FA Cup: Schedules, Dates, TV Channels & Start times
At WheresTheMatch, we’re here to ensure you don’t miss a single kick with our comprehensive guide to upcoming FA Cup fixtures. From key match dates to broadcast details, we’ve got everything you need to keep track of your favourite teams and thrilling match-ups.
The FA Cup, or the Football Association Challenge Cup, is the oldest national football competition in the world. Founded in 1871, it has become a hallmark of English football, celebrated by fans for its thrilling upsets and iconic moments. It’s a knockout tournament involving teams from across England, including clubs from the English Premier League, EFL Championship, and lower divisions. The FA Cup brings together top-tier and underdog teams, offering a rare chance for smaller clubs to compete against the giants of the sport.
Where to Watch the FA Cup on TV
Live FA Cup fixtures are broadcast in the UK by BBC and TNT Sports. The BBC offers free-to-air coverage of selected matches and the Final, with highlights and on-demand content via iPlayer, while TNT Sports carries the bulk of ties live from the First Round onwards, with streaming available via HBO Max.
When Do FA Cup Fixtures Take Place?
The FA Cup is a season-long competition starting in late summer and concluding with a grand final at Wembley Stadium in May. It begins with qualifying rounds in August, followed by rounds proper where lower league teams compete before Premier League and Championship clubs join in January. The competition heats up through the later rounds and semifinals, leading to the iconic final in May. Matches typically take place on weekends, with occasional midweek replays or Friday fixtures, while the final is traditionally held on a Saturday.
FA Cup Competition Format
The FA Cup starts with extra preliminary rounds in August, as non-league and grassroots clubs play for a spot in the main draw. For many smaller clubs, just making it to the "proper rounds" is akin to winning the trophy itself.
- Extra Preliminary & Preliminary Rounds: These involve clubs from lower steps of the English football pyramid.
- Qualifying Rounds: Four rounds where semi-professional and amateur teams battle it out for a shot at facing bigger clubs.
The Proper Rounds
Once the qualifying rounds are complete, the competition transitions into the main event. This is when the magic truly begins!
- First and Second Rounds: At this stage, teams from EFL League One and League Two (tiers three and four) join the successful qualifiers.
- Third Round: Premier League and Championship teams (tiers one and two) enter the competition, often facing off against lower-league teams. Many of the tournament's famed "giant-killing" moments take place here, as smaller clubs relish the opportunity to upset top-tier opponents.
- Fourth to Sixth Round: The competition progresses with the surviving teams battling for a place in the later stages. By now, the intensity ramps up as the field narrows.
FA Cup Semi Finals & Quarter Finals
The closing rounds feature only the strongest or most determined teams. At this point, the matches become single-elimination showdowns that take place at neutral venues, such as Wembley Stadium for the semi-finals.
The FA Cup Final
The FA Cup wraps up with a thrilling final at Wembley Stadium, where two sides face off to lift the historic trophy. The winner not only earns a place in football history but also secures a route into European competition (UEFA Europa League), adding further prestige to their achievement.
When Are the Next FA Cup Fixtures?
View upcoming matches with our comprehensive FA Cup schedule above.