The race for one of football’s most prestigious domestic trophies continues as attention turns to the FA Cup quarter-final draw for the 2025/26 season.
After an intense fifth round that saw several major clubs advance, the competition will soon be narrowed down to the final eight teams still dreaming of lifting the famous trophy at Wembley.
Here is everything fans need to know about the FA Cup quarter-final draw, including the date, time, teams involved, and how to watch the event live.
FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw Date and Time
The FA Cup quarter-final draw has been scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026.
The draw will take place at approximately 7:05pm GMT (2:05pm ET) and will be conducted just before kickoff of the final fifth-round fixture between West Ham and Brentford, which begins at 7:30pm GMT.
By staging the draw during live match coverage, fans will immediately learn the matchups that will determine the final four teams in this year’s competition.
The event will be hosted by Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, while former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will conduct the draw by selecting the teams from the pot.
How to Watch the FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw
Fans around the world will have multiple ways to follow the quarter-final draw live.
In the United Kingdom, the draw will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and streamed through discovery+. Viewers in the United States can watch the event via ESPN+, which also holds the broadcast rights for FA Cup matches.
Additionally, the draw will be streamed for free on TNT Sports’ official YouTube channel and social media platforms, allowing supporters across the globe to tune in easily.
International broadcasters covering the FA Cup include BBC in the UK, Sportsnet in Canada, Stan Sport in Australia, SuperSport across Sub-Saharan Africa, Astro in Malaysia, and beIN Sports throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Teams in the FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw
Several Premier League heavyweights remain in contention heading into the FA Cup quarter-final draw, alongside a few potential surprise contenders from lower divisions.
Ball numbers for the draw have already been confirmed, with the following teams placed into the pot:
Southampton enter the draw after edging Fulham in the fifth round, while Manchester City and Arsenal also secured convincing victories to maintain their pursuit of silverware.
Liverpool and Chelsea progressed with strong performances as well, ensuring multiple title contenders remain in the competition.
Three ties are still awaiting final results before the draw is completed. Those include Port Vale vs Sunderland, Leeds United vs Norwich City, and West Ham vs Brentford, meaning the final list of eight teams will only be confirmed shortly before the draw takes place.
When the FA Cup Quarter-Final Matches Will Be Played
Once the FA Cup quarter-final draw is completed, the remaining teams will have roughly a month to prepare for their next fixtures.
The quarter-final matches are scheduled to take place between April 3 and April 6, 2026, though exact dates and kickoff times will be determined by television selections and broadcast scheduling.
These fixtures will determine which four clubs progress to the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium, one step away from the final.
FA Cup 2026 Continues to Deliver Drama
Now in its 145th edition, the FA Cup remains one of the most celebrated competitions in world football.
The tournament’s unique format allows clubs from every level of the English football pyramid to compete, often producing unforgettable moments when underdogs defeat top-flight teams in classic “giant-killing” encounters.
The FA Cup quarter-final draw therefore represents another pivotal stage in the competition, where dreams of Wembley glory begin to feel closer than ever.
With clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea still in the mix, the upcoming draw promises to deliver some fascinating potential matchups as the battle for the 2026 FA Cup title intensifies.
