Preview
By Chris Roberts
Published on 10th November 2026. Last updated on 10th November 2026.
When is the FA Cup final? Saturday 22 May 2027 at Wembley Stadium.
When do Premier League clubs enter? The third round, on the weekend of Saturday 9 January 2027.
Who are the holders? Manchester City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2026 final.
Who is favourite to win the FA Cup? Arsenal lead the FA Cup 2026/27 odds at 15/4, ahead of Man City at 19/4. Prices correct as of 9 November 2026.
Arsenal are favourites to win the 2026/27 FA Cup at 15/4. The full outright market is on our FA Cup odds page.
Team
Odds to win the FA Cup
Arsenal
15/4
Man City
19/4
Liverpool
11/2
Man Utd
7/1
Chelsea
8/1
Tottenham
14/1
Prices correct as of 9 November 2026 and subject to change.
As well as fixed odds, you can trade the FA Cup with football spread betting, including spread markets on total goals in a round / winning team performance.
The second round is played on the weekend of Saturday 5 December 2026, and the third round draw is expected on Monday 7 December. That is when the 20 Premier League and 24 Championship clubs go into the hat, with ties on the weekend of 9 January 2027.
Round
Weekend of
Second round
Saturday 5 December 2026
Third round
Saturday 9 January 2027
Fourth round
Saturday 13 February 2027
Fifth round
Saturday 6 March 2027
Quarter-finals
Saturday 3 April 2027
Semi-finals (Wembley)
Saturday 24 April 2027
Final (Wembley)
Saturday 22 May 2027
There are no replays from the first round onwards, so every tie is settled on the day, with extra time and penalties if needed.
The third round is when the FA Cup’s famous shocks usually happen, as lower-league and non-league sides get their shot at Premier League clubs. Some of the best-remembered upsets:
Season
Giant-killing
Why it stands out
1971/72
Hereford United 2-1 Newcastle United
Non-league Hereford won a third round replay, with Ronnie Radford’s long-range equaliser
1987/88
Wimbledon 1-0 Liverpool
The “Crazy Gang” beat the league champions in the final
1988/89
Sutton United 2-1 Coventry City
Non-league Sutton knocked out the 1987 FA Cup winners in the third round
1991/92
Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal
Bottom-division Wrexham beat the reigning league champions in the third round
2012/13
Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City
Wigan won the final in the same season they were relegated
2014/15
Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City
League One Bradford came from 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge
2016/17
Lincoln City reach the quarter-finals
First non-league side to reach the last eight in over a century, beating Burnley away
2023/24
Maidstone United 2-1 Ipswich Town
Sixth-tier Maidstone beat the Championship side to reach the fifth round
2025/26
Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace
With 117 places between the sides, this was the biggest upset in the competition’s history by league position, made all the more remarkable by Crystal Palace being the holders.
With Premier League and Championship clubs entering in January, the 2026/27 third round draw will set up the next round of possible upsets.
Manchester City are the holders after beating Chelsea 1-0 in the 2026 final, Antoine Semenyo scoring the only goal. It was their eighth FA Cup.
Winner
Final
Manchester City
1-0 v Chelsea
2024/25
Crystal Palace
1-0 v Manchester City
Manchester United
2-1 v Manchester City
2022/23
2-1 v Manchester United
2021/22
0-0 v Chelsea (6-5 on penalties)
2020/21
Leicester City
2019/20
2-1 v Chelsea
2018/19
6-0 v Watford
2017/18
1-0 v Manchester United
FA Cup records: Arsenal have won the FA Cup more times than anyone, with 14 titles, followed by Manchester United on 13. Arsène Wenger won it a record seven times as Arsenal manager, and Ashley Cole holds the record for most winner’s medals as a player, with seven. Manchester City have now reached four finals in a row.
When is the FA Cup third round draw?
The third round draw is expected on Monday 7 December 2026, after the second round weekend. Premier League and Championship clubs enter at this stage.
When is the FA Cup third round?
The weekend of Saturday 9 January 2027.
When is the FA Cup final?
Saturday 22 May 2027 at Wembley Stadium.
Who won the FA Cup last season?
Manchester City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2026 final.
Who has won the FA Cup the most times?
Arsenal, with 14 FA Cup wins. Manchester United are second with 13.
See the latest prices on our FA Cup odds page.or find out how football spread betting works by reading our spread betting guide.
Remember that with spread betting, get the bet wrong and losses can exceed your stake/deposit so it's important you understand how each market works before setting an appropriate stake size for your bet.
Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All prices and information are accurate as of 4pm on 9 November 2026.
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