FA Cup 2026-27: Draw and Results

There is something special about the FA Cup. Its unique knockout format brings together clubs from different levels of English football, giving lower-league sides the opportunity to compete against some of the country’s biggest teams.

With its long history of memorable upsets and dramatic finishes, the competition remains one of the highlights of the English football calendar.

The 2026-27 Emirates FA Cup is now underway, with the qualifying rounds completed and the First Round Proper approaching.

This article covers the competition schedule, draw dates, format and results, helping supporters follow the tournament from the opening qualifying round through to the final at Wembley Stadium.

When Does The FA Cup Start?

The 2026-27 FA Cup began with the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 8 August 2026. This opening stage featured clubs from the lower levels of the English football pyramid, with hundreds of teams competing for a place in the subsequent qualifying rounds.

The competition progresses through several qualifying stages before reaching the First Round Proper. The full schedule for the 2026-27 season is as follows:

  • Extra Preliminary Round: 8 August 2026
  • Preliminary Round: 22 August 2026
  • First Round Qualifying: 5 September 2026
  • Second Round Qualifying: 19 September 2026
  • Third Round Qualifying: 3 October 2026
  • Fourth Round Qualifying: 17 October 2026
  • First Round Proper: 7 November 2026
  • Second Round Proper: 5 December 2026
  • Third Round Proper: 9 January 2027
  • Fourth Round Proper: 13 February 2027
  • Fifth Round Proper: 6 March 2027
  • Quarter-Finals: 3 April 2027
  • Semi-Finals: 24 April 2027
  • Final: 22 May 2027

The First Round Proper introduces clubs from League One and League Two, alongside the non-league teams that have progressed through the qualifying stages. Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition in the Third Round Proper in January 2027.

From that point onwards, the tournament moves towards its business end, with each round bringing clubs closer to a potential appearance at Wembley.

When Is The FA Cup Final?

The 2026-27 FA Cup Final is scheduled for Saturday 22 May 2027 at Wembley Stadium in London.

The final is one of the biggest occasions in the English football calendar, bringing together the two teams that have successfully navigated the qualifying rounds and knockout stages. Wembley provides the setting for the competition’s showpiece match, with the winners lifting the famous FA Cup trophy.

The date has been confirmed by the Football Association, although the precise kick-off time and broadcast arrangements are subject to further announcements.

When Is The FA Cup Draw?

The FA Cup draw takes place at different points throughout the season, with each round’s pairings determining the next set of fixtures.

The early-round draws were confirmed in July 2026, allowing non-league clubs to prepare for the opening stages of the competition. The First Round Proper draw took place on Monday 19 October 2026, when League One and League Two clubs joined the qualifying-round winners.

The remaining draws will take place as the competition progresses:

  • First Round Proper: Draw held on 19 October 2026.
  • Second Round Proper: Draw scheduled following the conclusion of the First Round Proper.
  • Third Round Proper: Draw scheduled following the Second Round Proper in December 2026.
  • Fourth Round Proper: Draw to take place following the Third Round Proper in January 2027.
  • Fifth Round Proper: Draw to take place following the Fourth Round Proper in February 2027.
  • Quarter-Finals: Draw to take place following the Fifth Round Proper in March 2027.
  • Semi-Finals: Draw to determine the final pairings following the Quarter-Finals in April 2027.

The exact dates and broadcast arrangements for subsequent draws are announced by the FA as the tournament progresses.

The draws are important occasions for supporters because they reveal potential matchups between clubs from different divisions. A favourable home draw can offer a lower-league team an opportunity to progress, while a meeting between two established sides can produce one of the competition’s standout fixtures.

FA Cup Draw

The FA Cup uses an unseeded draw, meaning there are no protected teams or predetermined matchups based on league position or previous achievements.

Once the teams have qualified for the relevant round, they are assigned numbers and entered into the draw. Balls are then selected to determine the pairings, with the first team drawn generally receiving home advantage.

This open format is one of the reasons the FA Cup remains so unpredictable. A non-league club can be drawn against a Premier League opponent, while two leading teams can find themselves facing each other much earlier than expected.

The latest FA Cup draw is:

Friday, 6 November

Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge – 7:30pm

Oxford City vs Leicester – 7:45pm

Saturday, 7 November

Accrington vs Wycombe – 3pm

Fleetwood vs Rochdale – 3pm

Leyton Orient vs Harborough Town – 3pm

Bardford vs Marine – 3pm

York vs Northampton – 3pm

Hornchurch vs Blackpool – 3pm

Oxford United vs Stevenage – 3pm

Burton Albion vs Rushden and Diamonds – 3pm

Salisbury vs Sholing – 3pm

Carlisle vs Salford – 3pm

Kidderminster vs Doncaster – 3pm

Plymouth vs Alvechurch – 3pm

Harrogate vs Flyde – 3pm

Eastleigh vs Shrewsbury – 3pm

Boreham Wood vs Wigan – 3pm

Cheltenham vs Halifax – 3pm

Crewe vs Wimbledon – 3pm

Huddersfield vs Exeter – 3pm

Newport vs Walsall – 3pm

Mansfield vs Macclesfield – 3pm

Barnsley vs Aldershot – 3pm

Guiseley vs Sutton – 3pm

Bromley vs Rotherham – 3pm

Barnet vs Tranmere – 3pm

Dover Athletic vs Wealdstone – 3pm

MK Dons vs Swindon – 3pm

Port Vale vs Scunthorpe – 3pm

Gillingham vs Barrow – 3pm

Luton vs Forest Green – 3pm

Colchester vs Worcester City – 3pm

Chesterfield vs Yeovil – 3pm

Altrincham vs Notts County – 5:30pm

Peterborough vs Reading – 8pm

Sunday, 8 November

Stafford Rangers vs Grimsby – 12pm

Cray vs Stockport – 2:15pm

Wimbourne Town vs Crawley Town – 3pm

Oldham vs Sheffield Wednesday – 5:15pm

Monday, 9 November

Plymouth Parkway vs Berkhamsted – 7:30pm

One important feature of the modern competition is that there are no replays. Since the 2024-25 season, all FA Cup ties have been decided on the day. If a match is level after 90 minutes, it goes to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.

FA Cup Results

The 2026-27 FA Cup qualifying rounds have taken place, and the First Round Proper draw has now been completed.

As of 4 November 2026, the First Round Proper matches have not yet been played. Therefore, there are no confirmed results from the main competition rounds at this stage.

The latest FA Cup results are:

Bet on the FA Cup at Bet442

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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.