The FA Disability Cup in association with EE, returns for the eighth edition of the tournament, with six finals taking place over 29 and 30 June 2024 at St. George’s Park.
The finals, which are the largest competition of its kind, ensure players within impairment-specific football have a national FA competition to call their own with a total of six formats of the game competing: Amputee, Blind, Cerebral Palsy, Deaf, Partially Sighted and Powerchair.
St George’s Park will be open for fans to attend the finals and support the players from the stands.
TNT Sports will show every match live each day, presented by Lynsey Hipgrave alongside Paralympic medallist Ade Adepitan and seven-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft.
Across the weekend they will be joined by experts Scott Rogers (England Amputee head coach), David Clarke (Para GB/Blind football captain and chief executive of British Paralympic Association), Matt Crossen (England CP captain), John Tapia Owens (England head coach), Adam McEvoy (Wheelchair Football Association) and Gregg Baxter (Powerchair player).
Highlights will be available on Channel 4 and All4.
For fans able to attend, the Experience Area will return for 2024; a dedicated space for equipment and adaptions to simulate some of the formats of disability football showcased throughout the finals weekend. For every experience completed, fans will receive a stamp and be rewarded with a token gift.
The taster sessions are linked to Football Your Way, a ground-breaking plan for Disability Football developed by the FA. Part of the three-year plan aims to grow participation, increase the number and quality of coaches, develop an inclusive and diverse talent pathway, build support for elite players, and raise the profile of disability football at every level.
Schedule as follows:
Saturday 29 June
Amputee Cup Final in partnership with England Amputee Football Association
10am | Everton FC v Portsmouth FC | Sir Alf Ramsey Pitch (Indoor 3G)
Partially Sighted Cup in partnership with the National Partially Sighted Football League
12.15pm | Birmingham Futsal vs Scorpions Futsal | The Futsal Arena
Blind Cup Final in partnership with the National Blind Football League
2.15pm | The Royal National College for the Blind vs West Bromwich Albion Blind FC | Tony Larkin Blind Pitch
Sunday 30 June
Cerebral Palsy Cup Final in partnership with CP Sport
9.30am | Chelsea Foundation vs Norwich City Community Sports Foundation FC | Sir Alf Ramsey Pitch (Indoor 3G)
Powerchair Cup Final in partnership with the Wheelchair Football Association
11.25am | Aspire PFC vs West Bromwich Albion PFC | The Futsal Arena
Deaf Cup Final in partnership with England Deaf Football
1.15pm | Farsley Celtic Deaf FC vs St John's Deaf FC | Sir Alf Ramsey Pitch (Indoor 3G)
The Blind Final will see The Royal National College for the Blind return, following last year’s defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion. This year, they will play against West Bromwich Albion Blind FC.
2023 winners Scorpions Futsal will take on Birmingham Futsal in the Partially Sighted Final.
Whilst four-times winners, Aspire PFC play West Bromwich Albion PFC in the Powerchair Final. Norwich City Community Sports Foundation who return for their second FA Disability Cup Final will be up against Chelsea Foundation in the Cerebral Palsy Final.
As we approach the eighth edition of The FA Disability Cup Final, James Kendall, FA director of football development, said: “This year’s Finals are set to be the most competitive yet with a number of former champions returning in the hope to retain their titles. With less than a month to go, everyone involved in the set-up is raring to go and we’re looking forward to watching the players perform at the top of their game and see fans engage with the experience area. Join us at St George’s Park for an action-packed weekend of football.”
Pete Jeavons, marketing communications director at EE, added: “EE are immensely proud to be involved with The FA Disability Cup and our commitment to supporting disability and para football as lead partner of the FA remains as strong as ever. The continual growth of this tournament is a testament to our shared ambitions within football, and we’re excited to see another weekend of competitive action this year.
Scott Young, Group SVP, Content, Production and Business Operations, WBD Sports Europe, said: “The FA Disability Cup is a fantastic weekend of top flight football and six fiercely fought finals. I would encourage as many people as possible to tune in, prepare to be amazed, entertained, and discover more about disability football and the stories of the players and teams that make these finals so exciting. TNT Sports are proud to be involved and to bring every moment of finals action to our viewers.”
Tickets to the FA Disability Cup Finals can be bought by clicking here.
For more information, please click here.