VAR in the FA Cup: How it works

In 2018, the old world and the technological age collided in England's most historic cup competition as VAR was employed for the first time in the FA Cup.

The technology has long divided opinion at the elite level and its use in the FA Cup has come under particular scrutiny. Many have argued that its inconsistent implementation has undermined the competition, with the Football Association often left to defend themselves against widespread criticism.

However, changes have been made to the use of VAR for the 2024/25 FA Cup, with alterations made to ensure fairness across the competition.

So, how will VAR be used in this season's FA Cup?

How has VAR been used in the FA Cup previously?

Before changes in 2024/25, VAR has been utilised when and where possible in the FA Cup since the 2017/18 season.

Prior to the semi-finals of the competition, the technology was only used in ties at Premier League home grounds from the third round onwards, where the appropriate equipment was already in place. That often created a competitive imbalance, meaning fixtures within the same round varied in their use of VAR.

Even Championship sides that had previously been relegated from the top flight and had the ability to use VAR technology were not permitted to apply it in the FA Cup.

VAR usage in the semi-finals and final was already a given considering that those fixtures are hosted at the well-equipped Wembley. That means that lower league sides were gifted access to the technology should they reach the final four, as Championship outfit Coventry City did during the 2023/24 campaign.

The English Football League (EFL) has opted against subscribing to VAR in their domestic competitions, believing it to be too expensive for their member clubs to afford. That means that VAR is only installed at clubs that have been in the Premier League since the technology was first introduced.

Understandably, usage of VAR in the FA Cup had come under fire due to its lack of consistent and fair application across the competition, with lower league sides suffering the consequences due to their financial constraints.

How is VAR used in the 2024/25 FA Cup?

Changes have been made to VAR implementation for the 2024/25 campaign and the FA have evidently listened to justifiable past criticism.

From now on, VAR will not be used in the third or fourth round of the competition at any stadium, even Premier League grounds. The technology will be applied from the fifth round onwards and will be utilised in every single tie, no matter the league status of the competing teams.

The FA revealed their decision in mid-December 2024, stating: "VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation. 

"This decision [for 2024/25] ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition."

Of course, there will be plenty who relish the absence of VAR in the earlier rounds of the FA Cup, with the system still attracting consistent criticism across the world. The application of the technology comes under fire on a weekly basis in English football and beyond, with swathes of supporters preferring the game without VAR.

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