The Football Association Challenge Cup, the FA Cup, is an annual knockout cup competition in English football; it is the oldest association football competition in the world. The first FA Cup was held back in 1871-1872. All clubs in the Premier League and Football League are automatically eligible, while clubs in the next six levels of the English football league system are also eligible provided they have competed in the FA Cup, FA Trophy or FA Vase competitions in the previous season.
In recent years the number of entrants has increased greatly. 660 clubs entered the competition in 2004-2005 while there were 736 to enter for 2014-2015 edition. When you look at other competitions worldwide, you will not see a greater number of teams to enter a tournament. If you look at the other English domestic cup, the League Cup, only the 92 members of the Premier League and Football League. In the United States, the 2015 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will see its largest ever field at 91.
The Cinderella of the tournament so far, League One side Bradford City, faces off against Championship side Reading at home. Bradford City has already knocked off Chelsea and Sunderland in this year’s tournament. In a west Midland Premier League Derby, Aston Villa will take on West Bromich Albion. Liverpool received a favorable draw when it was announced they would face Championship side Blackburn Rovers at home. Current FA Cup holders, Arsenal were drawn against Manchester United and must travel to Old Trafford and win if they want a chance to repeat as champions.
The matches will be played either on March 7th or March 8th. There are some good quality matches in the quarterfinals which should set up for an exciting semifinal draw as well. It is guaranteed that at least one lower level club will be playing in the semifinals with Bradford City and Reading playing each other.