | 1 |
| Clapham Rovers | 1 |
| Coventry City | 1 |
| Derby County | 1 |
| Huddersfield Town | 1 |
| Ipswich Town | 1 |
| Leeds United | 1 |
| Leicester City | 1 |
| Notts County | 1 |
| Old Carthusians | 1 |
| Oxford University | 1 |
| Royal Engineers | 1 |
| Southampton | 1 |
| Wigan Athletic | 1 |
| Wimbledon | 1 |
