FA Cup 2025-26 First Round: Key Dates, Fixtures, and What to Expect

FA Cup 2025-26 First Round: Key Details

The 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup kicks into high gear on Saturday, 1 November, with 80 teams battling for glory across 40 first-round fixtures. This stage marks the entry of all League One and League Two clubs alongside 32 non-league survivors from the qualifying rounds.

Tournament Structure Breakdown

48 EFL teams (24 from League One, 24 from League Two)
32 non-league qualifiers from National League and lower divisions
Premier League/Championship clubs enter at Third Round (10 January)

Breaking Down the First-Round Fixtures

Key matchups to watch:

Luton Town vs Forest Green Rovers: Post-draw drama as Rovers qualified after the draw
Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town: Championship vs League One clash
Non-league spotlight: Farnham Town/Sutton United vs AFC Telford United

Full fixture highlights:	Home Team	Away Team
Weston-super-Mare	Aldershot Town
Salford City	Lincoln City
Tranmere Rovers	Stockport County
Bolton Wanderers	Huddersfield Town
Blackpool	Scunthorpe United

FA Cup Round Dates for 2025-26 Season

Round	Date
First Round	1 November
Second Round	6 December
Third Round	10 January
Fourth Round	14 February
Quarter-finals	4 April
Semi-finals	25 April
Final	16 May

Tournament Context & Rules

Loan player restriction: Loanees cannot face parent clubs until quarter-finals
Prize money: First-round winners earn £41,000
Broadcast: Selected games air on BBC Sport and BT Sport

Historic note: This marks the 154th edition of the world's oldest national football competition, with first-round matches staged at 40 grounds across England.

Road to Wembley Begins

Non-league clubs like Gainsborough Trinity and Spennymoor Town aim to create giant-killing moments, while EFL teams seek momentum before league commitments intensify. The magic of the cup returns with its unique blend of professional grit and grassroots romance.