Top 10 clubs with most FA Cup semi-final appearances

Published at :March 18, 2024 at 8:38 PM

Modified at :March 18, 2024 at 8:38 PM

The FA Cup is the oldest cup competition.

The FA Cup, or Football Association Challenge Cup, holds the prestigious title of the oldest surviving football competition in the world. This knockout tournament, first kicked off in the 1871-1872 season, has been an annual tradition ever since, with only the interruptions of World Wars I and II breaking its streak.

The latest round of quarter-finals are wrapped. This edition’s semi-finals will be played between Manchester City, Chelsea, Coventry City and Manchester United. On that note, let’s take a look at the clubs which have appeared the most number of times at the semi-finals of this prestigious and oldest cup competition.

10. Blackburn Rovers – 18

Once English league champions and FA Cup finalists, Blackburn Rovers now face relegation from the Championship. The 19th-century giants, who lifted the FA Cup five times (1884-1886, 1890, 1891) and the league title twice (1912, 1914), haven’t reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 2007. Despite 18 previous semi-final appearances, their glory days seem distant.

9. Manchester City – 19

Top 10 clubs with most FA Cup semi-final appearances Manchester City — City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals. (Courtesy: MCFC)

The treble winners and defending champions, Manchester City, have been on the run of a lifetime since the change to Etihad ownership. Once battling in the second division, now the Cityzens are considered favourites to lift silverware they are fighting for. Out of the 19 semi-final appearances in the FA Cup, their last six have all come in the previous decade.

8. West Bromwich Albion – 20

Currently, sitting in fifth place in the Championship, West Bromwich Albion are striving to return to the Premier League. Like Blackburn Rovers, they enjoyed success in the 20th century. However, a decline in performance has been noticeable in recent decades. Their last FA Cup semi-final appearance was in the 2007-08 season, marking their solitary one in the 21st century.

7. Tottenham Hotspur – 21

Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are vying for a spot in the Premier League’s top-four. Despite an early exit from domestic competitions, the revamped Spurs are anticipated to secure the fourth place this season. Looking back at Spurs’ history in the FA Cup, their performance cannot be overlooked. With eight victories and a record 21 appearances in the semi-finals, Spurs have a notable track record. Their most recent semi-final appearance came in the 2017-18 season.

6. Aston Villa – 21

The Villans under Unai Emery are thriving, and have managed to stay fourth in the Premier League. Despite an early exit from the FA Cup, Villa boast a rich history in the tournament. Aston Villa have clinched the title seven times and hold the record for the most semi-final appearances, having reached the stage 21 times. Their most recent semi-final appearance came in the 2014-15 season.

5. Liverpool – 25

Top 10 clubs with most FA Cup semi-final appearances Liverpool Alexis Mac Allister — Although Liverpool registered an initial comeback against United, it wasn’t enough to avoid a defeat. (Courtesy:LFC)

During the times of Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly, Liverpool, known as the Mighty Reds, were at the zenith of English and European football. Their first-ever FA Cup was also won under Shankly in 1965 and since then they have won it eight times. They reached the semi-finals on 25 occasions but missed the chance to make it 26 when they lost to Manchester United this season. This loss meant they couldn’t tie with Everton for the most semi-final appearances.

4. Everton – 26

Everton have upped their local rivals, Liverpool, here. Generally considered inferior out of the two sides, the Toffees hold this record close. They have featured in the FA Cup semi-final 26 times, winning it five times in total, with the last trophy coming in 1995. Furthermore, their most recent semi-final appearance was in the 2015-16 season, where they lost 1-2 to Manchester United.

3. Chelsea – 27

Ask Chelsea fans and they would admit that if there is one competition their team focuses on more than anything, that is the FA Cup. And it is evident from the times they have lifted the trophy. Chelsea have won the FA Cup eight times. Moreover, they have now reached this phase of the competition 27 times, having defeated Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the current FA Cup campaign.

2. Arsenal – 30

Arsenal are the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup, winning the competition a whopping 14 times. While they were knocked out by Liverpool this time around, and could not even reach the quarter-finals, the Gunners have played the second-most number of semi-finals in the history of the competition – 30.

1. Manchester United – 32

Top 10 clubs with most FA Cup semi-final appearances Manchester United Amad Diallo — Amad Diallo won it for United against Liverpool. (Courtesy: MUFC)

Manchester United defeated Liverpool 4-3 in an exciting clash on 17 March, 2024, securing a spot in the semi-finals once again. This victory marks their 32nd appearance at this stage of the FA Cup, surpassing Arsenal by two. However, Arsenal have won the FA Cup a couple of times more than Manchester United, with 14 victories compared to United’s 12.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.