Why are there black lines on the pitch at Wembley for the Women’s FA Cup final?

FootballSports
31 May 2026 • 10:12 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Why are there black lines on the pitch at Wembley for the Women’s FA Cup final?

The Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City players will have to pay attention at Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup final with extra black lines left on the pitch.

The showpiece clash pits first-time finalists Brighton against WSL winners Manchester City in the conclusion to the women’s domestic season at the home of English football.

It’s staging comes, though, on a busy weekend for the ground, which also hosted the Challenge Cup final in rugby league on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton and Manchester City battle for the FA Cup trophy (Getty)

Wigan Warriors overpowered Hull KR to win the trophy for the 22nd time, but there was not enough time to relay the surface, with the Wembley ground staff forced to make the best of things despite faint advertising markings also being visible.

The Challenge Cup final has traditionally been played at Wembley for nearly 100 years having first been hosted there in 1929. The Women’s FA Cup final, meanwhile, has been held at the north London ground since 2015.

Manchester City last won the tournament in 2020, their third overall.

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