Wembley Way will be painted blue on Sunday as Brighton and Manchester City meet in the final of the Women’s FA Cup.
Man City are hunting a domestic double after winning the Women’s Super League title for the first time in a decade and ending Chelsea’s top-flight dominance under summer 2025 appointment Andrée Jeglertz.
The three-time winners reached their fifth final courtesy of a dramatic extra-time victory over Chelsea, while Brighton punched their ticket for Wembley with a dramatic comeback win against Liverpool in the semis.
The Seagulls are now 90 minutes from their maiden major trophy but will need to draw on the magic of the FA Cup if they are to down the best team in the land in their first final.
UK viewers can tune in to coverage from 2:15pm (3pm kick-off) on Channel 4 on Sunday, with Lionesses legend Jill Scott and women’s football super fan Maisie Adam leading the coverage on free-to-air TV, as they have throughout this year’s competition.
There is also coverage on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 2pm.
“Me and Maisie have loved following the FA Cup games and watching the route that these two teams have taken to the finals, which we are really excited for,” Scott, who won the FA Cup three times with Man City as a player, told Radio Times.
“I think it’ll be like a really, really special day,” said Adam. “And as Jill says, it’s been so amazing to be part of the journey, following what these teams have done. It’s great to have a team like Man City, who have been there, done that and lifted silverware this season, while also having a team like Brighton, for whom this is a new experience. It’s really, really exciting. Two different experiences on Sunday and cool to be documenting it.”
The pair were brought in to front Channel 4’s coverage to give “energy and authenticity to the tournament” – and have relished being able to take women’s football to wider audiences.
“I think that’s what’s been so lovely for us,” explained Adam. “Obviously, Jill’s been there and done that as a player, and I’m an absolutely massive women’s football fan.
“There’s so many people now, with the way the game has grown, particularly in the last five years, who are enjoying women’s football for the for the first time or I’ve only just got into it in the last few years so I think it’s really important that you have two presenters who bring a mixture of both first-hand experience, like Jill, and the voice of the fan watching at home, absolutely soaking up in the atmosphere and everything to be excited about.”
Scott added: “We’ve loved that Channel 4 kind of give us freedom with it as well. I’ve always said that when I played, I liked having fun but when it’s time to perform, you perform. I think we’ve brought like a lot of fun with it, but then also we’ve got the serious analysis as well. Fearn Whelan has been absolutely incredible. We’ve just really enjoyed it, and I think that’s what FA Cup finals should be all about.”
It’s set to be a thrilling final and a fitting end to a brilliant 2025/26 domestic women’s season but how will things play out? Radio Times brings you predictions from Jill Scott and Maisie Adam ahead of the Women’s FA Cup final 2026 between Brighton and Man City.
Women’s FA Cup final 2026: Brighton v Man City predictions
Maisie Adam
“The exciting thing is that we’ve already seen Brighton cause an upset in the WSL this season. It is this David and Goliath game in many ways but it’s also not a foregone conclusion and I think the magic of the FA Cup, in particular, compared to say any other tournament, is that anything can happen.
“We know that Brighton have done it, so there’s no reason why they can’t do it again. I think there’ll be a lot of Brighton fans who are hoping Man City have been celebrating a bit too hard. Jill’s still got her Man City shirt on but I’m a dreamer. I want a novelty win. I’m excited to see Brighton. I reckon they’ve done it once, they’ll do it again. I’m backing Brighton.
“Fran Kirby has been so integral to the success of Brighton, so has Kiko Seike, but Fran Kirby loves Wembley. Maybe we’ll see a lifetime performance on Sunday.”
Scoreline: 2-1 Brighton win
Player of the match: Fran Kirby
Jill Scott
“I’m really looking forward to it. Previously, I’ve been involved as a player and the crowds are just magnificent. A day out at Wembley, and I think just for the Man City and the Brighton fans, it’s going to be a great day.
“I think Maisie is completely right, in a one-off game, anything can happen, but I just think I can’t see past Man City winning this. Bunny Shaw up front, Lauren Hemp and the experience of players like Alex Greenwood.
“Bunny Shaw will definitely get a goal. She loves the big occasion, as we saw in the semi-final. If it wasn’t for that last-minute strike and her goal in extra-time, then Man City wouldn’t be here.”
Scoreline: 2-0 Man City win
Player of the match: Bunny Shaw
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