FA Cup First Round Draw 2026: Time, TV Channel & Dates

For fans of lower-league and non-league clubs, the FA Cup first round proper is the moment the competition truly comes alive. It is when teams from the EFL’s lower divisions finally enter the draw, often landing glamorous ties against sides many times their size.

First Round Proper date: 7 November 2026 · Draw broadcaster: TNT Sports (UK) · Draw time (2025-26): 6:30pm BST · Teams entering: 80

The table below summarises the key details for the 2026-27 Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper.

What time is the FA Cup first round draw?

The first round draw typically takes place in late October, around three to four weeks before the First Round Proper matches are played. For the 2025-26 season, the draw was held on Monday 13 October 2025 at approximately 6:30pm BST. Based on the established pattern, the 2026-27 first round draw is expected to follow a similar timeline in late October 2026, though The FA has not yet confirmed the exact date.

Exact time for the 2026-27 draw

While the precise timing for the upcoming season’s draw has not been announced, recent precedents suggest a start time of around 6:30pm BST. The Football Association has historically scheduled these events for early-to-mid evening, balancing viewer accessibility with production requirements. Fans should monitor The FA’s official website for confirmed timings as the season approaches.

Time zone and BST note

All draw times are listed in British Summer Time (BST). Viewers outside the UK should convert accordingly, accounting for their local time zone. BBC Sport notes that all listed times are UK time and subject to change, so it is worth checking closer to the event for any adjustments.

The implication: fans in other time zones need to plan ahead, as a 6:30pm BST start translates to different local times worldwide.

What channel is FA Cup draw on?

TNT Sports holds the exclusive UK rights to broadcast the FA Cup first round draw live. For the 2025-26 season, the draw was aired on TNT Sports 1, with coverage also available via the discovery+ streaming platform and TNT Sports’ YouTube channel at no additional cost. While BBC shares rights to show selected First Round Proper matches, the draw itself is exclusively on TNT Sports.

TV broadcast options (TNT Sports, BBC)

TNT Sports provides the primary live broadcast of the draw on its linear channel TNT Sports 1. The broadcaster’s deal includes exclusive rights to the draw ceremony itself, differentiating it from BBC’s package, which covers match highlights and selected fixtures. TalkSPORT’s live blog also offers an audio and digital alternative for fans following the event.

Online streaming via discovery+ and BBC iPlayer

For viewers who prefer streaming, the draw is available live on discovery+ (subscription required) and was also streamed on TNT Sports’ official YouTube channel for the 2025-26 season. BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website provide coverage of selected First Round Proper matches, though not the draw itself. Regional media outlets, such as Manchester Evening News, frequently publish detailed how-to-watch guides with local club ball numbers alongside their coverage.

TNT Sports held exclusive UK live rights to broadcast the First Round draw itself, even though BBC shared rights to show selected First Round matches. Coverage of the 2025 FA Cup First Round draw described the start time as approximately 6:30pm BST, with TNT Sports 1 carrying the broadcast and streaming available via discovery+ and TNT Sports’ YouTube channel at no cost.

— Manchester Evening News – FA Cup first round draw viewing guide

When is the FA Cup semifinal draw?

The FA Cup semifinal draw typically takes place after the quarter-final matches have been completed, usually in March or April. Unlike the first round draw, the semifinal draw is broadcast live on both BBC and ITV, giving fans multiple options for following the ceremony. The timing ensures that the four remaining clubs are known before the draw takes place.

Expected timing for the semi-final draw

Based on historical patterns, the 2026-27 semifinal draw is expected to occur in April 2026, following the quarter-final fixtures. BBC Sport will carry the draw live alongside ITV, marking a notable difference from the first round, which remains exclusively on TNT Sports.

How it differs from the first round draw

The semifinal draw is notable for its broader broadcast reach. While the first round draw focuses on lower-league and non-league clubs entering the competition, the semifinal draw involves Premier League and Championship clubs that have progressed through multiple rounds. BBC Sport’s season guide confirms the broadcast split, with both BBC and ITV sharing rights to this stage of the competition.

What this means: the semifinal draw gives fans more viewing flexibility, while the first round draw remains harder to access for those without TNT Sports.

What are the FA Cup draw dates?

The FA Cup calendar spans from early qualifying rounds through to the final at Wembley. The 2026-27 season follows a structured progression, with the First Round Qualifying scheduled for 5 September 2026, building toward the First Round Proper on 7 November 2026.

Full calendar of draw rounds for 2026-27

The FA’s official round-dates page confirms the following sequence: Extra Preliminary Round on 8 August 2026, Preliminary Round on 22 August 2026, First Round Qualifying on 5 September 2026, Second Round Qualifying on 19 September 2026, First Round Proper on 7 November 2026, and Second Round Proper on 5 December 2026. Subsequent rounds continue through to the final.

Key dates from qualifying to final

The journey from the extra preliminary round to the final takes approximately nine months. After the First Round Proper, clubs progress through the Second Round Proper (December), Third Round Proper (January, where Premier League and Championship clubs enter), Fourth Round, Fifth Round, quarter-finals, semifinals, and finally the final in May. Groundhopper Guides provides an overview aligning with these official dates.

The FA states that the First Round Qualifying for the 2026-27 FA Cup is scheduled for Saturday 5 September 2026, followed by the Second Round Qualifying on Saturday 19 September 2026. The First Round Proper follows on 7 November 2026.

— The FA – Emirates FA Cup round dates 2026-27

The pattern: clubs that survive all four qualifying rounds earn the right to face EFL opposition in November, making the September qualifying period critical for non-league sides.

Is the FA Cup on BBC or ITV?

Both BBC and ITV hold rights to broadcast FA Cup matches, though their coverage differs in scope. TNT Sports holds exclusive live rights to the first round draw itself, while BBC and ITV share rights to selected matches throughout the competition.

Current broadcast rights breakdown

The 2025-26 FA Cup TV rights deal allocated 14 live matches per season to BBC Sport and a larger package to TNT Sports. BBC’s package includes two live matches per round up to and including the quarter-finals, plus one semi-final and the final. TNT Sports carries the majority of live coverage, with shared matches from the Third Round onwards. Wikipedia’s coverage of the 2025-26 FA Cup details this split.

Live matches vs. highlight shows

BBC’s coverage typically combines live matches with comprehensive highlight packages. For the 2025 First Round, BBC showed Brackley Town v Notts County on Saturday at 17:30 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, and Eastleigh v Walsall on Sunday at 14:15. TNT Sports, by contrast, focuses on live coverage, with Friday night and early Saturday fixtures often selected for broadcast.

BBC coverage of the 2025 First Round included Brackley Town v Notts County on Saturday at 17:30 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, and Eastleigh v Walsall on Sunday at 14:15 on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport digital platforms.

— BBC Sport – FA Cup First Round viewing guide

FA Cup first round draw timeline

The path from qualifying rounds to First Round Proper matches follows a predictable schedule. Here is what to expect in the 2026-27 season.

The timeline below shows the progression from qualifying through to the first round matches.

The pattern is clear: qualifying rounds dominate September and October, with the First Round Proper draw typically scheduled for late October, three to four weeks before the matches. This gives clubs time to prepare and fans time to organise travel for potential big ties.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Understanding what we know for certain versus what is still to be confirmed helps set realistic expectations.

The implication: While the match date is set in stone, the draw timing follows a pattern rather than a fixed calendar date, meaning fans should watch for The FA’s official announcement in the weeks ahead. Broadcast rights appear stable for now, but any future changes would reshape how fans access the draw.

How the draw works and what to expect

The FA Cup first round draw is unseeded, meaning any club can be drawn against any other club. For the 2025-26 season, clubs from EFL League One and League Two entered the competition alongside teams that had progressed through the four qualifying rounds. The draw combines 48 EFL clubs with 32 non-league sides, creating the potential for headline-grabbing ties between minnows and giants.

The draw is typically conducted at a studio event, with representatives from participating clubs in attendance. TNT Sports broadcasts the ceremony live, and presenters read out ball numbers in sequence. Each club is assigned a ball number that corresponds to their position in the draw, and regional outlets like Manchester Evening News often publish local clubs’ ball numbers alongside the draw coverage.

Where to follow the draw and matches

For fans planning to watch, multiple platforms offer coverage. TNT Sports 1 is the primary destination for the live draw, with discovery+ providing the main streaming option. TNT Sports’ YouTube channel has also offered free streams for recent draws, making it accessible to a broader audience.

BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website complement the coverage with live streams of selected First Round Proper matches. For those preferring audio, talkSPORT’s dedicated FA Cup draw programmes provide a radio alternative. The BBC Sport FA Cup scores and fixtures page lists all upcoming matches, though it notes that times are subject to change.

For international viewers, ESPN+ carries FA Cup coverage in the United States, while other territories may have their own rights holders. Groundhopper Guides offers an overview of international broadcast options.

Fans should also check their clubs’ official websites and social media channels for the latest information on ball numbers, ticket details, and any last-minute schedule changes. BBC notes that it is not responsible for changes to kick-off times, reinforcing the importance of staying informed through official club communications.

For non-league clubs like those who progress through qualifying, the First Round Proper represents a financial and reputational windfall. Television revenue, increased matchday income, and nationwide exposure can transform a club’s season, making the draw itself a moment of genuine tension and excitement.

The first round draw remains one of the most anticipated moments in the English football calendar precisely because it levels the playing field. When a team from the seventh tier draws a Premier League club, supporters of lower-league sides get a rare chance to see their club face household names under the floodlights.

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Frequently asked questions