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The FA Cup is an annual knockout cup competition played in men's domestic English football. Any professional club registered with the FA can participate, making it one of the biggest football competitions in the world.
Anyone from the conference divisions (10th tier) up to the Premier League can participate. A record 763 clubs competed for the coveted trophy in the 2011-12 season.
This year marks the 150th year since the inaugural FA Cup was held in 1871-72. It is the oldest domestic football competition in the world.
The winner of the FA Cup qualifies for the next season's UEFA Europa League and also plays the Premier League winners in the Community Shield. Leicester City are the current holders of the cup, having beaten Chelsea 1-0 in last year's final.
In commemoration of 150 years of the FA Cup, here's a look at the five most successful Premier League clubs in the competition.
#5 Liverpool (7-time FA Cup winners, 7-time runners-up)
Liverpool are arguably the most successful English club of all time. They have won a total of 19 English top-flight titles, and an English-record six UEFA Champions League trophies. They have also won three UEFA Cups.
However, in the FA Cup, the Reds have been relatively subdued, winning seven times. Their last win in the competition came in 2005-06. Liverpool and West Ham played out an enthralling 3-3 draw in regulation time before Rafael Benitez's team lifted the cup.
The final was nicknamed 'Steven Gerrard's Final' after the Englishman inspired a comeback for Liverpool. He equalised with a stunning strike from distance.
The Reds have been average, at best, in the FA Cup in the last few years. In this year's edition, they will begin their campaign in the third round, where they'll host Shrewsbury Town at Anfield on Sunday.
#4 Tottenham Hotspur (8-time FA Cup winners, 1-time runners-up)
When one mentions major domestic and European honours, Tottenham Hotspur aren't usually among the first names on anybody's lips. They are relatively new entrants to the modern-day 'Big 6'.
Spurs have won two English top-flight titles. However, they have been comparatively more successful in the FA Cup, winning the competition eight times.
Along with their arch-rivals Arsenal, Spurs hold the record for most consecutive wins in FA Cup finals. Both teams have won the last seven finals they have played in - an interesting record for the two bitter rivals to share.
Spurs host Morecambe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday to kick off their FA Cup campaign this season. It will be the first-ever competitive fixture between the two teams.
#3 Chelsea (8-time FA Cup winners, 5-time runners-up)
Eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea are one of the most successful English teams since the turn of the millennium. Russian businessman Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003 and since then, the Blues have turned a corner, tasting success in England and Europe.
The Blues have won most of their honours in the 21st century. The list includes five Premier League titles, two UEFA Europa League titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and five FA Cups.
Chelsea last won the FA Cup in 2018, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the final, courtesy of an Eden Hazard penalty.
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Leicester City in last year's edition of the competition. However, they will look to do one better and win the cup this year. The Blues host Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they kick off their FA Cup campaign.
#2 Manchester United (12-time FA Cup winners, 8-time runners-up)
Manchester United are arguably the most popular English club in world football. Sir Alex Ferguson's 26 years as their manager helped earn the club most of what they boast today. A global fanbase, a pulling power for top talent and a legacy in red & white - United were once kings of England on the pitch, too.
However, since his departure in 2013, the club has struggled to find consistency. United have won 12 FA Cups, five of which came during the Scotsman's tenure.
Since he left, Manchester United have won just one FA Cup - in 2016 - under Dutch manager Louis van Gaal. The Red Devils defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in the final to lift their 12th FA Cup.
Manchester United have been in a slump as well as a trophy drought since their last FA Cup triumph in 2016. They host Aston Villa at Old Trafford in an all-Premier League clash in the third round of the FA Cup on Tuesday to kickoff their campaign.
#1 Arsenal (14-time FA Cup winners, 7-time runners-up)
Arsenal are the most successful team in FA Cup history. By 1991, they had only won six FA Cups compared to their arch-rivals Spurs, who lifted their eighth that season.
However, since then, Arsenal have won eight cups, and have a record 14 FA Cups against their name overall. The credit for overtaking Spurs can go to one man - Arsene Wenger.
The former Arsenal boss holds the record for the most FA Cups (seven) won by a manager. He also holds the record for most FA Cups won with a single club. Between 2014-17, Arsenal won three FA Cups in four years, marking one of their most successful periods in the competition.
Under new boss Mikel Arteta, the Gunners continued their fine run of form in the FA Cup. In only his first six months, Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in style, beating Manchester City in the semi-finals before beating Chelsea in the final in 2020.
The Gunners kick off their 2021-22 FA Cup campaign with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
