The schedule for Saturday’s Heads Up FA Cup Final has been revealed, which will see the world’s oldest domestic cup competition dedicated to the nation’s mental health.
The Final, between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, is the culmination of our season-long Heads Up campaign with Heads Together.
Spearheaded by our president HRH The Duke of Cambridge, Heads Up aims to harness the influence and popularity of football to encourage more people to feel comfortable talking about, and taking action to improve, their mental health.
In recognition of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the fixture - the first FA Cup Final to be held behind-closed-doors – the theme will be the #SoundOfSupport.
While Wembley Stadium will be silent, the conversation around mental health will be louder than ever, and fans will be urged to show the ‘sound of support’ – and to make sure it’s heard by those who need it.
Ahead of kick-off, there will be a powerful 60-second #SoundOfSupport moment dedicated to Heads Up. Unique artificial crowd noise will be played in the stadium, created from a soundscape of real mental health conversations with fans and players. The crowd noise will be introduced to the players and fans by a rallying spoken word piece from poet and mental health champion Hussain Manawer.
Heads Up branding will be prominent around the stadium, including the trophy’s ribbons and a banner across the south side of the stadium urging fans to ‘fill the silence with the #SoundOfSupport’. Both clubs and match officials will show their support with the campaign’s logo on their match kit.
The FA Cup’s historic anthem Abide with Me will be performed by Brit and BET award winning artist Emeli Sandé from the roof of Wembley, with the performance being pre-recorded and played within the stadium bowl and to the global television audience ahead of kick-off.
The performance will be the first in history from the roof of Wembley and Emeli was keen to collaborate with us in order to include her voice in the deconstruction of racism in British communities and football, and to support mental health, which can be negatively impacted by experiences of racism.
Speaking ahead of the performance, Emeli Sandé said: "Only through love, justice and unity will the consequences of hate and separation be healed. Replace racism with justice for everyone."
The national anthem will be performed live within the stadium, led by the British Youth Opera.
There will be no presentation party and the post-match trophy presentation will take place on the pitch.
Writing in his Heads Up FA Cup Final programme notes, chairman Greg Clarke said: “There’s no doubt that the stadium will look and feel very different, the noise, colour and camaraderie will be sorely missed but both clubs will no doubt feel the support of the many millions watching with loved ones from the safety of their own home.
“The Emirates FA Cup embodies football’s ability to unite, empower and uplift and after several difficult months for the country, this season’s final – the 139th in the competition's history - carries more symbolic importance than ever.
“Thanks to the support of our title partner Emirates, the Heads Up FA Cup Final will hopefully encourage the millions around the world watching to stimulate a conversation on mental health.”
And in a foreword for the Heads Up FA Cup Final programme, The Duke of Cambridge said: “Through this beautiful game, we want to encourage everyone to make the sound of their support heard by those who need it. We all have mental health, and we can all do more to support each other – and that starts with talking. I believe more than ever that football can be the catalyst that drives this change and brings us closer together.”
READ THE HEADS UP FA CUP FINAL PROGRAMME
