Understanding FA Cup First Round Rules and Match Formats
After six qualifying rounds, we have finally reached the first round proper of the FA Cup! This stage marks a major turning point in the oldest national football competition in the world, bringing together clubs from various tiers of the English football pyramid to fight for a place in the next round.
Clubs from League One and Two are now joining the competition as 40 ties will take place this weekend. These lower-league teams merge with the survivors of the arduous qualifying rounds, setting up dramatic encounters across the country.
Premier League and Championship clubs don't enter the FA Cup until the third round, which takes place on the weekend of Saturday, January 9 2027. Until then, the early rounds provide lower-tier sides and non-league hopefuls a chance to shine on a national stage.
Notable Teams Competing in the FA Cup First Round
2021 winners Leicester are in the first round of the competition this year after dropping down to the third tier last season, and they face Oxford City tonight. This fixture highlights the unpredictable nature of football promotion and relegation, bringing a former Premier League champion into the early stages of the cup.
It is the first time the Foxes will face a non-league side since 2008, when they beat Stevenage 3-0. Such matches capture the true magic of the tournament, pitting professional giants against community-focused semi-professional outfits.
Wigan, who won the FA Cup in 2013 against Manchester City, face a trip to National League Boreham Wood this weekend as the Tics look to keep their dream of returning to Wembley alive. These historical narratives enrich the competition, reminding fans of past giant-killings and improbable trophy lifts.
Do FA Cup 1st Round Ties Go to Extra Time or Straight to Penalties?
FA Cup first round ties go to extra-time if the scores are level after 90 minutes. Players and coaching staff must prepare for the physical toll of an extended match if a winner cannot be found during normal time.
The rules come from replays being scrapped in the 2024/25 season as part of an agreement between the FA and the Premier League. This structural shift permanently altered how ties are resolved across every round of the tournament.
Replays were an integral part of the competition for over 150 years, but after the expansion of Uefa's club competitions, fixture congestion was a key reason for them being removed. Governing bodies faced mounting pressure to ease the calendar burden on elite players involved in European fixtures.
The Controversy and Financial Impact of Scraping Replays
It was a controversial decision when announced, with the traditions of the competition being changed and smaller clubs arguing that replays could be a vital source of income if they were drawn a trip to a big stadium. For lower-league and non-league outfits, hosting a lucrative replay at a packed home ground or earning a share of gate receipts from a trip to a massive stadium often formed a crucial part of their annual financial planning.
The loss of these secondary fixtures forced clubs to adapt their financial strategies and rely more heavily on league performance, sponsorships, and deep cup runs that end in victory rather than a drawn stalemate.
It means every game must be decided on the day, and so extra-time is used throughout the FA Cup. Fans attending these fixtures are guaranteed a definitive result before leaving the stadium.
What Happens If Scores Remain Level After Ninety Minutes
If the game is a draw after 90 minutes, here is what happens:
- 30 minutes of extra-time split into two 15-minute periods.
- If still level, a penalty shootout will determine a winner.
The implementation of extra-time ensures that both teams have an equal opportunity to secure a victory through open play before the high-pressure environment of a penalty shootout decides the fate of the tie.
Historical Context of the FA Cup and Modern Adjustments
Established in the nineteenth century, the FA Cup has undergone numerous transformations to keep pace with the modern sports industry. While traditionalists often mourn the loss of replays, the current format guarantees that every single match reaches its dramatic conclusion within a single afternoon or evening.
As the tournament progresses toward the third round in January, the survivor pool shrinks, paving the way for elite top-flight squads to enter the fray. Until then, the focus remains squarely on the grit and determination displayed by lower-division competitors battling through extra-time and penalties.
