The FA Cup is the oldest cup competition in the world and is the biggest and most famous knockout tournament in English football.
It is open to eligible clubs in the top 10 tiers in England, beginning with an extra preliminary round in August and culminating in the showpiece FA Cup at Wembley Stadium normally at the end of May.
Premier League and Championship sides enter the FA Cup at the third-round stage, which normally takes place at the beginning of January.
The FA Cup, which began in the 1871/72 season, is revered the world over and gives smaller and non-league clubs the chance to earn the ‘giantkillers’ tag when they come up against and play at more illustrious names.
With their victory over Chelsea in the final of the 2016/17 competition, Arsenal lead the way on 13 FA Cup wins in total, one ahead of 2015/16 champiions Manchester United. Next on the all-time list is Tottenham Hotspur, who have won eight FA Cups – the last one coming in 1991.
Left-back Ashley Cole holds the record for most FA Cup winners medals with seven earned between 2002 and 2012; three with Arsenal and four with Chelsea.
By winning the FA Cup, a club is guaranteed a place in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League in the next season.
Last 10 FA Cup winners
2016/17 Arsenal (beat Chelsea)
2015/16 Manchester United (beat Crystal Palace)
2014/15 Arsenal (beat Aston Villa)
2013/14 Arsenal (beat Hull City)
2012/13 Wigan Athletic (beat Manchester City)
2011/12 Chelsea (beat Liverpool)
2010/11 Manchester City (beat Stoke City)
2009/10 Chelsea (beat Portsmouth)
2008/09 Chelsea (beat Everton)
2007/08 Portsmouth (beat Cardiff City)
For more information on the FA Cup, click here.
