The FA Cup has once again delivered drama, giant-killings and heavyweight clashes as England’s most historic competition unfolds across its 145th edition. From non-league dream runs to Premier League heavyweights entering the fray, the FA Cup 2025-26 continues to justify its status as one of football’s most prestigious and unpredictable tournaments.
Below is the full round-by-round guide to the FA Cup 2025-26, including key results, major upsets, broadcast details and what lies ahead.
FA Cup 2025-26 Third Round Shock and Heavyweight Statements
The third round of the FA Cup saw Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition, and the drama unfolds in style.
Crystal Palace’s defence of the trophy ended abruptly in one of the competition’s most stunning results when non-league Macclesfield FC secured a 2-1 victory. The upset showed again the enduring appeal of the FA Cup, where status offers no guarantees.
Manchester City produced the most emphatic performance of the round, dismantling Exeter City 10-1, while Liverpool eased past Barnsley 4-1. Arsenal defeated Portsmouth 4-1 and Chelsea crushed Charlton Athletic 5-1, signalling serious intent from traditional powerhouses.
Elsewhere, Manchester United fell 2-1 to Brighton, a result that left the Manchester club in just one competition for the rest of the season, having been surprisingly kicked out of the EFL Cup by Grimsby Town earlier this season. Wrexham also advanced in dramatic fashion, defeating Nottingham Forest on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The third round, therefore, once again demonstrated why the FA Cup remains a competition built on both prestige and peril.
FA Cup 2025-26 Fourth Round: Premier League Momentum Builds
The fourth round intensified the competition as surviving lower-league sides sought further heroics.
Manchester City overcame Salford City 2-0, Liverpool brushed aside Brighton 3-0, and Newcastle United defeated Aston Villa 3-1 in one of the standout ties. Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Hull City further strengthened their campaign.
Wrexham continued their memorable run with a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town, while Mansfield Town stunned Burnley with a 2-1 victory, continuing the underdog narrative central to the FA Cup.
Leeds United advanced after a penalty shootout victory over Birmingham City following a 1-1 draw, while Southampton edged Leicester City 2-1 in another competitive contest.
The fourth round narrowed the field to 16 teams, sharpening focus on the latter stages of this season’s FA Cup.
FA Cup 2025-26 Fifth Round and Road to Wembley
The fifth-round draw is scheduled for February 16, 2026, with fixtures set for early March. Eight ties will determine the quarter-final lineup as the FA Cup edges closer to Wembley.
With several Premier League contenders still involved and a handful of lower-league sides defying expectations, the fifth round promises both tactical battles and emotional storylines.
Quarter-finals will follow on April 4, semi-finals at Wembley on April 25, and the FA Cup 2025-26 final is set for May 16, 2026.
FA Cup 2025-26 Broadcast and Viewing Information
In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports, discovery+ and the BBC share broadcasting rights for the FA Cup 2025-26. TNT Sports provides extensive coverage from the early rounds onward, while the BBC broadcasts selected ties, including the final.
In the United States, ESPN holds exclusive rights to the FA Cup this season, with matches available across ESPN network channels and streaming platforms.
Global access ensures that the drama of the FA Cup 2025-26 remains widely accessible to fans across continents.
FA Cup 2025-26 Prize Money Breakdown
Financial incentives continue to reward progress through the FA Cup rounds. First-round winners receive £45,000, with prize money escalating significantly in later rounds.
The final remains the most lucrative stage, offering £2 million to the winners and £1 million to the runners-up. A team entering in the first round and winning the FA Cup 2025-26 could accumulate more than £4 million in total prize earnings.
For Premier League entrants beginning in the third round, the maximum attainable prize fund stands just below £4 million.
The Enduring Prestige of the FA Cup 2025-26
The FA Cup continues to blend tradition with volatility. From Macclesfield’s historic triumph over Crystal Palace to dominant displays from Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, the competition has delivered both shock and authority in equal measure.
As the road narrows toward Wembley, the FA Cup 2025-26 remains defined by its unpredictability and heritage. In a football landscape dominated by league campaigns and continental ambitions, this tournament still offers something unique and unexpected. With the fifth round approaching and the quarter-finals looming, the FA Cup stands poised for more shocks and stuns.
