The upcoming EE Disability FA Cup is shaping up to be a remarkable event, scheduled for June 28 and 29 at the prestigious St. George’s Park. This event showcases six different formats of impairment-specific football, including Amputee, Blind, Cerebral Palsy, Deaf, Partially Sighted, and Powerchair contests. Each final will be streamed live on TNT Sports and discovery+, bringing the excitement of disability football to fans across the country.
St. George’s Park, known for being the home of England’s footballing excellence, will open its doors to fans, offering them an opportunity to witness the thrilling finals firsthand. The atmosphere will be electric as supporters gather to cheer on their favorite teams from the stands. Additionally, for fans who wish to engage in a more hands-on experience, the Experience Area will return in 2025. This dedicated space aims to simulate the various formats of disability football through equipment and adaptations, allowing attendees to gain insight into the unique sports during the finals weekend.
In terms of scheduling, the EE Disability FA Cup will feature an exciting lineup of finals, set to engage audiences and showcase extraordinary talent. The Amputee Cup Final, in collaboration with the England Amputee Football Association, kicks off at 10:00 AM, pitting Chelsea FC Foundation against Everton in the Community on an indoor 3G pitch. Following closely at 10:15 AM is the Cerebral Palsy Cup Final with Cerebral Palsy North West FC facing off against Chelsea FC Foundation, also on the indoor 3G pitch. The Partially Sighted Cup Final, run in partnership with the National Partially Sighted Football League, begins at 12:30 PM, featuring Birmingham Futsal against Merseyside Blind & V.I FC in a lively futsal hall setting.
The Blind Cup Final is set for 3:10 PM, where the Royal National College for the Blind will face West Bromwich Albion Blind FC on a specialized blind pitch in a rematch from last year. On Sunday, the Powerchair Cup Final will showcase last year’s champions, West Bromwich Albion PFC, competing against Aspire PFC in a spirited showdown. The final two matches of the weekend include the Cerebral Palsy Cup Final, where Chelsea FC Foundation aims for victory against Cerebral Palsy North West FC, and the Deaf Cup Final featuring Barnet Deaf FC against St. John’s Deaf FC, promising to be an all-North London affair at 2:20 PM.
Viewers who cannot attend can catch all the action across TNT Sports channels, particularly on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 5. The broadcasts will feature live subtitles and sign language interpretation on TNT Sports 1, while TNT Sports 5 offers audio-described match commentary. TNT Sports provides a comprehensive viewing experience across major television platforms, allowing fans to subscribe via various service providers, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To ensure fair and inclusive competition, the EE Disability FA Cup adheres to specific rules and regulations tailored to each format. Amputee football allows any player with an amputation or limb deficiency to participate, with matches consisting of two 25-minute halves played on artificial turf, while following distinctive rules such as the prohibition of offside and specific handling guidelines regarding crutches.
Similarly, partially sighted football accommodates players with varying degrees of visual impairment, using a contrasting ball and set regulations to maintain a level playing field. Unique adaptations are evident in blind football, where players wear eyepatches and eye masks to mitigate advantages while using sound-enhanced balls for guidance. Cerebral Palsy football emphasizes inclusivity for ambulant players, enabling those with physical impairments to compete while implementing flexible rules surrounding positioning and passes.
As the event approaches, the governing body of football in England, England Football, has launched a new initiative called “Football Without Limits,” aiming to enhance participation in disability football by over a third over the next four years. For those eager to get involved or to learn more about disability football opportunities in their areas, further information can be accessed through their official channels.
This year’s EE Disability FA Cup promises to be a momentous occasion, showcasing the skill, resilience, and camaraderie of athletes within the disability sports community, reinforcing the importance of inclusion in football at all levels.
