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Arsenal 2-0 City
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Arsenal defeat Chelsea by 2-1 to win the FA Cup (2020)
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FT: Manchester United 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea advance to the Final to play Arsenal at Wembley on August 1st.
Chelsea advance to the Final to play Arsenal at Wembley on August 1st.
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Arsenal and Chelsea will contest Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley - led out by two of the new generation of managers.
Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta, who will be 38 years 128 days on the day of the final, and Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard, at 42 years 42 days, are the two youngest Premier League bosses.
And both have a major trophy in their sights at the end of the first season at their respective clubs, in the surreal surroundings of the first behind-closed-doors FA Cup final.
Impressive game management and intelligence has already characterised both men.
Both have shown the tactical flexibility and swift learning to even outmanoeuvre their mentors and two managerial masters this season.
Arteta learned from a heavy 3-0 loss at Manchester City to turn the tables on Pep Guardiola, the manager he left behind to take over at Arsenal in December, to reach Saturday's showpiece with an outstanding 2-0 win at Wembley.
Pat Nevin, who has observed both managers closely as a BBC pundit, said: "I like to be surprised by a manager.
"Frank has done surprising things such as out-thinking Jose Mourinho home and away, going for a 3-4-3 against Spurs in December which Chelsea hadn't used since Antonio Conte.
"A game that jumped out was when they went down 3-0 at Sheffield United. It may not have worked but he tried an incredible amount of changes in that game. He is courageous tactically."
Arteta, who is winning plaudits with Arsenal's intense, attacking style, has also impressed Nevin.
Nevin said: "He has a brilliant player in Kieran Tierney and he has worked out he has got a left centre-half who can play left-back or left wing-back.
"And of course we have David Luiz. I saw him have the stinker of all stinkers at Manchester City in that first game after the break and yet Arteta kept faith, delivered the system that suits him best and we have seen how good he can be.
"He needs to have two players either side of him, exactly what Antonio Conte did when he brought him back to Chelsea and they won the title, and you saw what he can do in that semi-final."
Arsenal's two landmark performances under Arteta have been victories inside four days against Premier League champions Liverpool and then the FA Cup semi-final triumph.
They were wins based on qualities Arsenal's critics have always accused them of lacking - grit, character and a fearless they-shall-not pass defensive resilience. They were fully committed for their manager.
Arsenal had 31% possession against Liverpool and 35% against Manchester City.
Liverpool are regarded as the benchmark for work-rate and immense physical commitment and yet Arteta's side out-ran them 112.1km to 108.1km.
How Chelsea reached the FA Cup final
Opponents Round Result
5 Jan: Nottm F (h) 3 2-0
25 Jan: Hull (a) 4 2-1
3 Mar: Liverpool (h) 5 2-0
28 June: Leicester (a) 6 1-0
19 July: Man Utd
S-F 3-1
Nevin added: "Arteta has got into the heads of these players. You can see the way they work for him. You don't win games like that unless you are fighting for the shirt."
And at the heart of it all is the much-lampooned Luiz, who was the outstanding player against Man City at Wembley to set up Saturday's final.
Nevin said: "There were a few saying he would never play for Arsenal again after that City game but Arteta found a way he could fit in and didn't just give up on him."
He is equally impressed with Lampard, saying: "Frank's man-management has been brilliant. Olivier Giroud did not start for a long time and there was talk he would leave. He is suddenly playing, in great nick and desperate to do well for the team, same with Marcos Alonso.
"When Pedro leaves Chelsea it will be with a smile on his face because Frank was utterly straight with him, which is what players respect, even if some may not like it. If you are straight, players will fight for you."
Neither Arteta or Lampard would have had the careers they enjoyed without possessing steel and a ruthless streak.
It has been in evidence at Arsenal and Chelsea.
How Arsenal reached the FA Cup final
Opponents Round Result
6 Jan: Leeds (h) 3 1-0
27 Jan: Bournemouth (a) 4 2-1
2 Mar: Portsmouth (a) 5 2-0
28 June: Sheff Utd (a) 6 2-1
18 July: Man City S-F 2-0
Arteta's refusal to pander to the whims of Mesut Ozil saw him excluded from a list of nine substitutes for the FA Cup semi-final while Matteo Guendouzi's Arsenal career looks over (or at least in need of unlikely resurrection) after his ill-disciplined display during and after the late loss to Brighton.
Lampard's cold steel has been shown in his handling of £71m goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was dropped for Chelsea's crucial final game of the season against Wolves.
Kepa may have been the safer choice but Lampard's cold-headed decision-making reaped the reward with a 2-0 win and that all-important top four place.
It is also another sign that the FA Cup final will be contested by two of the new managerial generation who show signs of being around for the long haul.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53593395
Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta, who will be 38 years 128 days on the day of the final, and Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard, at 42 years 42 days, are the two youngest Premier League bosses.
And both have a major trophy in their sights at the end of the first season at their respective clubs, in the surreal surroundings of the first behind-closed-doors FA Cup final.
Impressive game management and intelligence has already characterised both men.
Both have shown the tactical flexibility and swift learning to even outmanoeuvre their mentors and two managerial masters this season.
Arteta learned from a heavy 3-0 loss at Manchester City to turn the tables on Pep Guardiola, the manager he left behind to take over at Arsenal in December, to reach Saturday's showpiece with an outstanding 2-0 win at Wembley.
Pat Nevin, who has observed both managers closely as a BBC pundit, said: "I like to be surprised by a manager.
"Frank has done surprising things such as out-thinking Jose Mourinho home and away, going for a 3-4-3 against Spurs in December which Chelsea hadn't used since Antonio Conte.
"A game that jumped out was when they went down 3-0 at Sheffield United. It may not have worked but he tried an incredible amount of changes in that game. He is courageous tactically."
Arteta, who is winning plaudits with Arsenal's intense, attacking style, has also impressed Nevin.
Nevin said: "He has a brilliant player in Kieran Tierney and he has worked out he has got a left centre-half who can play left-back or left wing-back.
"And of course we have David Luiz. I saw him have the stinker of all stinkers at Manchester City in that first game after the break and yet Arteta kept faith, delivered the system that suits him best and we have seen how good he can be.
"He needs to have two players either side of him, exactly what Antonio Conte did when he brought him back to Chelsea and they won the title, and you saw what he can do in that semi-final."
Arsenal's two landmark performances under Arteta have been victories inside four days against Premier League champions Liverpool and then the FA Cup semi-final triumph.
They were wins based on qualities Arsenal's critics have always accused them of lacking - grit, character and a fearless they-shall-not pass defensive resilience. They were fully committed for their manager.
Arsenal had 31% possession against Liverpool and 35% against Manchester City.
Liverpool are regarded as the benchmark for work-rate and immense physical commitment and yet Arteta's side out-ran them 112.1km to 108.1km.
How Chelsea reached the FA Cup final
Opponents Round Result
5 Jan: Nottm F (h) 3 2-0
25 Jan: Hull (a) 4 2-1
3 Mar: Liverpool (h) 5 2-0
28 June: Leicester (a) 6 1-0
19 July: Man Utd
S-F 3-1Nevin added: "Arteta has got into the heads of these players. You can see the way they work for him. You don't win games like that unless you are fighting for the shirt."
And at the heart of it all is the much-lampooned Luiz, who was the outstanding player against Man City at Wembley to set up Saturday's final.
Nevin said: "There were a few saying he would never play for Arsenal again after that City game but Arteta found a way he could fit in and didn't just give up on him."
He is equally impressed with Lampard, saying: "Frank's man-management has been brilliant. Olivier Giroud did not start for a long time and there was talk he would leave. He is suddenly playing, in great nick and desperate to do well for the team, same with Marcos Alonso.
"When Pedro leaves Chelsea it will be with a smile on his face because Frank was utterly straight with him, which is what players respect, even if some may not like it. If you are straight, players will fight for you."
Neither Arteta or Lampard would have had the careers they enjoyed without possessing steel and a ruthless streak.
It has been in evidence at Arsenal and Chelsea.
How Arsenal reached the FA Cup final
Opponents Round Result
6 Jan: Leeds (h) 3 1-0
27 Jan: Bournemouth (a) 4 2-1
2 Mar: Portsmouth (a) 5 2-0
28 June: Sheff Utd (a) 6 2-1
18 July: Man City
S-F 2-0Arteta's refusal to pander to the whims of Mesut Ozil saw him excluded from a list of nine substitutes for the FA Cup semi-final while Matteo Guendouzi's Arsenal career looks over (or at least in need of unlikely resurrection) after his ill-disciplined display during and after the late loss to Brighton.
Lampard's cold steel has been shown in his handling of £71m goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was dropped for Chelsea's crucial final game of the season against Wolves.
Kepa may have been the safer choice but Lampard's cold-headed decision-making reaped the reward with a 2-0 win and that all-important top four place.
It is also another sign that the FA Cup final will be contested by two of the new managerial generation who show signs of being around for the long haul.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53593395
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Arsenal are excited about Saturday's Heads Up FA Cup final against Chelsea because the players want to "save our season", says Alexandre Lacazette.
The Gunners, who have won a record 13 FA Cups, finished eighth in the Premier League and will not qualify for the Europa League if they lose at Wembley.
"We missed a few of our targets," said France striker Lacazette, 29.
Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Chelsea's Frank Lampard are both aiming to win first trophies as managers.
Lacazette added: "It's been a weird year. We had the long stop, we changed manager [Arteta replaced Unai Emery in December], had different players.
"It was a difficult season, maybe the most difficult in my career, but I know I learned a lot. The FA Cup means a lot. I came to Arsenal to win trophies."
Meanwhile, Blues boss Lampard has backed winger Willian to produce another "fantastic" performance in the final game before the Brazilian's deal runs out.
"He's been fantastic for us. He's been fantastic this season - he's shown the right attitude," said Lampard.
"So I would expect nothing less than he's shown already, and that's Willian for you."
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin missed the win over Watford as a precaution with a tight calf but has been back in training this week.
Cedric Soares is cup-tied, while Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel Martinelli remain out.
Influential Chelsea pair N'Golo Kante and Willian are both in the squad after injuries.
However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek sustained a minor injury in training on Thursday and has been ruled out.
A crowdless Wembley for the semi-finals was an eerie enough experience, but for nobody to be there for our game's annual showpiece occasion? That's a whole new level.
The FA have done their best to ensure it still stands out as special, from the singing of Abide With Me (pre-recorded by Emeli Sande from the stadium roof) to a modified trophy and medal presentation, but it's inevitable that the day just won't have the same joy and excitement.
At least we can expect some from the game, a relatively evenly matched one between clubs who served up a truly entertaining final just three years ago.
It certainly ought to be closer than last year's season-ending Europa League final for both, with Arsenal undoubtedly improving under Mikel Arteta - bidding to follow George Graham in playing for and managing a Gunners cup-winning side.
Frank Lampard could be the third to do that for Chelsea (after Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Di Matteo), with the chance to put a trophy-winning seal on a first season in charge that has surpassed realistic expectations.
Let's hope the contest does too, to end the longest, strangest domestic season with at least some sort of smile.
To borrow a line from Abide With Me's final verse - "Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies".
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Unlike last year's final between Manchester City and Watford, this game is very hard to call.
For starters, it is going to be a very different sort of occasion. We know now that football behind closed doors is strange, but this is going to be the strangest game yet.
It's an FA Cup final, and a derby game too, but it doesn't really feel like that. Fans are an intrinsic part of football regardless, but that is even more the case for the moments when you win things. Without them at Wembley, it just won't be the same.
I am still expecting a good game, though, and it is Arsenal who I think will edge it.
That's not to say Chelsea are not dangerous too. I just feel like Arsenal have got more momentum and confidence at the moment, but otherwise it is difficult to split the two sides.
Prediction: 1-0
Lawro's predictions v Josh Franceschi and Willie J Healey
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Arsenal have won both of their previous FA Cup finals against Chelsea: 2-0 in 2002 and 2-1 in 2017.
However, Chelsea have won their other two meetings in major finals, by 2-1 in the 2007 League Cup and 4-1 in last year's Europa League showpiece.
Chelsea's only win in their past nine FA Cup clashes with the Gunners came in the 2009 semi-final.
Arsenal
Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final a record 21 times and have also won the competition 13 times - more than any other side. They have featured in 15% of all FA Cup finals.
The Gunners have not lost an FA Cup final at Wembley since a 1-0 defeat by West Ham in 1980.
Arsenal finished outside the Premier League's top six this season for the first time in 25 years.
They've failed to score in only one of their past 31 FA Cup matches.
Chelsea
This is Chelsea's 14th FA Cup final; only Arsenal (21) and Manchester United (20) have reached more.
They have lost only one of their past 15 FA Cup matches.
Since his FA Cup debut in 2013, Olivier Giroud has scored 16 goals in the competition - second only to Manchester City's Sergio Aguero.
The Frenchman is aiming to become just the second player to score for and against a specific side (Arsenal) in separate FA Cup finals. Frank Stapleton netted for Arsenal against Manchester United in the 1979 final, and then for the Red Devils in the 1983 final versus Brighton.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53546100
The Gunners, who have won a record 13 FA Cups, finished eighth in the Premier League and will not qualify for the Europa League if they lose at Wembley.
"We missed a few of our targets," said France striker Lacazette, 29.
Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Chelsea's Frank Lampard are both aiming to win first trophies as managers.
Lacazette added: "It's been a weird year. We had the long stop, we changed manager [Arteta replaced Unai Emery in December], had different players.
"It was a difficult season, maybe the most difficult in my career, but I know I learned a lot. The FA Cup means a lot. I came to Arsenal to win trophies."
Meanwhile, Blues boss Lampard has backed winger Willian to produce another "fantastic" performance in the final game before the Brazilian's deal runs out.
"He's been fantastic for us. He's been fantastic this season - he's shown the right attitude," said Lampard.
"So I would expect nothing less than he's shown already, and that's Willian for you."
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin missed the win over Watford as a precaution with a tight calf but has been back in training this week.
Cedric Soares is cup-tied, while Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel Martinelli remain out.
Influential Chelsea pair N'Golo Kante and Willian are both in the squad after injuries.
However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek sustained a minor injury in training on Thursday and has been ruled out.
A crowdless Wembley for the semi-finals was an eerie enough experience, but for nobody to be there for our game's annual showpiece occasion? That's a whole new level.
The FA have done their best to ensure it still stands out as special, from the singing of Abide With Me (pre-recorded by Emeli Sande from the stadium roof) to a modified trophy and medal presentation, but it's inevitable that the day just won't have the same joy and excitement.
At least we can expect some from the game, a relatively evenly matched one between clubs who served up a truly entertaining final just three years ago.
It certainly ought to be closer than last year's season-ending Europa League final for both, with Arsenal undoubtedly improving under Mikel Arteta - bidding to follow George Graham in playing for and managing a Gunners cup-winning side.
Frank Lampard could be the third to do that for Chelsea (after Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Di Matteo), with the chance to put a trophy-winning seal on a first season in charge that has surpassed realistic expectations.
Let's hope the contest does too, to end the longest, strangest domestic season with at least some sort of smile.
To borrow a line from Abide With Me's final verse - "Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies".
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Unlike last year's final between Manchester City and Watford, this game is very hard to call.
For starters, it is going to be a very different sort of occasion. We know now that football behind closed doors is strange, but this is going to be the strangest game yet.
It's an FA Cup final, and a derby game too, but it doesn't really feel like that. Fans are an intrinsic part of football regardless, but that is even more the case for the moments when you win things. Without them at Wembley, it just won't be the same.
I am still expecting a good game, though, and it is Arsenal who I think will edge it.
That's not to say Chelsea are not dangerous too. I just feel like Arsenal have got more momentum and confidence at the moment, but otherwise it is difficult to split the two sides.
Prediction: 1-0
Lawro's predictions v Josh Franceschi and Willie J Healey
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Arsenal have won both of their previous FA Cup finals against Chelsea: 2-0 in 2002 and 2-1 in 2017.
However, Chelsea have won their other two meetings in major finals, by 2-1 in the 2007 League Cup and 4-1 in last year's Europa League showpiece.
Chelsea's only win in their past nine FA Cup clashes with the Gunners came in the 2009 semi-final.
Arsenal
Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final a record 21 times and have also won the competition 13 times - more than any other side. They have featured in 15% of all FA Cup finals.
The Gunners have not lost an FA Cup final at Wembley since a 1-0 defeat by West Ham in 1980.
Arsenal finished outside the Premier League's top six this season for the first time in 25 years.
They've failed to score in only one of their past 31 FA Cup matches.
Chelsea
This is Chelsea's 14th FA Cup final; only Arsenal (21) and Manchester United (20) have reached more.
They have lost only one of their past 15 FA Cup matches.
Since his FA Cup debut in 2013, Olivier Giroud has scored 16 goals in the competition - second only to Manchester City's Sergio Aguero.
The Frenchman is aiming to become just the second player to score for and against a specific side (Arsenal) in separate FA Cup finals. Frank Stapleton netted for Arsenal against Manchester United in the 1979 final, and then for the Red Devils in the 1983 final versus Brighton.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53546100
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Should be a fantastic final today; 2 terrible defences vs on-form attacks. Won't be boring that's for sure.
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Last edited:
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GOAL - Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea
Christian Pulisic (5 mins)
What a start! Chelsea lead and it's a fine goal. Christian Pulisic takes the ball on in midfield and feeds Mason Mount. He gets into the area and squares it, Olivier Giroud does what Olivier Giroud does best, just helps it on around the corner first time and Pulisic had carried on his run and dinks it into the back of the net.
Christian Pulisic (5 mins)
What a start! Chelsea lead and it's a fine goal. Christian Pulisic takes the ball on in midfield and feeds Mason Mount. He gets into the area and squares it, Olivier Giroud does what Olivier Giroud does best, just helps it on around the corner first time and Pulisic had carried on his run and dinks it into the back of the net.
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GOAL - Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Pen)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Pen)
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HALF-TIME
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
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Nicolas Pepe picks Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out and he's onside. Look at that dink... He's a world class footballer. We have seen how important it is today for Arsenal to keep him. It's a beautiful, beautiful finish.
GOAL - Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
GOAL - Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
PetroDollars
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Terrible refereeing
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FULL-TIME
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal win the FA Cup for the 14th time!
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal win the FA Cup for the 14th time!
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Arsenal's talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang worked his Wembley magic once again as they came from behind to beat Chelsea and win the Heads Up FA Cup for a record 14th time.
Chelsea took the lead inside five minutes through Christian Pulisic's smart finish but then fell victim to the brilliance of Aubameyang, who was also Arsenal's hero when he scored twice in the semi-final win over Manchester City.
The Gabon forward drew Arsenal level from the penalty spot before the break after he was fouled by Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, then produced a moment of world-class finishing to make the defining contribution to the first behind-closed-doors FA Cup final.
Chelsea were hampered by a first-half injury to Azpilicueta and were struggling even further when they lost the outstanding Pulisic to a hamstring problem after the break.
As the Blues battled to overcome those setbacks, the brilliant Aubameyang was able to give Mikel Arteta silverware in his first season as the Gunners' manager.
Aubameyang, who Arsenal are understandably desperate to secure on a new long-term contract, turned Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma inside out in the 67th minute before delivering the most audacious finish, chipping over keeper Willy Caballero from an angle.
Chelsea's agony increased further when Matteo Kovacic was very harshly sent off for a second yellow card, awarded by referee Anthony Taylor for the most innocuous of challenges on Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal closed out the win to secure a place in the Europa League next season but it was bitter disappointment for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard at the conclusion of his first campaign in charge.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53546100
Chelsea took the lead inside five minutes through Christian Pulisic's smart finish but then fell victim to the brilliance of Aubameyang, who was also Arsenal's hero when he scored twice in the semi-final win over Manchester City.
The Gabon forward drew Arsenal level from the penalty spot before the break after he was fouled by Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, then produced a moment of world-class finishing to make the defining contribution to the first behind-closed-doors FA Cup final.
Chelsea were hampered by a first-half injury to Azpilicueta and were struggling even further when they lost the outstanding Pulisic to a hamstring problem after the break.
As the Blues battled to overcome those setbacks, the brilliant Aubameyang was able to give Mikel Arteta silverware in his first season as the Gunners' manager.
Aubameyang, who Arsenal are understandably desperate to secure on a new long-term contract, turned Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma inside out in the 67th minute before delivering the most audacious finish, chipping over keeper Willy Caballero from an angle.
Chelsea's agony increased further when Matteo Kovacic was very harshly sent off for a second yellow card, awarded by referee Anthony Taylor for the most innocuous of challenges on Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal closed out the win to secure a place in the Europa League next season but it was bitter disappointment for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard at the conclusion of his first campaign in charge.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53546100
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Congratulations, Arsenal. They have gone through some bad times and it is good to see them winning something finally.
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FA Cup replays scrapped for 2020-21 season and Carabao Cup semi-finals reduced to one leg
There will be no FA Cup replays during the 2020-21 season to "ease pressure" on the football calendar.
The competition will start with the extra preliminary around on 1 September and the final is due to be played at Wembley Stadium on 15 May 2021.
It has also been announced the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be one-legged.
The first round is scheduled for 5 September, while the next three rounds will be played on consecutive midweek dates from 15-16 September.
Fixtures for the 2020-21 English Football League (EFL) season will be released on 21 August with the Championship, League One and League Two all scheduled to start on 12 September.
BBC Sport understands Premier League fixtures will be announced next week.
FA Cup prize money has been halved from 2019-20 because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The winners will receive £1.8m, down from £3.6m last season, in line with the 2017-18 campaign.
The draws for the FA Cup extra preliminary and preliminary rounds, and the EFL Cup first round, will be made on 18 August.
The EFL Cup final will take place at Wembley on 28 February 2021.
The EFL Trophy will start on 8-9 September with the Wembley final on 14 March.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53765807
There will be no FA Cup replays during the 2020-21 season to "ease pressure" on the football calendar.
The competition will start with the extra preliminary around on 1 September and the final is due to be played at Wembley Stadium on 15 May 2021.
It has also been announced the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be one-legged.
The first round is scheduled for 5 September, while the next three rounds will be played on consecutive midweek dates from 15-16 September.
Fixtures for the 2020-21 English Football League (EFL) season will be released on 21 August with the Championship, League One and League Two all scheduled to start on 12 September.
BBC Sport understands Premier League fixtures will be announced next week.
FA Cup prize money has been halved from 2019-20 because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The winners will receive £1.8m, down from £3.6m last season, in line with the 2017-18 campaign.
The draws for the FA Cup extra preliminary and preliminary rounds, and the EFL Cup first round, will be made on 18 August.
The EFL Cup final will take place at Wembley on 28 February 2021.
The EFL Trophy will start on 8-9 September with the Wembley final on 14 March.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53765807
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