As a lifelong Sunderland fan, I wanted to share my perspective on the weekend’s much-discussed attendance figures. The FA Cup, once the crown jewel of English football, seems to have lost its sparkle.
Growing up, like many from my generation, the FA Cup was more than just a competition - it was an event. Matches on TV were a rarity back then, so the cup offered a unique chance to gather as a family and experience the excitement together. The buildup to the final started early in the morning, and Wembley was sacred ground reserved solely for that climactic occasion. Upsets were frequent, money hadn’t yet created an unbridgeable chasm between teams, and every club entered with a genuine belief they could make history.
Fast forward to 2025, and the football landscape is unrecognisable. Live matches are available every day across leagues or just a stream away online. For clubs like Sunderland, the Premier League has become the golden ticket. Promotion is the dream, one that feels far more achievable (and impactful) than winning a cup.
When you factor in the realities of modern life, it’s not hard to see why fans might skip a third-round tie against Stoke. Temperatures are freezing, families are feeling the pinch after Christmas, and attending a match is expensive. For my family, a day at the Stadium of Light easily tops £100 with tickets, travel, and refreshments. Why spend that on a cup game we’re unlikely to win, especially knowing we won’t field a full-strength team?
The FA Cup has started to feel like an inconvenience rather than an occasion. Semi-finals at Wembley have diluted its uniqueness, turning it into just another revenue exercise. Even Manchester United, England’s most famous club, opted out of the competition entirely not so long ago.
The FA Cup needs a dramatic reinvention to recapture its former glory. Perhaps it’s time to introduce a bigger, bolder incentive - something akin to the spectacle of the Super Bowl. Let’s make winning the FA Cup mean more than a Europa League spot which, let’s be honest, most fans aren’t clamouring for.
Until then, for many of us the magic of the FA Cup remains a cherished memory of a bygone era. One that sadly no longer aligns with today’s football reality.
