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FA Cup final to have 17:15 kick-off time in 2012 and will be held on same weekend as Premier League fixtures
FA chairman David Bernstein reveals showpiece final to feature on weekend with top-flight matches taking place again, whilst minimum ticket prices for games are to be reduced
13 May 2011 08:15:00
ByAndrew Kennedy
FA chairman David Bernstein has confirmed that next year’s FA Cup final will again be held on the same weekend as a full round of Premier League fixtures, but will kick off at the later time of 17:15.
The fact that this season's final between Manchester City and Stoke this Saturday will potentially be overshadowed by Manchester United’s Premier League win if they avoid defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the lunchtime kick-off has received criticisms.
Now plans to move the kick-off time of the 2012 final away from the traditional 15:00 slot will likely only serve to confound the grievances of the FA’s critics, something which Bernstein insists is a necessity due to an increasing number of Premier League and European fixtures to squeeze into the calendar.
Bernstein was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror: “In the course of time we will be looking to get the Cup final back to its traditional date at the end of the season.
“The situation arises not because of the Premier League but European football and Champions League considerations, with the [Champions League] final here at Wembley in a fortnight.
“This year, the Champions League final being here is the key thing. There are only so many Saturdays in a month and the amount of Champions League fixtures has squeezed the calendar.
“But next year - and I can say that now, unfortunately - we are not able to hold it at the end of the season because of the lack of dates and the need to give four clear weeks before the start of Euro 2012.”
Plans are currently in place to hold the FA Cup final on May 5 next year, with a full Premier League fixture list also likely to be played, and the league itself coming to a conclusion eight days later.
And Bernstein insists there is no pressure on the Premier League not to play on the same day as the cup final, stating: “I understand and sympathise with the Premier League situation. They have TV contracts and need to play certain matches when they do. I have to say I’m pleased that there is no crossover with timing.”
The FA’s flagship competition is without a sponsor for next season, and whilst a number of initiatives had been proposed to revive the cup, such as seeding the draw, having no replays and playing games in midweek, the FA have been reluctant to make any moves which could sacrifice credibility.
“We thought many of the ideas would degrade a great traditional competition,” Bernstein added. “But we have agreed to reduce the minimum price clubs can charge for games, and we will be moving to a later FA Cup final kick-off.
“Kicking off at 5.15pm is potentially more popular with viewers.
"There was some reluctance in research to do that but, all in all, it is a good move that will increase the TV value of the competition.”
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The fact that this season's final between Manchester City and Stoke this Saturday will potentially be overshadowed by Manchester United’s Premier League win if they avoid defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the lunchtime kick-off has received criticisms.
Now plans to move the kick-off time of the 2012 final away from the traditional 15:00 slot will likely only serve to confound the grievances of the FA’s critics, something which Bernstein insists is a necessity due to an increasing number of Premier League and European fixtures to squeeze into the calendar.
Bernstein was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror: “In the course of time we will be looking to get the Cup final back to its traditional date at the end of the season.
“The situation arises not because of the Premier League but European football and Champions League considerations, with the [Champions League] final here at Wembley in a fortnight.
“This year, the Champions League final being here is the key thing. There are only so many Saturdays in a month and the amount of Champions League fixtures has squeezed the calendar.
“But next year - and I can say that now, unfortunately - we are not able to hold it at the end of the season because of the lack of dates and the need to give four clear weeks before the start of Euro 2012.”
Plans are currently in place to hold the FA Cup final on May 5 next year, with a full Premier League fixture list also likely to be played, and the league itself coming to a conclusion eight days later.
And Bernstein insists there is no pressure on the Premier League not to play on the same day as the cup final, stating: “I understand and sympathise with the Premier League situation. They have TV contracts and need to play certain matches when they do. I have to say I’m pleased that there is no crossover with timing.”
The FA’s flagship competition is without a sponsor for next season, and whilst a number of initiatives had been proposed to revive the cup, such as seeding the draw, having no replays and playing games in midweek, the FA have been reluctant to make any moves which could sacrifice credibility.
“We thought many of the ideas would degrade a great traditional competition,” Bernstein added. “But we have agreed to reduce the minimum price clubs can charge for games, and we will be moving to a later FA Cup final kick-off.
“Kicking off at 5.15pm is potentially more popular with viewers.
"There was some reluctance in research to do that but, all in all, it is a good move that will increase the TV value of the competition.”
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