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Original poster

Has anyone been to an FA a cup final before?

37 replies

ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 19:17

Just wondering what it was like being there. Especially if you went with a child. Would you go again (with the right teams) or is it just so much easier watching on telly?

I think I have the opportunity to take DS8 this year. He supports one of he teams. But I’m a bit worried it might all be a bit much for a child. If everyone stands of it fairly hard to see? We've been to a few matches before but never Wembley.

Thanks.

OP posts:
PurpleFlower1983 · 24/04/2023 19:21

Loads of families go and have a great time! I would absolutely take him!

Mouthfulofquiz · 24/04/2023 19:23

Wembley is fine for kids - at the end of the day it’s only a normal stadium but scaled up! Loads of facilities and hopefully a great atmosphere for you.
I took all of my kids there not all that long ago and they loved it.

ExtremelyDetermined · 24/04/2023 19:26

I went with a big group including children to a different final a few years ago and it was absolutely fine, I have also been to several finals and semis in a group of adults and those have all been great too. Do it!

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Original poster
ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 19:49

Brilliant. Thanks. Sounds like it should be totally fine then.
Not really sure what my concerns were. Probably just the sheer amount of people and all that entails. He knows (but doesn’t yet sing) most of the sweary chants. I think it’ll probably be exhausting (for me?!) but we’ve got somewhere we can stay in London which might make it a bit easier.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 24/04/2023 19:53

Get into the stadium as early as possible. We had to leave it to 10 minutes before kick off due to losing some members of our group and there wash a crush to get through the gates I wouldn't have liked to have a small child in that crush.

Hellocatshome · 24/04/2023 19:54

was a crush not "wash a crush"

chutneysauce · 24/04/2023 19:58

Yes I've been to the 1992 final as a kid watching my dad's team vs my team. I loved it!

Been to Wembley loads since, even played a tournament on the pitch once.

Not such a big fan of Wembley anymore, it's a hassle to get to for me and I'm not a fan of big crowds and everyone pouring onto the tube.

Ohheyitsme1 · 24/04/2023 20:00

Never been to an FA cup final but been to a million football matches in a stadium of similar size to Wembley. People standing isn’t much of an issue as the seating is on a gradual incline so the rows in front of you are lower down.

If you go, maybe consider these tips:

  • The turnstiles will open about 90 mins before kick off. Get in early as it’ll be rammed closer to kick off. Let’s you find your seat without a queue of people on the stairs behind you and gives your kid more time to take in the enormity of the stadium.
  • Have your phones fully charged. Maybe one of those charge booster things too, so you can take plenty of videos and photos.
  • The 4G/5G signal is probably rubbish.
  • At full time don’t be in a hurry to get out. The stairs will get really busy and it’s like a bottle neck at times. Would maybe be a bit scary for a kid surrounded by big guys. Take your time coming out and you’ll miss the bulk of the crowds.
  • Toilet queues are long so get him to go before the game and hopefully not at half time.
  • Ditto for food queues.
  • There will be bad language. Players will be wankers, people will be told to fuck off, the referee will be fucking blind. Someone might even be a stupid cunt.
  • People do get overexcited and drinks can be thrown when a goal goes in, so don’t wear designer clothes.
  • Comfy shoes - be prepared for walking.
  • There’ll be guys outside the stadium selling scarves, flags etc. Be prepared with cash.

Football as a kid are some of my best memories. Definitely take him if you have the chance!

Hellocatshome · 24/04/2023 20:03

Oh don't forget to check the bag sizes you are allowed to take in, when we went it was no bags bigger than the size of an A4 bit of paper (exact measurements are on Wembley's website)

Onthegrid · 24/04/2023 20:07

I’ve been to an FA Cup Final and a semi both at old Wembley. For the final I was only 12 and sat/stood on my own as Dad got 2 tickets in adjacent blocks. I have to say it was one of the best days of my life. For the semi I was an adult and went with friends. I have also been to loads of regular matches.
DBro has taken my nephews to Wembley for European matches, they were about 8 the first time.

Original poster
ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 20:19

Thank you so much for the tips @Hellocatshome and @Ohheyitsme1 . I’m making a list!

Glad to hear of people loving it as a child themselves and remembering the experience so fondly. This is what I’m hoping for. Although @Onthegrid I don’t think I’ll be letting him sit by himself for a while yet 😬

OP posts:
YetAnotherUser · 24/04/2023 20:21

I've been to a couple of semi finals at Wembley and the charity shield and an England match, with and without kids.

It's a family friendly stadium, definitely no reason not to take a young football fan in my experience.

Ohheyitsme1 · 24/04/2023 20:23

My son is way too young (under 18m) to go to a game but since I was about 15 years old I’ve been waiting to take my own child because I remember that feeling. I’ll be more excited than him when the day comes. 😆
Don’t let this chance slip past, OP!

Fleurty · 24/04/2023 20:25

I was at the semi final yesterday and getting there was fine but getting home wasn't fun It took 1.5 hours of queuing to get from the stadium onto the tube, another hour to get back to the station. We were late anyway as it went to ET and penalties.

Of course TFL and the train companies were running a normal 1 train per hour Sunday service despite the marathon and the match, so we only just made the last train. We were crushed in with hundreds of others, and the train was held at the station 3 times due to different people needing medical assistance (one was a lady in our carriage who passed out). The coach services also took over 4 hours to get back to brighton. We didn't get home until gone 1am when were expecting to be home by 9pm ish.

It's a great experience, but carefully plan how to get home, if there is any way you can get a hotel within walking distance of Wembley I would highly recommend going home the next morning instead!

LittleFreakJezebel · 24/04/2023 20:27

Yes and it was easily one of the best days of my life although that's also because it was HUGE shock for my team to win.

Wembley is always a fab atmosphere and I have never had any safety concerns, it's very family friendly so I think you'll have a fab time.

crossstitchingnana · 24/04/2023 20:30

I went to a FA Cup final at the old Wembley, in the 70s, so standing terraces. I was your son's age. Up there in my top 3 days of my life.

crossstitchingnana · 24/04/2023 20:30

The ticket cost £2:50! 🤣

PickledLillee · 24/04/2023 20:47

ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 19:17

Just wondering what it was like being there. Especially if you went with a child. Would you go again (with the right teams) or is it just so much easier watching on telly?

I think I have the opportunity to take DS8 this year. He supports one of he teams. But I’m a bit worried it might all be a bit much for a child. If everyone stands of it fairly hard to see? We've been to a few matches before but never Wembley.

Thanks.

It can be hard to see in the safe standing areas if you are small. I'd probably avoid those areas with a child unless you're near the front - I was there at weekend and struggled to see with someone stood in front of me.

If you can get tickets, do because he'll love it....and they'll be like gold dust! Also be aware that after the game there may be some pockets of trouble because of the rivalry but it is very well policed.

Original poster
ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 20:55

Ok I’m totally convinced now! And excited. Thank you everyone.

Although @Fleurty that journey back sounds horrendous! I’ll definitely look into hotels near by.

OP posts:
Original poster
ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 20:58

I didn’t realise they had safe standing areas at Wembley @PickledLillee . I’ll definitely avoid those. Thanks.

OP posts:
Hellohah · 24/04/2023 20:59

ItsAsIfWeWereThere · 24/04/2023 20:58

I didn’t realise they had safe standing areas at Wembley @PickledLillee . I’ll definitely avoid those. Thanks.

How are you getting your tickets? As a neutral?

TearsforBeers · 24/04/2023 21:03

DH took our 8 year old to one of the semi finals and he loved it.
They're off to the final too and can't wait.

starrynight19 · 24/04/2023 21:04

I would be very mindful of the hostility that will be amongst the fans at this game. I’m an avid supporter of one of the clubs and went to the game this weekend.
The Derby at home in Manchester is always very lively.
I would try and go on a coach and then straight into the Fanzone if I had a child.
Otherwise there is a lot of mixing of fans travelling in and out of the stadium on the trains and tubes which will be hotspots.
Once in the ground it’s fine for families.

blackheartsgirl · 24/04/2023 21:07

Yes take him, I went last year with my 2 girls, it was fantastic. Loads of families there.

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 24/04/2023 21:21

I went to an FA Cup semi final at Old Wembley as a child and it's an amazing memory but I would be quite frankly terrified taking my 8 year if it was still round plastic stools & fences.
However I've been to new Wembley for Charity Shield/England loads of times and took my 12 & 8 year olds 2 weeks ago when it was full & it is absolutely fine.

If I could get tickets I would be there like a shot!