FA Cup and FA Trophy round dates confirmed for 2025/26

FA Cup

In the FA Cup, the NPL Premier Division sides come in at the first round qualifying stage which takes place on Saturday 30 August.

At Step 4, some clubs enter in the extra preliminary round (Saturday 2 August) and the rest in the preliminary round (Saturday 16 August).

A total of 127 Step 4 clubs across the National League system will enter in the extra preliminary round, which incorporates all of the newly promoted clubs from Step 5 and the 95 lowest ranked Step 4 clubs not relegated, including 12 clubs from the three NPL Step 4 leagues.

The NPL Step 4 clubs who join in the preliminary round are: Anstey Nomads, Avro, Basford United, Belper Town, Blyth Spartans, Carlton Town, Chasetown, Congleton Town, Corby Town, Dunston, Emley, Long Eaton, Matlock Town, Mickleover, Nantwich Town, Newton Aycliffe, Sporting Khalsa, Stalybrdige Celtic, Vauxhall Motors.

The draws for the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds will be released on Friday 4 July.

Extra preliminary round - Saturday 2 August 2025

Preliminary round - Saturday 16 August 2025
First round qualifying - Saturday 30 August 2025

Second round qualifying - Saturday 13 September 2025

Third round qualifying - Saturday 27 September 2025

Fourth round qualifying - Saturday 11 October 2025

First round proper - Saturday 1 November 2025

Second round proper - Saturday 6 December 2025

Third round proper - Saturday 10 January 2026

Fourth round proper - Saturday 14 February 2026

Fifth round proper - Saturday 7 March 2026

Quarter-final - Saturday 4 April 2026

Semi-final - Saturday 25 April 2026

Final - Saturday 16 May 2026

FA Trophy

In the FA Trophy, the Step 4 clubs all go in at the preliminary round stage on , while the Step 3 teams come in at third round qualifying, which takes place on Saturday 4 October.

The draws for the preliminary round and first round qualifying will be released on Friday 4 July.

Preliminary round - Saturday 23 August 2025

First round qualifying - Saturday 6 September 2025
Second round qualifying - Saturday 20 September 2025

Third round qualifying - Saturday 4 October 2025

First round proper - Saturday 25 October 2025

Second round proper - Saturday 15 November 2025

Third round proper - Saturday 13 December 2025

Fourth round proper - Saturday 10 January 2026

Fifth round proper - Saturday 31 January 2026

Sixth round proper - Saturday 28 February 2026

Semi-final - Saturday 28 March 2026

Final - Sunday 17 May 2026