A record-breaking 20,000 tickets have been sold ahead of this weekend's Continental Tyres League Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea.
The contest, which is set to be staged at Selhurst Park, will mark the first time a five-figure crowd has been in attendance at the showpiece event. The previous record attendance was recorded last season as 8,004 watched Manchester City defeat Chelsea 3-1 at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Chelsea will hope for a different outcome when they kick off against Arsenal on Sunday, with Emma Hayes' side having already knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup this month. Both finalists only entered the competition at the knockout stages due to their participation in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
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Chelsea beat Tottenham 3-1 in the quarter-finals before handing out a 7-0 mauling to West Ham in the semis. Arsenal meanwhile scored three without reply against Aston Villa before Stina Blackstenius' strike in extra-time was enough to send holders Manchester City out of the competition.
This weekend's clash will mark the first time that Selhurst Park will have hosted Conti Cup Final in the 11-year history of the tournament. Home to Premier League side Crystal Palace since 1924, the 25,456-seater stadium is no stranger to hosting top-level women’s football, with the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final held there on three occasions between 2001 and 2003.
Reflecting on the decision to stage the Final at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace Chairman, Steve Parish, said: “We are delighted Selhurst Park has been selected to host the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup Final. Crystal Palace has a rich heritage of hosting FA Finals, being the home of the Men’s FA Cup Final for twenty years before the construction of Wembley.
"As the Women’s game continues to go from strength to strength, we are excited to continue this tradition by welcoming this showpiece game to South London.”
It's hoped the event will also draw a huge TV audience, with the match due to be broadcast live on the BBC.
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