FA Cup 2025-26 season kicks off with knockout drama and Wembley dreams
The Emirates FA Cup for the 2025-26 season will run from August 2025 to May 2026. As the world's oldest football knockout competition, it brings together clubs from every level of English football—from Premier League giants to grassroots non-league sides. All matches follow a simple rule: lose once, and the team is out for the year. The tournament begins with preliminary rounds before the professional clubs join in Round One. Premier League and Championship teams enter later, at the Third Round stage, often in early January. Each tie is a single knockout game, with no second chances for defeated sides.
Wembley Stadium hosts the final, a tradition that draws huge crowds and television audiences. Viewers can follow the action across TNT Sport, BBC, and ITV Sport, with the final typically broadcast on both BBC and ITV. Betting on the competition remains popular, with platforms like bet365 offering markets for match results, first goal scorers, and in-play wagers. The site also provides options for correct scores, over/under goals, and predicting the overall winner.
The FA Cup's 2025-26 schedule spans nearly ten months, from the first preliminary games to the Wembley showpiece. With over 150 years of history, it remains a key event in English football, open to every club in the country. Broadcasts and betting markets ensure fans can engage with the competition throughout the season.
