English Schools' Football Association

Sign up for a massive 5-a-side tournament that brings the thrills of the FA Cup to all!

The FA Cup, in partnership with BBC Get Inspired is coming to the people with the launch of a giant new knockout competition which will give up to 14,000 teams and over 100,000 players a chance to taste their own cup-winning success at Wembley.

From Sunday League regulars to those who have only ever kicked a ball in their back yard, the FA People’s Cup offers everyone the opportunity to follow in the path of legends on the road to Cup glory.

The competition is run in partnership between The FA, the BBC Get Inspired initiative and the country’s leading small-sided football providers. Round One takes place over the weekend of February 20-22 and will feature a mammoth 5,000 hours of football played across 550 venues.

The BBC Get Inspired campaign launched online following the 2012 Olympic Games. The website works with sports bodies to encourage audiences to find out more about sports and activities participation.

The FA People’s Cup is completely free to enter and welcomes male, female and disability players across ten categories - ranging from under 14s through to veterans (over 35s). It also features the increasingly popular walking football, which caters to those who enjoy playing the beautiful game at a slightly more sedate, but no less competitive pace.

It is open to both established teams and also individuals who can join ‘wild card’ teams that are formed on the day once they complete their registration at www.bbc.co.uk/getinspired which is live from Wednesday.

The FA People’s Cup will mirror rounds of the FA Cup and like its big brother the BBC will be following the competition every step of the way. BBC cameras will be visiting different venues throughout the competition to capture the action.

The competition will take place over three rounds. The first round will be on the weekend of Feb 20-22 with eight regional venues hosting the semi-finals between April 24-26. Disability

Football Finalists will be decided through a series of Disability Football Festivals taking place in March and April. For details of your local festival email peoplescup@thefa.com stating your postcode.

Highlights of the finals will be available to watch on the BBC Get Inspired website. They will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 25^th May in Manchester, and the winning teams will be invited to the FA Cup Final at Wembley to receive their FA People’s Cup trophy on May 30.

All those interested in participating can register from today at www.bbc.co.uk/getinspired.

For more information, contact Tony Snow at The FA on 07811 824 646, email anthony.snow@thefa.com or Gail Sullivan, BBC Sport on 07714 957 088, email gail.sullivan@bbc.co.uk