Cup final returns to new Wembley

Updated 14.44 Sat May 19 2007

Keywords: launch, football, FA cup final, Wembley

A sell-out crowd of 90,000 fans will be celebrating the return of the FA Cup final at the new Wembley stadium later.

A host of great names are expected to attend the opening ceremony, while Prince William will be the chief guest in his role as president of the Football Association.

Premiership winners Manchester United and Chelsea will be the first teams to clash over the FA Cup at the £757 million stadium

Manchester United and Chelsea will be the first teams to clash over the FA Cup at the £757 million stadium. Fans will be treated to a celebratory Red Arrows fly-past before the showpiece match is broadcast worldwide.

A two-minute video of missing Madeleine McCann will also be played on big screens at the final.

Players from both Manchester United and Chelsea have made televised appeals for help.

The match marks the end of a troubled period for Wembley bosses, who originally said the stadium would be open for the 2003 FA Cup final at a cost of £326 million.

The stadium has been completely redeveloped with its iconic twin towers replaced by a 133-metre tall arch and a host of modern facilities.

Wembley last hosted an FA Cup final in 2000 when Chelsea beat Aston Villa 1-0.