East End Lions have been crowned 2026 Orange FA Cup champions after defeating Mighty Blackpool 1-0 in the final.

The victory ends a 37-year wait for the prestigious trophy, with the Lions winning their first FA Cup title since their 1-0 triumph over Real Republicans in the 1989 final.

The win also highlights East End Lions’ consistency in the competition, having reached four FA Cup finals in the last seven editions. During that period, they finished runners-up to Ports Authority (1990), Kamboi Eagles (2013), and Bo Rangers (2024).

By lifting Sierra Leone’s premier domestic knockout trophy, East End Lions have also secured qualification for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, where they will represent Sierra Leone on the continental stage.