FA Cup and FA Trophy information

The FA has released information on their competitions for the new season, with full details on the format, round dates and the prize fund to be confirmed on Monday.

In the FA Cup, the intention is to retain the 736 participating clubs in the competition as per previous seasons.

Due to the current format, a number of clubs at step 3 and 4 will be required to enter the competition at a different stage to other clubs competing at the same level.

For the 2020-21 season there will be 15 Clubs at Step 3 required to enter the Competition in the Preliminary Round instead of receiving exemption to the First Round Qualifying.

This shall comprise of four Clubs from three of the four Step 3 Leagues, plus a further three Clubs from the other Step 3 League.

There will be 18 Clubs at Step 4 required to enter the Competition in the Extra Preliminary Round instead of receiving exemption to the Preliminary Round.

This shall comprise of three Clubs from four of the Step 4 Leagues, plus two Clubs from each of the remaining Step 4 Leagues. Draws shall be conducted for each Step 3 and 4 League to determine which Clubs shall enter the Competition from the Extra Preliminary Round to the First Round Qualifying.

Competition Draws & Rules

The date for when the draws for the first two rounds and the Rules of each Competition will be available will be confirmed in the notification on Monday 3 August.

Competition Rounds

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round: Tuesday, 1st September 2020
FA Cup Preliminary Round: Saturday, 12th September 2020

FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round: Tuesday, 22nd September 2020

FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round: Saturday, 26th September 2020
FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round: Saturday, 17th October 2020

The above information is correct at the time of writing but remains subject to change.