- Darren England will referee the FA Cup final
- England’s record when officiating Manchester City games
- Who Darren England supports
Darren England has been named as the referee for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester City’s fixture schedule is packed in May as they are set to play six matches in around three weeks; with their clash against the Blues sandwiched in between games against AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
City will face Chelsea three days after a potentially grueling trip to the Vitality Stadium, and just three days after the FA Cup final, they will remain in London to lock horns with Palace. With Pep Guardiola’s future being uncertain, the Catalan will be desperate to win a cup double if he intends to depart the Etihad Stadium in the summer.
However, Guardiola will also be hoping that the officials have a solid outing and their decisions do not impact his Sky Blues side.
READ MORE: Michael Oliver set to referee fifth Manchester City match this season
Darren England will referee FA Cup final between Chelsea and Man City
Darren England will referee the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City, after having officiated four of their Premier League games this season.
The 40-year-old oversaw City’s outings against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Akil Howson will feature as the assistant referee. Tim Wood will also operate as an assistant while Sam Barrott will act as the fourth official, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Darren England will referee the 2026 Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 29, 2026
This will be his first appointment to referee the FA Cup final, having previously been the fourth official at the 2025 final and an assistant referee at the 2015 final.
Akil Howson is as an assistant…
Furthermore, Peter Bankes will be responsible for VAR duties during the showpiece event, and assisted by Nick Hopton.
Darren England’s record in Man City games
Darren England has refereed 13 games involving Manchester City in his career.
The good news for City fans is that the record is extremely favourable for Pep Guardiola and Co.
| Darren England’s record: Manchester City | Stats |
| Matches | 13 |
| Wins | 11 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
The Sky Blues have 11 while drawing and losing one game apiece when England has been in charge of their games.
The only draw and loss occurred this season. The first came in the second game of City’s season when they lost 2-1 to Brighton and the other game was the 2-2 draw was in March against Nottingham Forest.
Who does Darren England support?
Often, referees come under scrutiny in such high-stakes matches if they made an officiating error, with many questioning whether they have an allegiance with one of the teams involved.
However, it was confirmed in the Barnsley Chronicle that Darren England supports Barnsley and is not allowed to referee their games.
As a result, Manchester City and Chelsea fans have no reason to question England’s allegiances during the contest.
