2026–27 FA Cup qualifying rounds

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The 2026–27 FA Cup qualifying rounds open the 146th edition of the FA Cup, the world's oldest association football single knockout competition, organised by The Football Association, the governing body for the sport in England. 651 teams in the 5th to 9th tier of English football will compete across six rounds for 32 spots in the First round proper.

CountryEngland
Wales
Dates7 August – 17 October 2026
Teams651
Quick facts Tournament details, Country ...
2026–27 FA Cup qualifying rounds
Tournament details
CountryEngland
Wales
Dates7 August – 17 October 2026
Teams651
2027–28 
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Eligibility

The qualifying rounds are the point of entry into the FA Cup for all "non-League" teams—teams below the top four tiers of English football, and therefore outside the English Football League (EFL). These teams compete in leagues below the EFL which constitute the National League System. The number of teams entered in the FA Cup overall is 743, a drop from 747 teams in 2025–26.[1]

Calendar

More information Round, Main date ...
Round Main date[2] Leagues entering this round[1] New entries this round Winners from the previous round Number of fixtures Prize fund
Losing club Winning club
Extra preliminary round8 August 2026Level 9
Level 8
(32 newly promoted clubs and
91 lowest ranked clubs by points per game from 25/26)
438None219£375£1,125
Preliminary round22 August 2026Level 8
(Remaining clubs)
53219136£481£1,444
First qualifying round5 September 2026Level 788136112£750£2,250
Second qualifying round19 September 2026National League North
National League South
4811280£1,125£3,375
Third qualifying round3 October 2026None08040£1,875£5,625
Fourth qualifying round17 October 2026National League244032£3,125£9,375
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Extra preliminary round

The draw for the extra preliminary round was made on 3 July 2026.[3]

More information Tie, Home team (Tier) ...
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Preliminary round

The draw for the preliminary round was made on 3 July 2026.[3]

More information Tie, Home team (Tier) ...
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Notes

  1. (9) represents teams allocated to divisions at the 9th tier of English football (otherwise known as Step 5 of the National League System). (8) represents the 8th tier (Step 4 NLS).
  2. The match was abandoned during the second half due to persistent issues with the floodlights (the score was 0–1 when the match was abandoned).
  3. Marske United awarded a walkover due to Boro Rangers withdrawing from the competition.

References

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