Birmingham City v Chelsea [Women's FA Cup Final]
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Birmingham City v Chelsea Ladies
Bristol's Ashton Gate stadium to host 2012 FA Women's Cup Final.
The elite of women's football will battle it out on the turf of Bristol City's Ashton Gate in the crunch match on May 26.
The game will form the pinnacle of what will be called Bristol Sports Week – a week of major sporting events in the city, including the annual Bristol 10k race, the London 2012 Olympic torch relay and other events.
The club hopes to attract a sell-out crowd of more than 21,000 to the Gate for the landmark occasion for the city. Even more football fans across the country will watch the game on television, as it is being screened to the nation live on Sky Sports 1.
Guy Price, Bristol City's chief executive, said he was delighted the club was hosting the final.
He said: "We know 2012 will be the nation's year of sport and we want to make sure Bristol is a shining light in the national sports calendar.
"The match will be the pinnacle of a week of sports in Bristol, which also sees the Olympic Torch Relay and Bristol 10k take place. "Hosting the Women's FA Cup Final gives the city a great chance to showcase what sport in Bristol has to offer.
"We want to bring as many people together as possible for this event, ensuring local people and communities play a part in what will be a great week of sport for Bristol.
"We are very proud to be hosting the match and look forward to putting on a fantastic event at Ashton Gate for the final."
Sue Hough, chairwoman of the FA Women's Committee, said: "We are delighted to be taking this year's final to Bristol for the first time.
"Ashton Gate is a fantastic stadium with great facilities and a proven track record in hosting matches with The FA.
"With Bristol being the home of one of our top women's football clubs, Bristol Academy, we are really hoping that fans, families and teams from across the region, and across the country as a whole, will help us make this a truly memorable occasion in the women's football calendar.
"The 2012 final in May will take place during our second season of the Women's Super League, just ahead of the England Senior Women's vital Euro qualifier in June against Holland and then of course, the Olympics in July where Team GB will be represented in the women's football competition for the very first time. 2012 promises to be a fantastic year for the sport."
Bristol City Council's deputy leader Simon Cook said it was "very good news" that the city would be hosting such a "prestigious event in the footballing calendar".
Mr Cook, cabinet member for culture, sport and capital projects said: "Women's football is very popular in the city and region, and supporters will be delighted to know that this event is coming to Bristol.
"This follows the news that the city is to host matches during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, showing we are seen as an important sporting venue for national and international competitions."
Last year, Arsenal beat Bristol Academy 2-0 to lift the trophy for a record 11th time at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry in front of nearly 14,000 fans. It was the Vixens', as they are known, first appearance in the final.
Some 180 teams entered the 2011/12 competition in the first qualifying round in October last year. There were three qualifying rounds before the First Round proper in December. A total of £5,000 is awarded to the winner of the final.
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