FA Cup Anthem Plan Raises Eyebrows as FA Chase ‘Modern’ Rebrand

The FA Cup may soon have its own Champions League-style anthem, but not everyone is convinced that the world’s oldest cup competition needs a musical makeover.

The Football Association are exploring the idea of introducing a bespoke anthem for both the men’s and women’s FA Cups, designed to play during pre-match handshakes from the early rounds through to the Wembley final.

The aim, according to the FA, is to keep the tournament “fresh and modern”.

However, does that sort of miss the point of what makes the FA Cup special in the first place?

FA Cup anthem plans explained

The FA have commissioned a company within the Universal Music Group to develop two separate anthems: one for the men’s competition and one for the women’s.

The song would be played during player handshakes before matches, including ties involving non-league clubs in the early rounds.

It would also form part of domestic and international television coverage, becoming a consistent audio identity for the tournament.

It should be noted that the FA have stressed that the new anthem would not replace Abide With Me, the hymn traditionally sung before the FA Cup final at Wembley, nor would it interfere with club-specific walk-on music.

An FA spokeswoman confirmed that work is ongoing and that further updates are expected in the coming months.

Sample music will be shared with fan groups before anything is signed off.

Why the FA wants “sonic branding”

Behind the move is a marketing concept known as “sonic branding”, the idea that a recognisable piece of music can instantly link audiences to a competition or product.

UEFA’s Champions League anthem is the obvious reference point. It has become globally recognised and the FA are pointing to that as an example of how music can heighten atmosphere.

Celtic Park and Villa Park in particular were singled out for the reaction when the anthem returned after long European absences.

The Premier League already uses its own theme during pre-match handshakes, while Formula 1’s orchestral theme, introduced in 2018, has also been held up as a success story.

The FA plan to appoint a British composer, with orchestral elements expected to feature heavily.

Does the FA Cup really need to copy the Champions League?

The problem is that the FA Cup has never needed to be slick. The charm of the FA Cup has never been built on neat presentation or global branding.

Its magic lies in muddy pitches, replays under floodlights – another aspect abolished in recent years – and the sense that anything can happen.

Adding an anthem and trying to mirror the Champions League makes it feel like it’s trying too hard. As Sean Dyche would put it: Utter Woke Nonsense.

The FA insists the anthem would take time to grow on fans, but as we all know, football fans are notoriously allergic to top-down tinkering.

History suggests that if the anthem lands as “marketing noise”, it will be endured at best and ridiculed at worst.

Whether it does become something fans welcome and accept or a mildly embarrassing footnote in a 150-year-old story depends on its execution.

But does the FA Cup really need to sound like anything other than itself?