Monday evenings in December rarely feel this consequential for football fans. The moment the third-round ball drops, 64 clubs — from Premier League giants to plucky non-league survivors — discover who stands between them and the next stage of the world’s oldest cup competition. For the 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup, that draw falls on Monday 8 December 2025, with fixtures then scheduled for the weekend of 10 January 2026.
Draw date: Monday 8 December 2025 · Broadcast: TNT Sports 1, Discovery+, TNT Sports YouTube · Teams: 64 clubs · Match weekend: 10–11 January 2026
Quick snapshot
- The draw takes place Monday 8 December 2025 (Chelsea FC)
- Starts at approximately 6:40pm–6:45pm UK time (Crystal Palace FC)
- Live on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ (Chelsea FC)
- Exact kick-off times for third-round ties until TV picks are announced
- Dates for subsequent round draws (fourth round, fifth round)
- Whether BBC carries the draw itself on any platform
- Fourth-round draw typically follows within days of third-round completion (FourFourTwo)
- TV schedule selections will determine rescheduled kick-off times (FourFourTwo)
- FA Cup final scheduled for 16 May 2026 at Wembley (FourFourTwo)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Draw date | Monday 8 December 2025 |
| Approximate start time | 6:40pm–6:45pm UK time |
| Broadcast (UK) | TNT Sports 1, Discovery+, TNT Sports YouTube |
| Total teams in draw | 64 clubs |
| Number of ties | 32 ties |
| Match weekend | 10–11 January 2026 |
| FA Cup final | 16 May 2026, Wembley Stadium |
| Draw hosts | Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist (TNT Sports) |
What time is the FA Cup third round draw?
The draw is scheduled for Monday 8 December 2025, beginning at approximately 6:40pm UK time. According to club announcements from Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace FC, the draw precedes the second-round tie between Brackley Town and Burton Albion. TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher and former striker Ally McCoist conduct the draw live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage also available via Discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Watch on television
TNT Sports holds exclusive live TV rights for the draw in the UK. Viewers with a TNT Sports subscription through Sky, Virgin Media, or Discovery+ can watch on TNT Sports 1. The channel is part of the TNT Sports package available through most UK pay-TV providers, with Discovery+ offering a streaming alternative for those without traditional cable.
Stream online
Free streaming is available via the TNT Sports YouTube channel, where the draw was broadcast live to anyone with an internet connection. Discovery+ also carries the coverage as part of its streaming platform, though a subscription is required.
Follow live updates
The FA’s official website and social media channels post draw results in real time. BBC Radio 5 Live also reports draw outcomes as they happen, providing an audio option for fans unable to watch video coverage.
If you have a YouTube account, watching the TNT Sports stream costs nothing — no subscription required. The draw typically lasts 20–30 minutes, making it a low-commitment way to catch all 32 pairings as they’re announced.
How can I watch the FA Cup third round draw?
The primary option for UK viewers is TNT Sports 1, which broadcast the draw live. Discovery+ provides a streaming alternative for subscribers, while the TNT Sports YouTube channel offered a free live stream. FourFourTwo’s TV guide confirms that TNT Sports/HBO Max serve as the primary pay-TV home for FA Cup coverage during the 2025-26 season, with the BBC showing select matches on a non-exclusive basis.
Is the FA Cup third round draw on BBC?
BBC Sport did not carry the draw on television. According to club sources, only TNT Sports provided live TV coverage of the draw itself. However, BBC Radio 5 Live reported draw results as they happened, and BBC Sport’s website and app published the full fixture list immediately after the draw concluded. The BBC’s television coverage of the FA Cup typically begins with third-round match highlights, not the draw event itself.
What are the ball numbers for the FA Cup third round draw?
Ball numbers 1 through 64 were published by the FA and club communications ahead of the draw. Chelsea received ball number 11, while Crystal Palace held ball number 13. The full list, as reproduced by both clubs, shows ball numbers 1–10 allocated to: AFC Bournemouth (1), Arsenal (2), Aston Villa (3), Birmingham City (4), Blackburn Rovers (5), Brentford (6), Brighton & Hove Albion (7), Bristol City (8), Burnley (9), and Charlton Athletic (10).
| Ball Number | Club |
|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Bournemouth |
| 2 | Arsenal |
| 3 | Aston Villa |
| 4 | Birmingham City |
| 5 | Blackburn Rovers |
| 6 | Brentford |
| 7 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 8 | Bristol City |
| 9 | Burnley |
| 10 | Charlton Athletic |
| 11 | Chelsea |
| 13 | Crystal Palace |
The ball numbers determine the draw order, but they carry no weighting — every club has an equal chance regardless of division. The drama comes from which Premier League clubs draw lower-league opponents and which face each other in this wildcard round.
What are the fixture dates for the FA Cup third round?
Third-round matches are scheduled for the weekend of 10–11 January 2026, with games likely to run from Thursday through Monday to accommodate broadcaster requirements. Groundhopper Guides confirms the third-round main date as 10 January 2026, matching the published fixture calendar from the FA and participating clubs.
Crystal Palace clarifies that ties level after 90 minutes go to 30 minutes of extra time, then a penalty shootout if still level — no replays apply at the third-round stage. Some matches will be moved from their original weekend slots for television coverage, with exact kick-off times confirmed once TV selectors announce their picks.
TV selections typically arrive 2–3 weeks before the scheduled weekend. If your club drawn on 8 December appears in a high-profile tie, expect a Monday or Sunday kick-off rather than Saturday at 3pm — the traditional blackout slot reserved for matches not selected for broadcast.
How does the FA Cup third round draw work?
The third round marks the stage where all 20 Premier League and 24 Championship clubs enter the competition alongside 20 winners from the second round, creating a 64-team field. The draw is conducted entirely at random — there is no seeding, meaning a top-flight club could face another Premier League side or an eighth-tier non-league minnow in the same pot.
As explained by Crystal Palace and Goal, the draw process involves selecting balls one by one until all 32 ties are formed. The first club drawn picks its opponent from the remaining balls. If a club has already progressed from an earlier round (like Brackley Town or Burton Albion), their ball appears with both names until that second-round tie is resolved — that club’s number then participates in the draw as ball number 58.
How many teams enter the FA Cup at the third round?
Exactly 64 clubs compete in the third round: 20 Premier League teams, 24 Championship clubs, and 20 second-round winners from lower divisions. According to Chelsea FC, the 20 Premier League and 24 Championship sides enter at the third round, joining lower-league sides that have already come through earlier qualifying and first and second-round ties.
FA Cup third round draw: timeline of key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 December 2025 | FA announces draw details (date, time, broadcast) |
| 8 December 2025 | FA Cup third round draw live |
| 8–9 December 2025 | Full fixture schedule announced |
| 10–11 January 2026 | Third round matches played |
| 16 May 2026 | FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium |
Who enters the FA Cup in the third round?
Premier League and Championship clubs enter at the third round, creating the competition’s most dramatic stage. World Soccer Talk describes the FA Cup as a single-elimination tournament where earlier rounds can feature replays for drawn matches, though replays are eliminated by the third round — extra time and penalties decide tied matches.
Groundhopper Guides notes that there are 14 rounds total in the FA Cup, counting preliminary and qualifying rounds through to the final. The third round is historically when big clubs enter, often facing lower-league opposition in what supporters call the “giant-killing” round of the competition.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed
- Draw date: Monday 8 December 2025
- Approximate start time: 6:40pm–6:45pm UK time
- Live on TNT Sports 1, Discovery+, TNT Sports YouTube
- 64 clubs competing in 32 ties
- Third-round matches scheduled for 10–11 January 2026 weekend
- Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist conducting the draw
Unclear
- Exact kick-off times for third-round matches until TV picks announced
- Whether BBC carries any draw coverage on its digital platforms
- Dates for fourth-round and fifth-round draws
- Full international broadcast details for regions outside UK and US
“The Emirates FA Cup third round is one of the most exciting moments of the season — when Premier League and Championship clubs join the competition and the draw throws up some fascinating ties.”
— FA spokesperson, via Chelsea FC
“For our fans, the third round is where the real journey begins. We enter alongside the biggest clubs in England, and anything can happen.”
— Crystal Palace club statement
International viewing options
For viewers outside the UK, the FA has partnered with international broadcasters to distribute FA Cup coverage. According to World Soccer Talk and FourFourTwo, ESPN holds FA Cup media rights in the United States through 2028, with matches available on ESPN+ streaming. Australian fans can watch via Stan Sport, which took over rights from Optus Sport for the 2025-26 season. The FA’s global broadcast partners page confirms that coverage varies by territory, and viewers are directed to check local listings.
The draw itself was streamed internationally via the TNT Sports YouTube channel and ESPN platforms where available. For the actual third-round matches in January 2026, international viewers should consult their regional broadcaster’s published schedule to confirm kick-off times and channel assignments.
Summary
The FA Cup third-round draw on Monday 8 December 2025 gave 64 clubs their fate for the January fixture weekend. TNT Sports handled the UK broadcast, with free streaming via YouTube, while international viewers accessed coverage through ESPN+, Stan Sport, and other regional partners. For fans of Premier League clubs drawn against lower-league opponents, the weekend of 10 January 2026 offers the first real test of whether giant-killing folklore will write a new chapter this season — or whether the topflight sides cruise through to round four without drama.
Related reading: Wembley View From My Seat · Crystal Palace FC Schedule 2025/26
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For a complete list of every tie, ball numbers, and broadcast details, see our full FA Cup third round draw coverage for the 2025-26 season.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the FA Cup 3rd round draw?
The draw was scheduled for approximately 6:40pm–6:45pm UK time on Monday 8 December 2025, broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and available via streaming on Discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Is the FA Cup third round draw on BBC?
No. The BBC did not carry the draw on television. BBC Radio 5 Live reported results as they happened, and BBC Sport published the fixture list digitally, but the draw itself aired only on TNT Sports platforms.
How can I watch the FA Cup draw online?
Free online streaming was available via the TNT Sports YouTube channel. Discovery+ subscribers could also watch via the streaming platform, and the FA’s official website carried live text updates and results.
What are the ball numbers for the FA Cup third round?
Ball numbers 1–64 were published by the FA ahead of the draw. Chelsea held ball 11, Crystal Palace ball 13, with balls 1–10 allocated to AFC Bournemouth, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Brentford, Brighton, Bristol City, Burnley, and Charlton Athletic respectively.
When are the FA Cup third round fixtures?
Third-round matches were scheduled for the weekend of 10–11 January 2026, with games potentially spread from Thursday to Monday to accommodate TV coverage requirements.
Who enters the FA Cup in the third round?
All 20 Premier League clubs, all 24 Championship clubs, and 20 second-round winners from lower divisions enter the competition at the third round, creating a 64-club field competing in 32 ties.
How does the FA Cup third round draw work?
The draw is unseeded and entirely random. Balls are drawn one by one until all 32 pairings are formed. The first club drawn selects from remaining balls until every club has a tie. No weighting or protection based on league position applies.
William Sondergaard
Fact-Checking Editor — William Sondergaard reviews football facts, biographical details, competition records, and historical claims before publication. He helps ensure that sensitive or disputed information is handled carefully and that corrections are reviewed promptly.