The Adobe Women’s FA Cup returns this weekend with the highly anticipated fourth round of the competition. As the Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs enter the tournament for the first time this season, football fans are in for a treat with thrilling matchups. This weekend marks the beginning of the WSL’s journey in the cup, as 32 teams battle it out for a place in the fifth round.
The competition is already heating up, and with significant prize money at stake, the pressure is on as teams look to secure a place in the prestigious FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Last year, Manchester United emerged victorious after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-0, marking their first-ever FA Cup title. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the upcoming fixtures, the teams to watch, and how to follow the action.
Who Won Last Year?
In 2024, Manchester United were crowned Women’s FA Cup champions after an impressive 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Wembley. The triumph marked a historic achievement for United, as it was their first piece of silverware since the club’s inception in 2018. The victory added another layer to the club’s growing reputation in women’s football.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has long been one of the most successful clubs in the history of the FA Cup, with a remarkable 14 titles to their name. However, their last FA Cup triumph was back in the 2015/16 season when they defeated Chelsea 1-0. In recent years, Chelsea and Manchester City have dominated the competition, with City securing three FA Cup titles and Chelsea winning it four times.
Upcoming Fixtures in the Fourth Round
The fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup will take place over the weekend, with the first round of matches on Saturday, January 11, and the remaining fixtures scheduled for Sunday, January 12. This round will determine which teams progress to the fifth round, where the winners will receive £54,000, while the overall champions will take home a hefty £430,000.
Here are the confirmed dates for the competition’s progression:
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Fourth Round | January 11-12 |
| Fifth Round | February 9 |
| Quarter-Final | March 9 |
| Semi-Final | April 13 |
| Final (Wembley Stadium) | May 18 |
Upcoming Fourth Round Fixtures
The fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup promises to bring fans some exciting encounters, with plenty of drama on the horizon. Among the fixtures, we have a couple of London derbies, a few high-stakes matchups between top-flight sides, and a series of underdog stories waiting to unfold.
Here’s the full list of fourth round fixtures for this weekend:
| Fixture | Date/Time (GMT) |
|---|---|
| Brighton vs Durham | Saturday 12:30 |
| Manchester United vs West Brom | Saturday 17:15 |
| Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United | Sunday 12:00 |
| Fulham vs London City Lionesses | Sunday 12:00 |
| Arsenal vs Bristol City | Sunday 12:30 |
| Leicester City vs Stoke City | Sunday 13:00 |
| Exeter City vs Sunderland | Sunday 13:00 |
| Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest/Burnley | Sunday 13:00 |
| Blackburn vs Portsmouth | Sunday 13:00 |
| Manchester City vs Ipswich Town | Sunday 13:00 |
| Everton vs Tottenham | Sunday 13:00 |
| London Bees vs Rugby Borough | Sunday 14:00 |
| West Ham United vs Liverpool | Sunday 14:00 |
| Cheltenham Town vs Wolves | Sunday 14:00 |
| Chelsea vs Charlton Athletic | Sunday 15:00 |
| Aston Villa vs Bristol Rovers | Sunday 17:45 |
Key Matches to Watch
Several exciting fixtures stand out as the FA Cup enters the fourth round. Here are some of the key matchups you won’t want to miss:
1. Brighton & Hove Albion vs Durham
The competition kicks off on Saturday at 12:30 GMT with Brighton & Hove Albion taking on Durham. Both teams have been in good form in their respective leagues, and this promises to be an exciting clash between a WSL side and a Championship contender.
2. Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion
On Saturday at 17:15 GMT, Manchester United will look to continue their title defense against West Bromwich Albion. The Red Devils are one of the tournament’s favourites after their 2024 victory, but West Brom will be looking to cause an upset. Additionally, Manchester United’s manager, Marc Skinner, will be looking for a strong performance from his squad as they make their first appearance in the competition this season.
3. Arsenal vs Bristol City
On Sunday at 12:30 GMT, Arsenal will host Bristol City in what could be a thrilling north-London showdown. Arsenal has been dominant in the FA Cup historically, but they’ll face a tough test against Bristol City, who will need to be at their best to challenge the Gunners.
4. West Ham United vs Liverpool
West Ham United will host Liverpool on Sunday at 14:00 GMT in a fixture that sees two top-flight clubs face off. Both sides have been inconsistent in the WSL this season, and this encounter will be a crucial test for their FA Cup ambitions. Liverpool, with a talented squad, will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition.
5. Chelsea vs Charlton Athletic
At 15:00 GMT on Sunday, Chelsea will take on Charlton Athletic. Chelsea has been one of the dominant forces in women’s football in recent years, and they’ll be looking to maintain their strong form in the competition. Charlton Athletic, however, will be eager to put on a strong performance and cause an upset in this exciting London derby.
How to Watch the FA Cup
With so much action scheduled, many fans will be wondering how they can catch all the games this weekend. Thankfully, the FA has confirmed that eight of the 16 fourth-round fixtures will be streamed live on various platforms, including the FA Player and the competition’s new YouTube channel.
Additionally, the BBC will broadcast some games, including the Fulham vs London City Lionesses match, which will kick off at 12:00 GMT on Sunday. The BBC will cover this fixture through BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, and the BBC Sport website.
Here’s where you can catch each game:
| Fixture | Where to Watch |
|---|---|
| Brighton vs Durham | YouTube and FA Player |
| Manchester United vs West Brom | YouTube and FA Player |
| Fulham vs London City Lionesses | BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport Website |
| Arsenal vs Bristol City | YouTube and FA Player |
| Manchester City vs Ipswich | YouTube and FA Player |
| London Bees vs Rugby Borough | YouTube and FA Player |
| West Ham vs Liverpool | YouTube and FA Player |
| Chelsea vs Charlton Athletic | YouTube and FA Player |
Conclusion
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup continues to grow in stature and excitement, and this weekend’s fourth-round fixtures will undoubtedly provide plenty of drama and high-quality football. With all 12 WSL teams making their debut in the competition, the stage is set for some memorable clashes.
As the competition progresses, teams will be looking to secure a place in the prestigious FA Cup Final at Wembley. Manchester United will be hoping to defend their title, while other clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, will be keen to lift the trophy and add another piece of silverware to their collections.
Be sure to catch the action across various platforms this weekend and follow your favourite teams as they compete for the Women’s FA Cup crown.
