The Emirates FA Cup Third Round 2026-27 takes place over the first weekend of January 2027, when all 20 Premier League clubs and the 24 Championship sides enter the world’s oldest national cup competition. Third Round weekend is traditionally one of the most-anticipated dates in the English football calendar, providing giant-killing opportunities for lower-league clubs and a first taste of knockout football for top-flight giants.
What is the FA Cup Third Round?
The FA Cup is an annual knockout competition for English football clubs, first contested in 1871-72 and run by The Football Association. The competition begins in August with the Extra Preliminary Round and progresses through Qualifying Rounds, Round One Proper and Round Two before the Third Round weekend, which is the first stage at which Premier League and Championship clubs join the draw. Sixty-four clubs compete in the Third Round, with 32 ties producing the Fourth Round line-up.
Third Round weekend has a special place in English football. The opportunity for a non-league or lower-league club to host or visit a Premier League side creates some of the competition’s most celebrated moments. Unseeded draws, one-off ties and no replays after a goalless draw in regulation time make the weekend unpredictable and compelling.
When is the FA Cup Third Round 2026-27?
The Third Round of the 2026-27 Emirates FA Cup is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 2 January 2027, with matches played between Friday 1 January and Monday 4 January. A selected Friday night game typically opens the round, with the bulk of fixtures on Saturday and Sunday plus a Monday night televised tie. The FA confirms exact kick-off times and broadcaster selections in mid-December.
Where is the FA Cup Third Round 2026-27?
Matches are played at the home grounds of the clubs drawn first in each tie. Third Round venues range from Premier League stadiums such as the Etihad, Anfield and the Emirates to smaller non-league grounds and Championship and League One venues across England and Wales. Unlike most cup competitions, the FA Cup draw is fully unseeded, which means a Premier League club can be drawn at a non-league venue, preserving the romance of the competition.
Key Contenders
The Premier League’s established powers, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, head the list of favourites alongside the holders from the 2025-26 final. Lower-league sides often cause the headline upsets of Third Round weekend, and clubs from the National League and below regularly attract national attention with a cup run. The winner of the 2026-27 FA Cup earns automatic qualification for the 2027-28 UEFA Europa League.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, FA Cup Third Round matches are broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and TNT Sports, with highlights on BBC Match of the Day. In the United States, coverage is carried by ESPN, ESPN+ and Univision. Canadian viewers can watch on Sportsnet, Australian fans on Paramount+, and international coverage is distributed by BBC Sport and TNT Sports affiliates across Europe, Africa and Asia. Radio coverage in the UK is provided by BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
History and Records
The FA Cup is the oldest association football competition in the world, dating back to 1871-72 when Wanderers won the inaugural final. Arsenal hold the record for most FA Cup wins with 14 titles. Memorable Third Round upsets include Sutton United’s 2-1 win over Coventry City in 1989, Wrexham’s 2-1 victory against Arsenal in 1992 and Lincoln City becoming the first non-league side to reach the Fifth Round in 103 years during the 2016-17 campaign. The romance of the FA Cup rests heavily on the Third Round’s capacity for surprise.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for FA Cup Third Round matches are sold through the home clubs’ ticket offices, typically going on sale shortly after the draw in early December. Prices vary sharply depending on the host, from around 10 to 20 pounds at non-league and lower-division venues to 40 pounds or more at Premier League grounds. Ties featuring a Premier League visitor at a smaller club often sell out within hours of going on general sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the FA Cup Third Round 2026-27?
The weekend of Saturday 2 January 2027, with matches spread between Friday 1 January and Monday 4 January.
Where are FA Cup Third Round matches held?
At the home grounds of whichever clubs are drawn first in each tie, across England and Wales.
How can I watch the FA Cup Third Round?
Live on BBC One and TNT Sports in the UK, and on ESPN and ESPN+ in the United States.
Who won the FA Cup last season?
The winner of the 2025-26 FA Cup Final enters the competition as holder and enters the draw at the Third Round stage.