Why Is The Football Challenge Cup So Popular?
While commonly known as the FA Cup, the Football Challenge Cup has a history which goes back to the 1871-72 season and while the number of teams involved has dramatically increased since then, the main attraction of the competition has not changed. So why is it so popular around the world and why does it regularly attract audiences in excess of a billion people?
Even though the league clubs do not join the competition until the end of the year, some of the non-league teams who make it into the “competition proper” may have been playing qualifying games for months before. There are many amateur clubs in the UK eligible to play in the FA Cup although some do not take up the opportunity because of the extra costs of travelling, player’s expenses, etc. However for some non-league clubs playing in the FA Cup it can lead to increased income in the later rounds, TV money, increased exposure and it has even started the career of many footballers.
The main reason why the FA Cup is still so popular is the fact that it is the only Football Cup competition in the world which mixes non-league teams with league teams, offering the chance of some major upsets along the way. Whether you are looking at Wimbledon winning the Cup from no where, Bournemouth knocking out the famous Manchester United or Sunderland lifting the trophy after being major under dogs, the chance of an upset is always present.
While some would say that the “Cup” has lost some of its attraction in recent years as more money has poured into the higher echelons of the league, viewing figures do not suggest this. The FA Cup Final is a massive day on the sporting calendar and many countries around the world will tune in to watch the game live. The rewards of being the holder of the “Cup” for just one year cannot be under estimated - it can literally mean millions of pounds in extra prize money, gate receipts and merchandise sales.
