Emirates Presents: The Thrilling FA Cup 2025-26 Season

Another football league opens up for its fans with mysterious performances to come on the way in the FA Cup 2025-26. Worldwide football, with the alternative FA Cup tournament, has a history and tradition that trusts every club. This will have a 145th edition in the iconic football competition and promises bone-chilling performances. The FA Cup 2025-26 season is waiting to open its story with mesmerizing experiences on the turf. This Football Association Challenge Cup is the oldest ancient football competition in the world. As usual, sponsorship of the Football Association by Emirates is also known as the Emirates FA Cup. Another domestic cup tournament of the FA Cup for men’s football teams in England. This qualifying starts on August 1, 2025, with a first round on November 1, 2025. This season’s tournament winners will secure an entry in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. Check out all other games with the latest updates and fresh news.

Historical Moves

The Football Association Challenge Cup, aka the FA Cup, is the nostalgic performance in the national football globe. Since 1871, the FA Cup has been originated to uniteall clubs under the Football Association with a privilege offer. The format of knockout to all teams across all tiers of English football. Nowadays, all football leagues fascinate with their tradition of performing some richness. Later, the FA Cup is respected for its open format, following non-league clubs facing off against top-tier teams. This comes under equality and dramatic upsets known as “giant killings.” The FA Cup started with a much smaller 15 teams, and the winner of the first final was the Wanderers. After that, the FA Cup moved to Wembley Stadium, where the iconic “White Horse Final” depicted over 100,000 enthusiasts. Let us talk about streaming on radio and TV leagues becoming a national institution. Currently, over 700 clubs compete periodically, showing their football-fascinated performers.

Start with the smallest grassroots clubs to the giants of the Premier League. The FA Cup unites football fans worldwide, reminding us that dreams can come true on the pitch. The FA Cup 2025-26 season is crystal clear, with a static range of stadiums across England and Wales. Reflecting both elite and grassroots levels of the FA Cup game with Wembley Stadium in London on most covers. Deeply spoken prestigious semi-final and final conducting to the nation’s iconic football home. Football associability plays a major role in the FA Cup and hosting matches nationwide. Not only urbans from rural to lively towns but also deeper connection clubs and fans in the FA Cup. A major advantage is smaller clubs’ chance to share the national stage experience profit, with unbelievable wonders and economic boosts. Moreover, the history of the FA Cup has a spirit of venue diversity on their team health embedded in the FA Cup.

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What and when does the FA Cup 2025-26 season start?

The FA Cup (Emirates FA Cup) will start on August 1, 2025, for the Extra Preliminary Round teams clashes. After that, the preliminary round starts on August 16, 2025, in the FA Cup 2025-26 season.

How can I watch the live streaming for the FA Cup 2025-26 season?

You can watch the live stream of the FA Cup 2025-26 season in the UK on BBC Sport and TNT Sports. The stream is also available for two matches per round up to the quarter-final, one semi-final, and final highlights.

To stream the FA Cup 2025-26 season, live, ESPN+ is the platform for all the USA viewers. ESPN grabs exclusive rights to the competition through 2028, offering coverage of 79 matches from the first round to the final. You can subscribe for $11.99/month or opt for the annual plan at $119.99, which saves you a bit over time.

Experience the FA Cup 2025-26 season, which starts in Australia and will be broadcast on Stan Sport, which has secured exclusive broadcast rights in Australia. From early rounds to the final, all matches will be available live and on-demand on Stan Sport.

To catch the FA Cup 2025-26 season, live in Germany, the best option is DAZN. You access it on the DAZN app on smart TVs, web browsers, or mobile devices. A monthly subscription, typically around €14.99, or an annual plan for savings.

You can access it from France; the 2025-26 season will be serviced by channels like beIN Sports or Eurosport. Another option is to broadcast via ESPN+ or Discovery+ if they offer international entrée.

For football enthusiasts, you can enter QQ Sports, Migu, and ZhiBo8; multiple options are available. These are for international football tournaments, including the FA Cup 2025-26 season.

The FA Cup 2025-26 season will be broadcast on SuperSport for the South African fans. The alternative option, DStv Premium, will have available matches and can be streamed via the DStv Stream app.

The FA Cup 2025-26 season, which grabbed the official broadcasting rights, can be watched streaming through Sky Sport Now.

What is the format of the FA Cup 2025-26 season?

The FA Cup 2025-26 season format has determined the 124 teams, with all battling for a chance to shine in the final on May 16, 2026! The FA Cup elite competition showcases all 92 teams in the Football League system and 20 from the Premier League. It had been 72 from the EFL Championship, EFL League One, and EFL League Two. They were 32 determined teams evolving from a remarkable 655 that began in the qualifying rounds in the National League. A total of 747 entrants this season, two more than last year, is high since the 2012-13 season.

Round	Main date (Saturdays)	Number of fixtures	Clubs remaining	New entries this round	Winner prize money	Loser prize money	Divisions entering this round
First round	1 November 2025	40	124 → 84	48	£45,000	£15,000	24 EFL League One teams 24 EFL League Two teams
Second round	6 December 2025	20	84 → 64	None	£75,000	£20,000	None
Third round	10 January 2026	32	64 → 32	44	£115,000	£25,000	20 Premier League teams 24 EFL Championship teams
Fourth round	14 February 2026	16	32 → 16	None	£120,000	None	None
Fifth round	7 March 2026	8	16 → 8	None	£225,000	None	None
Quarter-finals	4 April 2026	4	8 → 4	None	£450,000	None	None
Semi-finals	25 April 2026	2	4 → 2	None	£1,000,000	£500,000	None
Final	16 May 2026	1	2 → 1	None	£2,000,000	£1,000,000	None

Qualifying

They will join the clash in the qualifying rounds from the Premier League and the English Football League to earn one of the 32 coveted spots in the first round. This six-round qualifying tournament will start with the Extra Preliminary round on August 1, 2025. Later, the fourth and final qualifying round will kick off on October 11, 2025.

Guideline Variations

The FA Cup 2025-26 season brings a fresh wave of rule changes that aim to modernize the game.

• Goalkeepers’ roles have eight seconds to release the ball. If they surpass this, the opposing team gets a corner kick. This rule motto aims to speed up play in knockout matches.
• Referees can now announce VAR decisions live to the stadium audience, enhancing transparency. Then, helping supporters understand controversial calls in real time.
• The “only the captain” rule is now optional for competitions. If adopted, only the team captain can style the referee, aiming to reduce fans and dissent for smoother match management.
• Dropped ball procedures If play stops inside the penalty area, the ball is dropped for the defending goalkeeper. Outside ball: It is dropped for the team that had or would gain possession or the last team to touch the ball if it’s unclear.
• Offside rulings now focus upon the last point of contact when a goalkeeper throws the ball, enhancing consistency and preventing accidental offside traps. These changes to the rules will result in fewer delays and tighter time management, but they will be used in knockout rounds.

How are the dates allotted for the Emirates FA Cup 2025-26 season?

Extra Preliminary Round: Friday, 1 August 2025

Preliminary Round: Saturday, 16 August 2025

First Round Qualifying: Saturday, 30 August 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Saturday 13 September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Saturday, 27 September 2025

Fourth Round Qualifying: Saturday 11 October 2025

First Round Proper: Saturday 1 November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday, 6 December 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 10 January 2026

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 14 February 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7 March 2026

Quarter Final: Saturday 4 April 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday, 25 April 2026

The Final: Saturday, 16 May 2026

What is the prize purse of the FA Cup 2025-26 season?

Stage	Winners’ Prize	Losers’ Prize
First Round Proper	£45,000	£15,000
Second Round Proper	£75,000	£20,000
Third Round Proper	£115,000	£25,000
Fourth Round Proper	£120,000	—
Fifth Round Proper	£225,000	—
Quarter-Finals	£450,000	—
Semi-Finals	£1,000,000	£500,000
Final	£2,000,000	£1,000,000

Prediction

Bootle vs 1874 Northwich

The Bootle clash with 1874 Northwich on August 1, 2025, at Berry Street Garage Stadium, Bootle, England, for the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup 2025-26 season.

Previous Rivalry

Bootle’s involvement in the FA Cup showcases their potential determination and talent nationally with a passionate fan base. They lost 3-1 to the City of Liverpool in the preliminary round last year.

Northwich pulled off an exciting victory over Stockbridge Park Steels in the FA Cup. These moments make the tournament magical and make visible grassroots football at its best. Hence, Bootle will have home turf to make a slight edge.

Falmouth Town vs Helston Athletic

On August 2, 2025, Falmouth Town and Helston Athletic gathered at Brewers Green Lane for the Extra Preliminary round in the FA Cup 2025-26 season.

Previous Rivalry

Falmouth Town has been promoted to the Southern League Division One South for the 2025-26 season. They have showcased an upward trajectory and have come back to this season’s performances.

Despite tough performances, the new season starts on the Helston Athletic team’s side. Originating from the Non-League Div One Southern South league, it has ten wins, 11 draws, and 21 losses across the competition. Therefore, Helston Athletic will pick up on a winning streak.

Melksham Town vs AFC Portchester

Melksham Town is coming to blows with AFC Portchester for the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup. On August 2, 2025, at Oakfield Stadium, Melksham, England.

Previous Rivalry

Melksham Town will likely win a 3-2 away victory over Banbury and show their potential determination. This team has recently lost 0-4 to Swindon and 0-2 to Weston-Super-Mare.

Conversely, AFC Portchester were qualifying Wessex League Premier Division Champions, earning promotion in the 2024-25 season. They were disappointed to lose 0-1 to Westbury United after that 5-1 win in the extra preliminary round. This time, AFC Portchester will achieve success.

Croydon Athletic vs Roffey

At Mayfield Stadium, Surrey, Roffey conflicts with Croydon Athletic on August 2, 2025, for the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup 2025-26 showdown.

Previous Rivalry

Croydon Athletic had a tough and stormy run in the Isthmian South East Division. They played 22 matches, winning five, tying nine, and losing eight.

Roffey included a 5-1 away victory over Billingshurst, in which George Cousins scored twice in the early going for primary winning reasons. Last year, this team had a tough squad in the Southern Combination Football League Division. Given that, Croydon Athletic will have home-field advantage to secure a triumph.

AFC Whyteleafe vs Chipstead

The AFC Whyteleafe will face off with Chipstead on August 2, 2025, at Church Road. For the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup 2025-26 run-in.

Previous Rivalry

AFC Whyteleafe has had a fantastic rise recently, with promotions to a particular league. They reached the FA Vase Final, barely losing 2-1 to Whistable Town after extra time.

Chipstead has a challenging run for the 2023-24 season in the Isthmian League Division One South Central. At that time, they were 21st out of 19th place with six wins, five draws, and 20 losses. Thus, the AFC Whyteleafe will likely take a victory.

Street vs Brixham

On August 2, 2025, Street and Brixham get together at Tannery Ground for the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Previous Rivalry

Street’s past performances include 14 wins, 10 draws, and 14 losses, with 49 goals scored and 47 conceded in the past year. They showed an equally balanced goal difference.

Brixham has consistently performed well over the past year, with a 3-0 victory over Barnstaple Town and a 2-1 win over Brislington. This team, known as “The Fishermen,” played at their home ground with a weight of 1000. Based on their performances, Brixham will undoubtedly earn their upcoming matches.

Haywards Heath Town vs Ashford United

At Hanbury Stadium, England, Haywards Heath Town are in confrontation with Ashford United, for the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup on August 2, 2025.

Previous Rivalry

A rollercoaster experience gives these Haywards Heath towns in the Isthmian League Division One South East. Being relegated at the end of the 2022-23 campaign and collecting 36 points from 38 matches with eight wins, 12 draws, and 18 losses.

Over recent seasons, Ashford United has had a mix of results in the Isthmian League Division One South East. They finished 11th out of 22 teams, scoring 16 wins, 10 draws, and 16 losses for the 2024-25 fight. As a result, Ashford United will surely gain in their forthcoming series.

Harpenden Town vs Concord Rangers

In the FA Cup, Harpenden Town will play Concord Rangers on August 2, 2025, at Rothamsted Park, England.

Previous Rivalry

Harpenden Town is full of drama, shifting from club form and the South Midlands League Premier Division to the Isthmian South East. Their FA Vase journey was richer, and advancing to the third round was eliminated by Dereham Town’s 2-2 draw.

Concord Rangers come back to the Isthmian League Division One North 2024-25 after relegation from the Premier Division. They ended because they lost their match against Milton Keynes Irish in the preliminary round. So, Concord Rangers will win their forthcoming series.

Bideford vs Wellington

On August 2, 2025, Bideford will tussle with Wellington at Sports Ground, Bideford, for the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup 2025-26 season.

Previous Rivalry

Bideford performed well in the Southern League Division One South 2024-25 season. They played 42 matches, with 16 wins, 15 draws, and 11 losses.

Wellington AFC is one of their most notable achievements, following the third round in the FA Vase 2003-04 season. Based on their performances, Bideford will undoubtedly pick up on their anticipated matches.

Bishop Auckland vs Whickham

Bishop Auckland is locking horns with Whickham on August 2, 2025, at Heritage Park, Auckland, England. For the Extra Preliminary Round in the FA Cup 2025-26, the moment of truth.

Previous Rivalry

Bishop Auckland has been showcasing slow and steady performances in the past year. On April 19, 2025, they beat Brighouse Town 3-0 at home.

Whickham has been a notable turn in the FA Cup because of a strong performance and reaching the second qualifying round. After wins over Garforth Town, Hebburn Town, and Armthorpe Welfare. As we conclude, Bishop Auckland will rise first in their upcoming matches.