FA Cup 3rd Round Draw – Full Fixtures, Dates & TV Guide
The FA Cup third round proper draw for the 2025‑26 season was conducted on Monday 8 December 2025, bringing together 64 teams from across English football. With all 20 Premier League clubs entering the competition, the draw produced a range of intriguing ties, including Wrexham against Nottingham Forest and Macclesfield FC versus Crystal Palace. The full list of fixtures, ball numbers, broadcast details and key dates are set out below, based on information from The FA, BBC Sport and other official sources.
The draw was held live on BBC One just before the second‑round match between Brackley Town and Burton Albion. It followed the usual format of 64 balls representing the teams that have reached this stage: 20 from the Premier League, 24 from the Championship and 20 from the lower divisions. The third‑round matches are scheduled to take place between Thursday 8 January and Monday 12 January 2026.
What are the FA Cup 3rd Round Draw Results?
Monday 8 December 2025
Approx. 7:00 PM GMT
BBC One & BBC iPlayer
8–12 January 2026
- The third round proper marks the entry of all 20 Premier League and 24 Championship clubs into the FA Cup.
- The draw was held on 8 December 2025 after the final second‑round tie was completed.
- All 32 ties will be played over a five‑day window in January 2026, with replays possible for drawn matches.
- Notable matchups include Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest, Everton vs Sunderland, and Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace.
- Manchester City recorded the biggest scoreline of the round so far, beating Exeter City 10‑1.
- Lower‑league clubs such as Macclesfield FC, Wealdstone and Brackley Town (or Burton Albion) are among the participants.
- Broadcast coverage is split between BBC Sport, TNT Sports, Discovery+ and ESPN+.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | Emirates FA Cup 2025‑26 |
| Round | Third Round Proper |
| Draw Date | 8 December 2025 |
| Broadcaster (UK) | BBC Sport |
| Match Window | 8–12 January 2026 |
| Total Teams | 64 (20 Premier League, 24 Championship, 20 from lower divisions) |
| Number of Ties | 32 |
| Ball Numbers Published | Yes, by The FA and multiple clubs |
| Draw Format | 64 balls, no seeding |
When Are the FA Cup 3rd Round Matches Played?
The third‑round proper matches are scheduled to take place across a five‑day period from Thursday 8 January to Monday 12 January 2026. The exact kick‑off times for each fixture have yet to be announced by broadcasters. The round straddles a weekend, with matches on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
FA Cup 3rd Round Fixture Dates
The FA has confirmed that the round will begin on Thursday 8 January and conclude on Monday 12 January. Replays, if required, would be scheduled shortly after the initial matches, depending on fixture congestion. The fourth round draw is expected to take place once the third round has been completed.
Some matches may be moved for television or police reasons. The full schedule with confirmed kick‑off times is expected to be announced by BBC and TNT Sports closer to the match dates.
How to Watch the FA Cup 3rd Round Draw and Matches
In the United Kingdom, the third‑round draw was broadcast live on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer. The same channels will show selected matches live during the match window. TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) also holds rights to a number of ties, broadcast via TNT Sports 1 and the Discovery+ streaming service. Viewers in the United States can watch on ESPN+.
FA Cup 3rd Round Draw Live Stream
The draw itself was available to watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. For international audiences, the draw was also streamed on the official FA YouTube channel and various sports platforms.
TV Channel for Matches
BBC One and iPlayer will carry a selection of third‑round matches, including the standout tie between Macclesfield FC and Crystal Palace. TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ are showing additional live games such as Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest. Many other matches will be available via Discovery+ / ESPN+ or as highlights on BBC.
Who Is in the FA Cup 3rd Round Draw? Ball Numbers and Teams
All 64 teams were assigned ball numbers before the draw. The Premier League clubs were numbered 1 to 20 (Bournemouth, Arsenal, Aston Villa, etc.), while lower‑league teams were numbered 44 to 64. The full list was published by The FA and confirmed by multiple clubs, including Wealdstone FC.
Ball Numbers List
The following ball numbers were used: 1. Bournemouth, 2. Arsenal, 3. Aston Villa … 44. Wrexham, 45. Macclesfield … 58. Brackley Town or Burton Albion, 59. Blackpool … 64. Bristol Rovers. The full list is available from the official FA third round draw article.
Ball number 44 (Wrexham) and ball 45 (Macclesfield) produced two of the most eye‑catching ties. Macclesfield, a club that reformed only a few years ago, drew Crystal Palace and went on to win 2‑1 at home in the third round.
When Is the FA Cup 4th Round Draw?
The fourth round draw is expected to take place in mid‑January 2026, shortly after the third round matches have been completed. The exact date has not yet been announced by The FA. The fourth round proper itself is scheduled for the weekend of 14 February 2026, according to the official round‑dates page on The FA website.
When are the key dates for the FA Cup 2025‑26 season?
Below is a timeline of important FA Cup rounds for the 2025‑26 season, based on The FA’s official schedule.
- – First Round Qualifying
- – Second Round Qualifying
- – Third Round Qualifying
- – Third Round Proper Draw
- – Third Round Proper Matches
- – Fourth Round Draw (likely after third round)
- – Fourth Round Proper (scheduled)
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the third round?
Established information
- The FA Cup third round draw was held on 8 December 2025.
- Ball numbers and all 32 ties have been released.
- Match dates are scheduled for 8–12 January 2026.
- BBC will broadcast selected ties live.
Uncertain details
- Exact kick‑off times and full TV selections for each match have not yet been announced.
- Future round draw dates (4th round, 5th round, etc.) are yet to be confirmed by The FA.
- Whether replays will be held (if needed) may depend on fixture congestion.
The FA has not yet confirmed whether third‑round replays will be played if matches end in a draw. Replays have been used in previous seasons, but fixture congestion in January could lead to changes.
Why is the FA Cup third round significant?
The FA Cup third round is the stage where the Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition. It creates the possibility of giant‑killing acts, as lower‑league teams face top‑flight opposition. The 2025‑26 draw includes all 20 Premier League sides, making it one of the most anticipated rounds of the season. The draw was broadcast free‑to‑air on BBC, continuing a long tradition of accessible coverage. Clubs from lower divisions, such as Wealdstone and Macclesfield, are among the participants, hoping to cause an upset.
Where can I find official FA Cup third round information?
The most authoritative sources for the FA Cup third round draw are the official FA website and BBC Sport. Below are direct quotes from these sources.
“The third round proper will take place across the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January 2026, with details on the full schedule to be…”
The FA – Official Third Round Draw Results
“The FA Cup third round will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.”
BBC Sport – FA Cup Third Round Draw
“The draw will take place on Monday 8 December, ahead of the final second‑round tie between Brackley Town…”
Chelsea FC – How to Watch and Ball Numbers
What should fans know about the FA Cup third round draw?
The 2025‑26 FA Cup third round draw has been made, with all 32 ties set. The matches will be played from 8 to 12 January 2026, and the fourth round draw is expected shortly after. Fans can find the full fixture list on the official FA website and BBC Sport. For a complete overview of the season, see the FA Cup 2025-26 Full Schedule and the FA Cup 4th Round Draw 2026 Guide.
Frequently asked questions about the FA Cup third round draw
What time is the FA Cup 3rd round draw?
The draw took place at approximately 7:00 PM GMT on Monday 8 December 2025.
How many teams are in the FA Cup 3rd round?
64 teams – 20 from the Premier League, 24 from the Championship, and 20 from lower divisions.
Where can I find the full FA Cup 3rd round fixture list?
The official FA website (thefa.com) and BBC Sport have published the full list.
Is the FA Cup 3rd round draw live on TV?
Yes, it was broadcast live on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer.
When were the FA Cup 3rd round ball numbers announced?
Ball numbers were released ahead of the draw on 8 December 2025.
Which Premier League teams are in the FA Cup 3rd round?
All 20 Premier League teams entered the competition at this stage, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Can I watch FA Cup 3rd round matches outside the UK?
International viewers can watch on ESPN+ (USA) and other local broadcasters. Some matches are available via Discovery+ globally.
What is the biggest shock in the 3rd round so far?
Macclesfield FC beating Crystal Palace 2‑1 at home is considered the biggest upset of the round.
When does the FA Cup 4th round start?
The fourth round proper is scheduled for the weekend of 14 February 2026.
Where can I see the ball numbers for the draw?
The full ball numbers list is available on the official FA website and was also published by clubs like Chelsea and Wealdstone.
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