Ahead of the First Round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup, The FA has today launched a campaign to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the world’s longest-running knockout football competition.

Projections of key historical moments from the competition displayed up and down the country, highlighting its journeys of hope, opportunity and impacts.

The FA Challenge Cup was established 150 years ago, with the first matches taking place on 11 November 1871 following a proposal by the then Secretary of the Association, Charles W. Alcock, with a vision to bring hope, opportunity and equality to football.

To kick-off the season-long campaign celebrating the competition’s 150th anniversary, The FA has unveiled a film which features two-time winner Ian Wright and showcases how Alcock’s founding values are just as relevant and important today. The film has been released across The Emirates FA Cup’s digital channels and brings to life the rich history and traditions of the competition, while highlighting the impact that it continues to provide at all levels of the football pyramid. No other competition offers amateur or semi-professional players a chance to take on the world’s best and provide a financial and emotional lift to clubs and communities in the process.

Supporting the film will be a series of large-scale image projections up and down the country. Key figures and moments through the years have been displayed on landmarks that best depict the competition’s values alongside scripted lines from the film.

Mark Bullingham, The FA’s CEO, said: "The Emirates FA Cup may be 150 years old but it’s a competition that has never felt more relevant as it continues to lift the clubs, communities and supporters of more than 700 teams that take part each year. The competition has transformed the fortunes of many clubs and individuals over 15 decades and this campaign will highlight some of these life-changing stories.

"Over £25 million in broadcast fees and prize money will be distributed this season, which should help clubs across the country to tackle some of the issues that they face as we move out of the pandemic. We will continue to celebrate the competition throughout its historic season and look forward to seeing clubs across the country create even more memories through to the Final in May."

The Emirates FA Cup continues this weekend with Gloucestershire-based club, Yate Town taking on Yeovil Town (KO 3PM). 

The 150^th anniversary of the competition will continue to be recognised and celebrated by The FA throughout the season, culminating in the Final at Wembley on Saturday 14 May 2022. 

More details about the competition can be found on TheFA.com