FA Cup Schedule 2026
Your complete guide to the FA Cup 2026 schedule, featuring all match dates, rounds, venues, and kick-off times for football's oldest knockout tournament.
Understanding the FA Cup 2026 Schedule
The FA Cup 2026 schedule represents a magnificent journey through English football's pyramid, spanning from early August's extra preliminary round to the majestic final at Wembley Stadium in May. This football tournament, the oldest knockout competition in the world, follows a meticulously crafted calendar that accommodates clubs from the tenth tier of English football all the way to the Premier League elite. Understanding the FA Cup schedule is essential for fans, players, and clubs alike, as each football fixture carries the weight of history and the dreams of supporters.
What makes the FA Cup 2026 schedule truly remarkable is its inclusive nature. Unlike other football competitions that may exclude smaller clubs, the FA Cup welcomes teams from across the English football pyramid. The schedule begins with teams from Levels 9-10 competing in the extra preliminary round, gradually incorporating higher-level clubs as the knockout tournament progresses. By the time the Third Round Proper arrives in early January, Premier League and Championship clubs enter the fray, creating the possibility of fairy-tale matchups between giants and minnows that define this special cup competition.
Planning around the FA Cup schedule requires careful consideration of various factors. Clubs must balance cup commitments with league campaigns, while fans need to navigate potential fixture congestion and replay scenarios. The FA Cup 2026 schedule incorporates flexibility for television broadcasting, weather contingencies, and European competition commitments, making it a dynamic document that evolves throughout the season. This comprehensive guide to the FA Cup schedule will help you follow every stage of this historic football tournament.
The 2026 edition of the FA Cup promises to uphold the traditions that have made this knockout tournament so beloved. From non-league grounds hosting early-round qualifiers to the iconic Wembley Stadium hosting the final, the FA Cup schedule connects communities across England and captivates audiences worldwide. Whether you're a die-hard supporter planning your season or a casual fan looking to catch the biggest matches, understanding the FA Cup 2026 schedule is your first step toward experiencing the magic of English football's most prestigious cup competition.
Complete FA Cup 2026 Rounds Calendar
The FA Cup 2026 schedule encompasses 14 rounds of intense knockout action, each with its own character and significance. This football tournament's structure ensures that dreams can be made at any level, with every football fixture representing a step toward potential glory. Below is the comprehensive breakdown of the FA Cup schedule, from the humble beginnings in August to the spectacular climax at Wembley in May.
Extra Preliminary Round
Early AugustThe FA Cup schedule begins here, with teams from Levels 9-10 of English football competing for the right to advance. These grassroots football fixtures represent the purest expression of the cup competition, where small clubs and their communities dream of creating FA Cup history. Matches typically occur on weekends, with replays scheduled midweek if necessary. The extra preliminary round sets 184 teams on a journey that could, theoretically, end at Wembley.
Preliminary Round
Mid-AugustWinners from the extra preliminary round advance to face additional entering teams in the FA Cup schedule. The preliminary round further narrows the field, with 92 teams joining the competition at this stage. These football fixtures often feature fiercely competitive matches between local rivals, adding spice to the early rounds. The knockout format means every team is just 90 minutes from elimination, heightening the drama of this cup competition.
First Round Qualifying
Late AugustThe FA Cup schedule continues with more teams entering the fray. First Round Qualifying sees the competition taking shape, with 92 clubs joining the winners from the preliminary round. These football fixtures often produce the first notable cupsets of the tournament, as well-established non-league clubs face fresh opposition. The pathway to the Third Round Proper begins to take form, with each victory bringing teams closer to facing Football League opposition.
Second Round Qualifying
Early SeptemberAs the FA Cup schedule progresses, Second Round Qualifying continues the elimination process. Clubs from Levels 7-8 enter the competition at this stage, raising the quality and stakes of the football fixtures. Matches become increasingly competitive, with the prize of potentially facing professional clubs in later rounds driving intense performances. The knockout tournament format begins to separate the ambitious from the content.
Fourth Round Qualifying
Mid-OctoberThe final qualifying round of the FA Cup schedule determines which clubs advance to the competition proper. Fourth Round Qualifying features teams from Levels 5-6 entering the fray, creating crucial crossover fixtures between amateur and professional clubs. These football fixtures often produce dramatic moments as non-league teams attempt to secure their place among the professional ranks. The winners earn the right to dream of a potential giant-killing in the First Round Proper.
First Round Proper
Early NovemberThe FA Cup schedule reaches its first major milestone with the First Round Proper. League One and League Two clubs enter the knockout tournament, joining the qualifiers who have navigated the early rounds. This is where the FA Cup truly comes alive for many supporters, with 80 teams competing in 40 football fixtures across the weekend. The possibility of non-league clubs facing established Football League teams creates the cup's signature David vs. Goliath encounters.
Second Round Proper
Late NovemberThe Second Round Proper narrows the field to 40 teams, with winners from the First Round Proper competing for places in the coveted Third Round. The FA Cup schedule maintains the knockout format's intensity, with replays adding extra drama if football fixtures end in draws. This round often features intriguing matchups between lower-league clubs and Championship teams, setting the stage for the Third Round's entry of the Premier League elite.
Third Round Proper
First Weekend of JanuaryThe most anticipated weekend in the FA Cup schedule, Third Round Proper sees Premier League and Championship clubs enter the knockout tournament. With 64 teams competing in 32 football fixtures, this round produces the tournament's most famous giant-killings and fairy-tale stories. The FA Cup's unique charm shines as non-league minnows host Premier League giants, creating scenes that capture global attention and remind the footballing world why this cup competition remains so special.
Fourth Round Proper
Late JanuaryThe Fourth Round Proper continues the knockout tournament drama with 32 teams competing for places in the last 16. The FA Cup schedule typically schedules this round for late January, often creating fixture congestion amid winter conditions. Football fixtures in this round frequently feature replays and extra-time drama, as teams battle to keep their cup dreams alive. The possibility of all-Premier League clashes or surprise lower-league advancements adds to the excitement.
Fifth Round Proper
Late February / Early MarchThe Fifth Round Proper reduces the FA Cup field to 16 teams, with the competition entering its business end. The knockout tournament format creates immense pressure, as each football fixture brings teams one step closer to Wembley. The FA Cup schedule here typically features fewer replays, as clubs prioritize advancing in this cup competition alongside their league campaigns. Giant-killings become less common but more dramatic when they occur.
Quarter-Finals
Mid-MarchEight teams remain in the FA Cup schedule, all dreaming of a semi-final at Wembley. The Quarter-Finals represent the knockout tournament's last barrier before the national stadium, with football fixtures often producing memorable performances and dramatic storylines. The cup competition's prestige intensifies, as the quarter-finalists can realistically envision lifting the trophy. Replays are eliminated from this stage, ensuring matches must be decided on the day or through extra time and penalties.
Semi-Finals
Mid-AprilThe FA Cup schedule reaches Wembley Stadium for the semi-finals, with both matches typically played over a single weekend. The four remaining teams compete in this knockout tournament's penultimate stage, with football fixtures under the arch at the national stadium adding extra significance. Winning a semi-final secures not just a place in the final but also qualification for European competition, raising the stakes even higher in this prestigious cup competition.
FA Cup Final
May (Saturday)The climax of the FA Cup schedule, the final at Wembley Stadium, represents one of the biggest occasions in the football calendar. The knockout tournament concludes with this showpiece event, watched by millions worldwide. The football fixture determines who lifts the famous trophy and qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, adding European implications to this historic cup competition. The final weekend celebrates the FA Cup's rich heritage while creating new memories for future generations.
FA Cup 2026 Key Dates to Remember
Mark your calendars with these essential FA Cup 2026 dates. The football tournament's schedule revolves around specific milestones that every fan should note. From draw ceremonies that determine potential giant-killings to match weekends that could produce historic upsets, these key dates structure the FA Cup journey from beginning to end.
📅Draw Ceremonies
- •First Round Proper Draw: Late October - Determines which qualifiers face Football League clubs
- •Second Round Proper Draw: Mid-November - Sets up Third Round qualifying playoffs
- •Third Round Draw: Late November - The big draw, with Premier League clubs entering
- •Fourth & Fifth Round Draws: January - Conducted live following previous round results
- •Quarter-Final Draw: Mid-March - Determines pathways to Wembley semi-finals
⚽Match Weekends
- •Third Round Weekend: First weekend of January - The most anticipated FA Cup weekend
- •Fourth Round Weekend: Late January - 32 teams compete for last 16 places
- •Fifth Round Weekend: Late February/Early March - The knockout tournament intensifies
- •Quarter-Final Weekend: Mid-March - Eight teams, four massive football fixtures
- •Semi-Final Weekend: Mid-April - Both semis at Wembley Stadium
- •Final: May (Saturday) - The cup competition's grand finale
How the FA Cup Schedule is Determined
The FA Cup schedule doesn't materialize by chance—it's the result of meticulous planning involving the Football Association, broadcast partners, club representatives, and various stakeholders. This knockout tournament's calendar must accommodate hundreds of clubs, multiple competitions, weather uncertainties, and television commitments while preserving the traditions that make the FA Cup special. Understanding how the schedule is constructed reveals the complexity behind organizing football's oldest cup competition.
The FA Cup schedule begins taking shape years in advance, with the Football Association's competitions working group outlining the broad framework. Key considerations include avoiding clashes with Premier League and Championship fixtures, accommodating European competitions, and leaving buffer dates for potential replays and weather postponements. The football tournament's format, with its staggered entry of clubs from different levels, requires precise coordination to ensure smooth progression through each round.
Broadcast partnerships significantly influence the FA Cup schedule. Television contracts with domestic and international partners dictate certain match timings and dates, with premium football fixtures typically scheduled for favorable viewing slots. However, the FA Cup maintains traditions like Saturday afternoon kick-offs for early rounds, balancing commercial requirements with the cup competition's heritage. The schedule must also accommodate highlights shows, with match spread across weekends to maximize coverage.
The FA Cup schedule incorporates flexibility for unexpected circumstances. Winter weather in England can disrupt football fixtures, requiring rearrangement dates that don't create excessive fixture congestion. Cup replays, though reduced in recent years, still necessitate scheduling midweek dates for tied matches. The knockout tournament's single-elimination format means postponements must be resolved quickly to maintain the competition's momentum toward the final.
Club input also shapes the FA Cup schedule. Teams competing in multiple competitions request consideration for fixture congestion, especially during winter months. The Football Association aims to balance fairness with tradition, ensuring the FA Cup retains its special place in the football calendar while recognizing the modern game's demands. This delicate equilibrium explains why the FA Cup schedule evolves gradually, respecting the past while adapting to contemporary football's realities.
FA Cup Schedule Time Considerations
The FA Cup schedule features diverse kick-off times that reflect both tradition and modern broadcasting requirements. Understanding these time considerations helps fans plan their FA Cup experience, whether attending matches in person or following remotely. The football tournament accommodates various stakeholders while maintaining the unique atmosphere that makes this knockout tournament so special.
Traditional Saturday Afternoons
Early rounds of the FA Cup schedule predominantly feature Saturday 3:00 PM kick-offs, honoring the traditional football fixture time that has defined English football for generations. These afternoon kick-offs create the classic cup atmosphere, with fans traveling to away grounds and local communities gathering to support their teams. The FA Cup's connection to football's roots is most evident during these Saturday afternoon matches in the knockout tournament's early stages.
Evening Matches for Television
As the FA Cup schedule progresses, evening kick-offs become more common, particularly for high-profile football fixtures selected for live television coverage. Friday night and Sunday afternoon games accommodate broadcasters while maximizing viewership. The cup competition's global appeal means some matches are scheduled at times favorable to international audiences, though the FA Cup maintains more traditional kick-offs than some other football tournaments.
Midweek Replays
When FA Cup matches end in draws, replays are typically scheduled for midweek evenings, usually 7:45 PM kick-offs approximately 10 days after the original football fixture. These replay dates add extra drama to the knockout tournament while creating additional revenue for smaller clubs. However, the FA Cup has eliminated replays from the quarter-final stage onwards to reduce fixture congestion and maintain the competition's momentum toward the final.
Special Occasion Kick-offs
The FA Cup final traditionally kicks off at 3:00 PM on a Saturday in May, maintaining the cup competition's connection to tradition. However, semi-finals at Wembley may feature varied kick-off times to accommodate both matches over the weekend. The FA Cup schedule reserves the late afternoon slot for the final, ensuring the trophy lift occurs in prime time for both stadium attendees and television audiences worldwide.
FA Cup Schedule Venue Information
The FA Cup schedule encompasses venues ranging from non-league grounds accommodating a few hundred spectators to the majestic Wembley Stadium, which holds 90,000. This diversity of locations encapsulates the cup competition's unique appeal, where the knockout tournament journey can take teams from humble surroundings to the national stadium's grand stage. Understanding venue characteristics enhances appreciation of the FA Cup's special place in English football.
Early rounds of the FA Cup schedule feature matches at club grounds throughout the English football pyramid. Non-league venues often have limited facilities but tremendous character, with stands close to the pitch creating intimate atmospheres that larger stadiums cannot replicate. These football fixtures frequently occur on surfaces and in conditions that test players' abilities, adding to the cup competition's unpredictability. For many fans, watching their team at such venues represents the FA Cup experience at its most authentic.
As the FA Cup schedule progresses to the later rounds, matches increasingly occur at larger Football League and Premier League grounds. The capacity and quality of these venues improve, but the knockout tournament's essence remains. Lower-league clubs reaching the Third Round Proper often host Premier League opponents at their stadiums, creating classic FA Cup atmospheres where the away end is packed with traveling supporters and the home crowd dreams of giant-killing glory.
The FA Cup schedule culminates at Wembley Stadium for both semi-finals and the final. Wembley's modern incarnation, opened in 2007, provides a spectacular setting for the cup competition's showpiece occasions. The famous arch, the pitch dimensions, and the stadium's history all contribute to making Wembley the perfect venue for the FA Cup's biggest matches. Teams must navigate the entire knockout tournament to earn the right to play at Wembley, making every football fixture in the FA Cup schedule a step toward this iconic destination.
Venue considerations in the FA Cup schedule also include geographical distribution. The Football Association aims to balance draws to avoid excessive travel for supporters, though the knockout format means long journeys are sometimes unavoidable. Early rounds try to pair relatively local teams where possible, while later rounds accept that traveling supporters will journey significant distances to follow their team in this historic football tournament.
Historical FA Cup Scheduling Patterns
The FA Cup schedule has evolved significantly since the competition's inception in 1871, reflecting changes in football, society, and technology. Examining historical patterns reveals how this knockout tournament has adapted while maintaining its core traditions. The cup competition's scheduling history offers fascinating insights into English football's development and the FA Cup's enduring appeal across generations.
The Early Years: 1871-1914
The original FA Cup schedule was remarkably compact, with the entire knockout tournament completed within a few months. Early FA Cup fixtures occurred mainly in the spring, with cup competition replays common and often arranged on short notice. The football tournament's scheduling accommodated the amateur status of most participating clubs, with matches played when players could get time off work. The final typically occurred in March, earlier than the modern May slot, reflecting the shorter season in football's formative years.
Interwar and Post-War Era: 1919-1960s
The FA Cup schedule expanded alongside the professional game's growth, with the knockout tournament stretching across more of the season. Replays became scheduled affairs rather than ad-hoc arrangements, and the FA Cup final moved to May, establishing the tradition that continues today. The football tournament's scheduling began accommodating league commitments more deliberately, though cup competitions still held primacy in many supporters' minds.
Television Era: 1970s-1990s
Broadcasting deals dramatically influenced the FA Cup schedule, with evening kick-offs and Sunday matches becoming more common for televised football fixtures. The cup competition adapted to maximize television revenue while preserving traditional elements. The knockout tournament's scheduling became more sophisticated, with greater separation between rounds and improved coordination with league fixtures. The FA Cup final's status as a television spectacle was cemented during this era.
Modern Era: 2000s-Present
The contemporary FA Cup schedule reflects football's globalized nature, with international broadcasting considerations and European competition commitments factoring into planning. The knockout tournament has reduced replays in later rounds and eliminated them entirely from quarter-finals onwards to manage player workload. Technology allows for more sophisticated scheduling, with real-time updates and flexible arrangements for weather disruptions. The football tournament now begins earlier in August and extends through May, accommodating hundreds of teams across the pyramid.
Planning Your FA Cup 2026 Experience
The FA Cup 2026 schedule offers a magnificent journey through English football's pyramid, culminating in one of the sport's greatest prizes. Whether you're planning to attend matches, follow on television, or track scores online, understanding the knockout tournament's calendar helps you fully engage with this historic cup competition. From the extra preliminary round's modest beginnings to the Wembley final's spectacular climax, the FA Cup schedule represents football at its most inclusive and dramatic.
As you navigate the FA Cup 2026 schedule, remember that each football fixture carries the weight of over 150 years of tradition. The cup competition has produced some of football's most iconic moments, and this season's schedule promises to add new chapters to that rich history. Whether you're supporting a non-league club dreaming of a giant-killing or a Premier League heavyweight targeting the trophy, the FA Cup schedule maps your team's potential journey to glory.
The FA Cup continues to captivate because it embodies everything that makes football special: passion, unpredictability, and the possibility that dreams can come true regardless of club size or status. The 2026 schedule provides the framework for another season of magic, with every date on the calendar offering opportunities for heroism, heartbreak, and the kind of stories that make this knockout tournament the world's greatest cup competition.
Mark your calendars, prepare your travel plans, and get ready for another unforgettable FA Cup journey. The schedule is set, the dates are confirmed, and football's oldest knockout tournament awaits. From the first whistle in August to the final trophy lift in May, experience every moment of the FA Cup 2026 as history unfolds once again in England's most prestigious football tournament.
Your comprehensive guide to the FA Cup 2026 schedule and football tournament calendar