Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.26 2021-22

FA Cup prize money increasing

The Football Association has today announced a
new landmark investment into the Vitality
Women’s FA Cup that will see the competition’s
prize fund receive a significant uplift to £3m per
year.
The new agreement will be introduced from
the start of the 2022/23 season and will see funds
spread across each round of the competition,
resulting in greater investment across both the
women’s professional and grassroots game.
The FA Board signed off on the new
proposals at a meeting last Thursday, highlighting The FA’s commitment in continuing the
impressive growth of the women’s football – across every level of the game.
The Vitality Women’s FA Cup has grown in stature, with 417 teams entering the
competition this season, while interest has significantly increased over the last decade,
which resulted in the Final being permanently moved to Wembley Stadium connected by
EE in 2015. This new financial commitment from The FA looks to recognise and
acknowledge that increased profile and commercial interest in the competition.
Now that the uplift in prize fund for the Vitality Women’s FA Cup has been agreed,
work will begin on how that money is divided and allocated, with the aim being for all clubs
that enter the competition to benefit.
One commitment that The FA will be making, is that a disproportionate amount of
this new fund will be invested into the early rounds of the competition. This will ensure
those clubs further down the pyramid entering those rounds, really feel the benefit of the
prize money earned.
Sue Campbell, Director of Women’s Football at The Football Association, said: "I’m
delighted to be able to make this announcement of increased funding for the Vitality
Women’s FA Cup because it’s going to benefit so many clubs across the women’s football
pyramid.
"The FA Cup, whether men’s or women’s, is the biggest and best domestic cup
competition in the world, and this increased investment from The FA highlights that we
want clubs competing in it to be rewarded, while also highlighting our ongoing
commitment to the women’s game.
"Women’s football continues to be in a growth phase and we are always looking to
make improvements and investment to drive it forward and break new boundaries. This is
certainly one of the most pleasing during my time with the organisation, because I know it
means so much to so many."
More details will be announced in due course on the structure of the new funding and
how it will be distributed across the different stages of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup next
season.
This season’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup is at the Quarter-Final stage, with the Final to
be played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 15 May. Tickets can be purchased by visiting:
www.thefa.com/tickets.
Chelsea continue their defence of the trophy at home to Birmingham City in the
quarter finals on Sunday, whilst Coventry United, the last remaining team from the FA
Women’s Championship, face a daunting trip to Arsenal. Ipswich Town, who are carrying
the flag for the FA Women’s National League, are at home to West Ham Utd whilst
Manchester City host Everton in the other quarter final, a repeat of the 2020 Final.
Issue no. 26 - 17 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk