One trophy. A knockout competition open to eligible clubs from across the English football pyramid.
The road to Wembley
The competition begins with the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Rounds, followed by four qualifying rounds. The First Round Proper is followed by the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Rounds, the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final.
When clubs enter
Lower-league clubs begin in qualifying, with entry points set by The FA each season. National League clubs enter at the Fourth Round Qualifying. League One and League Two clubs join in the First Round Proper; Premier League and Championship clubs enter in the Third Round Proper.
The draw
Qualifying draws are regionalised. The competition proper is an open draw, without league-based seeding: clubs can face opponents from any division still in the competition. The first club drawn is normally the home side, except for the Wembley Semi-Finals and Final.
Drawn matches & replays
Normal time is two 45-minute halves, plus added time. In qualifying, a drawn match is replayed, normally at the away club's ground. If the replay is level after 90 minutes, there are two 15-minute halves of extra time, then a penalty shoot-out if needed.
There are no replays from the First Round Proper onwards. A drawn tie goes straight to extra time and, if the scores are still level, penalties. This also applies to the Final.
Substitutions
Teams can use up to five substitutes, with a sixth allowed in extra time. In qualifying, clubs may name up to seven substitutes; in the competition proper, up to nine.
In the proper rounds, the five substitutions must fit within three in-play substitution opportunities. Half-time does not count. Extra time provides an additional opportunity, and unused opportunities carry over. Additional concussion substitutions follow the separate IFAB protocol.
VAR
VAR is used in competition-proper matches designated by The FA. Its deployment is decided for the season; the competition rules do not guarantee VAR at every ground or in every round.
Official regulations
This guide summarises the men's FA Cup format and the published 2026–27 regulations. Eligibility, registrations, disciplinary matters and exceptional arrangements are governed by The FA; the official rulebook takes precedence.
Read The FA's official competition rules