Extra Preliminary Round
The Emirates FA Cup begins with the first qualifying step of the 2026/27 competition.
English cup
FA Cup 2026/27 Dates
FA Cup 2026/27 dates with every round from the Extra Preliminary Round to the 2027 final at Wembley.
At a glance
Core dates and planning notes
- Competition starts
- Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Third Round Proper
- Saturday, January 9, 2027
- Semi Final
- Saturday, April 24, 2027
- Final
- Saturday, May 22, 2027 at Wembley
Timeline
Date map
Preliminary Round
Early-round clubs continue the path toward the qualifying rounds.
First Round Qualifying
The qualifying stage moves into September before the wider autumn schedule fills up.
Second Round Qualifying
The second qualifying round lands just before the expanded FIFA international window.
Third Round Qualifying
FA Cup qualifying continues during the first heavy domestic and international calendar turn.
Fourth Round Qualifying
The final qualifying round sets the field for the competition proper.
First Round Proper
The competition proper begins, bringing more professional clubs into the draw.
Second Round Proper
The last round before Premier League and Championship clubs enter arrives in early December.
Third Round Proper
The traditional headline round arrives in January, with top-flight clubs entering the FA Cup.
Fourth Round Proper
The fourth round sits between winter league fixtures and the start of UEFA knockouts.
Fifth Round Proper
The competition narrows before the late-season quarter-final stage.
Quarter Final
The quarter-finals arrive after the March international window.
Semi Final
The semi-finals decide who reaches Wembley in May.
Final
The FA lists the 2026/27 final for Saturday, May 22, 2027 at Wembley Stadium.
Guide
How this fits the 2026/27 season
Why the FA Cup dates matter
The FA Cup gives the 2026/27 football calendar a domestic knockout layer. Its January third round, April semi-final and May final are the dates most likely to affect Premier League match planning.
The January checkpoint
The Third Round Proper on January 9 is the first FA Cup date many global fans look for because Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition.
How to follow updates
Use this page for confirmed round dates, then check The FA fixtures page when individual ties, kick-off times, TV selections and replays are added.
Related calendars
More football calendar pages
Season overview
Football Calendar 2026/27 Key Dates
Scan the dates that shape the club season: league starts, UEFA nights, international windows and cup finals.
League CupEFL Cup 2026/27 Dates
Track the Carabao Cup round dates, Premier League entry points and Wembley final.
Club seasonPremier League 2026/27 Calendar
Track the first post-World-Cup Premier League season, from opening weekend to final day.
European nightsChampions League 2026/27 Dates
Follow UEFA dates from qualifying in July to the final at Estadio Metropolitano.
National teamsInternational Breaks 2026/27 Calendar
Map the FIFA release windows that interrupt the club season after World Cup 2026.
FAQ
Common questions
When does the FA Cup 2026/27 start?
The FA Cup 2026/27 starts with the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
When is the FA Cup Third Round Proper in 2026/27?
The FA Cup Third Round Proper is scheduled for Saturday, January 9, 2027.
When is the 2027 FA Cup final?
The 2026/27 FA Cup final is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2027 at Wembley Stadium.