The 1882 FA Cup final was the eleventh final of the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. It was contested between Old Etonians and Blackburn Rovers on 25 March 1882 at the Kennington Oval in London.
The Old Etonians were a prominent amateur side, primarily comprising former pupils of Eton College. They had a strong history in the early years of the competition, having previously won the cup in 1879 and reaching several other finals. Blackburn Rovers, by contrast, represented the emerging professional and working-class teams from the North of England. This final marked Blackburn Rovers' first appearance in the showpiece event, a significant step that foreshadowed their future dominance in the competition.
The match was played in front of an estimated crowd of 6,000 spectators. The Old Etonians ultimately secured a narrow 1-0 victory, with the sole goal being scored by William Anderson. This triumph marked the Old Etonians' second and final FA Cup success. It is often regarded as one of the last victories by a purely amateur, upper-class team before the professional clubs from the North of England began to assert their superiority in the competition. The referee for the match was Francis Marindin.
This final is historically significant as it bridged the gap between the amateur era of the FA Cup and the professional era that would soon follow. While Old Etonians represented the old guard, Blackburn Rovers' presence in the final signaled the shift in power within English football.