The stage is set for a blockbuster FA Youth Cup final, as Manchester City and Manchester United renew their fierce rivalry at City's Joie Stadium. This is only the second time these two academy powerhouses have met in the final—City took the first showdown back in 1986.
For the first time, fans can catch all the action live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, thanks to a new agreement with TNT Sports. You can also follow every kick with BBC Sport's live text coverage.
City are chasing a third consecutive final appearance, having lifted the trophy in 2019-20 with a squad that included now-first-team stars Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. United, meanwhile, are hunting their record-extending 12th Youth Cup crown. Their last triumph came in 2022, when a 67,000-strong crowd at Old Trafford watched Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho—now household names—lead a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
This year's final, however, has been overshadowed by a venue controversy. City opted to host at their 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium instead of the 20,000-seat Etihad, citing construction works. United protested, calling for the match to be moved to a main stadium—even offering Old Trafford—and the FA agreed. But City, as the designated home side, held firm. United sold their allocation of under 1,000 tickets in minutes, while home tickets remain available to City members.
On the pitch, City's free-scoring side have netted 18 goals en route to the final, dispatching Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, and Blackburn. The engine of that attack? Prolific 16-year-old striker Teddie Lamb, who scored in the semi-final and boasts an incredible 28 goals in 26 games this season after joining from Leyton Orient. Keep your eyes on him—and on the next generation of stars ready to write their own chapter in this historic rivalry.
