The 32nd Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final takes place between Cardiff City and Swansea City at Rodney Parade in Newport on Sunday 19 April (KO: 17:00).
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the final.
Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final
The season so far
Having missed out on the Genero Adran Premier title and Genero Adran Trophy to Wrexham, serial winners Cardiff City find themselves in the rare position of going into the final still looking for their first silverware of the season.
The Bluebirds have failed to win either of their last two games, losing to Wrexham and drawing with The New Saints, despite taking the lead in both matches. Long-serving boss Iain Darbyshire departed for pastures new in Canada after the end of the league campaign, meaning Sunday marks the start of a new era with Noah Bushby at the helm.
Swansea City finished third in the Genero Adran Premier in Yzzy Taylor’s first campaign as permanent boss, bouncing back from the disappointment of missing out on a place in the top half last season.
The Swans earned a much-needed confidence boost on the final day of the league season, triumphing 2-1 against champions Wrexham at The Rock to end a four-match losing streak. It meant that Taylor’s side became the only team to win away at the Red Dragons this term.
Road to the Final
Three-time Bute Energy Welsh Cup winners Cardiff Met were the opponents for Cardiff City at the first stage of the competition, with the Bluebirds earning a 5-0 win. Mackenzie Olden opened the scoring, before second-half goals from Laura Curnock, Lucy Malin, Amy Long and Fiona Barry wrapped up the victory.
A dominant performance against third tier Trefelin saw Cardiff advance again, with Fiona Barry and Maddison Perrott both scoring hat-tricks in a 14-0 win. Goals from defenders proved key for City in the quarter-finals, as Ffion Price and Nieve Jenkins both netted in a 3-0 win against The New Saints, with Laura Curnock also on the scoresheet that day.
Park Avenue would host the semi-final tie between Cardiff City and Wrexham, a repeat of last season’s final, with the Bluebirds coming out on top 2-1 thanks to second-half goals from Mikayla Cook and Megan Bowen.
Swansea City had to overcome Genero Adran Premier opposition in Round One, triumphing 3-1 away at Aberystwyth Town thanks to goals from Aimee Deacon, Maddy Murray and Chloe Chivers. A convincing 10-0 home win against North Wales Coast League side Llanystumdwy, in which eight different players found the net, saw Swansea advance to the quarter-finals.
North would travel South again as Llandudno visited Llandarcy, after a successful run in the competition under Jay Davies. A double from Taite Trivett alongside goals from Jess Williams, Maisie Miller and Maddy Murray helped the Swans to a 6-0 win.
It was six again for The Swans in the semi-finals against Cwmbran Celtic at Jenner Park, another side who had a memorable run in the competition under Georgia Shwartz. Swansea’s quality shone through as braces for Stacey John and Aimee Deacon, alongside a goal each for Taite Trivett and Emily Richards, saw Yzzy Taylor’s side progress to the final.
Bute Energy Welsh Cup record
Cardiff City have won this competition five times in their history, with their first crown coming in 2016 courtesy of a 5-2 victory over Llandudno in the final. The Bluebirds have impressively lifted the trophy in each of the last four seasons, with their last defeat in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup coming in March 2019 against Abergavenny.
Sunday is a chance for Swansea to win the competition for the first time since 2018 when they triumphed 2-1 over Cardiff City in the final, which was also the last time that they reached this stage. The Swans have lifted the trophy three times in total, first doing so in 2011 by beating Caernarfon Town in the final.
Head-to-head
The last six meetings between the two sides in all competitions have gone the way of Cardiff City. Most impressively was a 6-0 win for the Bluebirds in this season’s Genero Adran Trophy Quarter-Finals, while the most recent clash saw Iain Darbyshire’s side triumph 2-1 on home turf in the league.
Swansea’s last victory against their rivals was in October 2024, when a crowd of over 2,000 at the Swansea.com Stadium saw a Stacey John goal decide the Genero Adran Premier clash.
Players to watch
Mikayla Cook – Cardiff City
A standout performer throughout the season, versatile winger Mikayla Cook scored the opening goal in Cardiff City’s 2-1 win over Wrexham in the Semi-Final. The 21-year-old has 23 goal contributions across all competitions this season, with her pace and threat being a key part of the way the Bluebirds play.
Cook will be particularly keen to make an impact on Sunday after missing last season’s final through an injury that kept her out for the second half of the campaign. She has hit the ground running following her recovery and has established herself as one of the best players in the Genero Adran Premier this term.
Taite Trivett – Swansea City
Taite Trivett’s four goals and five assists in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup this season have inspired Swansea City to the final, with the former Barry Town United youngster finding the net in each of the last three rounds.
This Swans squad has an abundance of attacking quality, but Trivett brings something different in the key moments with her creativity and directness. The 22-year-old will have the chance to show that quality in her first Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final if she features on Sunday at Rodney Parade.
Match Officials
Referee: Charlotte Carpenter
Assistant Referee 1: Michelle Portelli
Assistant Referee 2: Rubie Bennett
Fourth Official: Erin Brennan
The venue
This is the third consecutive season that Rodney Parade has hosted the Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final, with Cardiff City defeating Wrexham in both of the previous two.
The stadium is home to EFL League Two side Newport County AFC and United Rugby Championship team Dragons RFC.
Ticket information
Supporters of Cardiff City can initially purchase tickets in Block F of the Bisley Stand, with further blocks opening based on demand.
Supporters of Swansea City can initially purchase tickets in Block B of the Bisley Stand, with further blocks opening based on demand.
Blocks D and E of the Bisley Stand will be used as a neutral section.
Tickets can be bought online for the following prices (plus booking fee):
Adults – £5.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £2.00
All tickets bought online will be digitally issued through the Cymru Tickets app, no later than 24 hours before kick-off. Tickets purchased fewer than 48 hours before the match will be delivered no later than five hours before kick-off.
Tickets will then be available to buy on the gate on matchday for increased prices:
Adults – £10.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £5.00
Television coverage
The Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final will be live on S4C, alongside BBC iPlayer, S4C Clic and Sgorio’s YouTube channel. Coverage will be begin at 16:45, with Welsh language commentary and English language commentary both available.
