2020–21 FA Cup
The 2020–21 FA Cup (also known as the Football Association Challenge Cup) is the 140th edition of the oldest football tournament in the world. It is sponsored by Emirates and known as The Emirates FA Cup for sponsorship purposes. The winner qualifies for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League group stage.
Football Association Challenge Cup | |
Country | England Guernsey Wales |
---|---|
Dates | 1 September 2020 – 15 May 2021 |
Teams | 737 (all) 645 (qualifying competition) 124 (main competition) |
Defending champions | Arsenal |
← 2019–20 2021–22 → |
Delay and scheduling
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the previous season's competition was delayed, with the final played roughly three months late, on 1 August 2020. [1] In a normal year, the FA Cup would start in August, but with the previous season finishing late, the start of the 2020–21 FA Cup will also be delayed to 1 September 2020.[2] [3]
Contrary to initial specualtion that the 2020–21 FA Cup would be reduced in size,[4] on 25 July 2020, the FA confirmed that lower league teams would be able to compete in the competition, with 737 teams accepted (out of 889 entrants), actually representing an increase of two teams on the previous season.[5][6]
All eligible teams at step 5 of the National League System (and above) were accepted into the competition, with the remaining places given to clubs at step 6. In previous seasons step 6 clubs have been given access to the Extra Preliminary Round based on their league position, but due to the cancellation of these leagues in 2019–20, the places for these teams was allocated by a random draw instead.[6]
Round and draw dates
Planned dates for the early qualifying rounds were released to clubs in the National League System in late July,[2][7] and confirmed by the FA on the 3rd August 2020.[8] With replays removed from all rounds.[8] Some qualifying rounds are scheduled for Tuesdays rather than the usual Saturday.
Phase | Round | Draw date | Draw venue | First match date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qualifying rounds | Extra Preliminary Round | 18 August 2020 | 1 September 2020 | [8] | |
Preliminary Round | 12 September 2020 | ||||
First Round Qualifying | 22 September 2020 | ||||
Second Round Qualifying | 3 October 2020 | ||||
Third Round Qualifying | 13 October 2020 | ||||
Fourth Round Qualifying | 24 October 2020 | ||||
Main tournament | First Round Proper | 7 November 2020 | |||
Second Round Proper | 28 November 2020 | ||||
Third Round Proper | 9 January 2021 | ||||
Fourth Round Proper | 23 January 2021 | ||||
Fifth Round Proper | 10 February 2021 | ||||
Quarter-finals | 20 March 2021 | ||||
Semi-finals | 17 April 2021 | ||||
Final | 15 May 2021 |
Rules changes
To fit into a truncated schedule for the 2020–21 season, replays were removed from the competition.[8] The prize fund has been reduced, with figures returning to those last used in the 2017–18 FA Cup.[8]
Qualifying rounds
All of the competing teams that are not members of either the Premier League or English Football League will compete in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 32 available places in the First Round Proper. The qualifying competition is scheduled to begin with the Extra Preliminary Round on 1 September 2020. [2]
Prize fund
Round | Fate | Number of Teams | Amount |
---|---|---|---|
Extra Preliminary Round | winners | 184 | £1,125 |
losers | 184 | £375 | |
Preliminary Round | winners | 160 | £1,444 |
losers | 160 | £481 | |
First Round Qualifying | winners | 117 | £2,250 |
losers | 117 | £750 | |
Second Round Qualifying | winners | 80 | £3,375 |
losers | 80 | £1,125 | |
Third Round Qualifying | winners | 40 | £5,625 |
losers | 40 | £1,875 | |
Fourth Round Qualifying | winners | 32 | £9,375 |
losers | 32 | £3,125 | |
First Round Proper | winners | 40 | £22,629 |
Second Round Proper | winners | 20 | £34,000 |
Third Round Proper | winners | 32 | £82,000 |
Fourth Round Proper | winners | 16 | £90,000 |
Fifth Round Proper | winners | 8 | £180,000 |
Quarter Final | winners | 4 | £360,000 |
Semi Final | losers | 2 | £450,000 |
winners | 2 | £900,000 | |
Final | winners | 1 | £1,800,000 |
runners-up | 1 | £900,000 | |
Total | £15,921,160 |
References
- "Provisional schedule for restarted 2019–20 Emirates FA Cup campaign agreed". The Football Association. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "FA Cup And FA Trophy Information". Northern Premier League. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- Bayliss, Ollie. "Tweet posted July 27th 2020". Twitter. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "St Helens clubs may be excluded from 2020/21 FA Cup". St Helens Reporter. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "The FA Emirates Cup Entries - Accepted" (PDF). The FA. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "FA Cup: 2020–21 competition will maintain its existing structure". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- Goodard, Ben. "Hereford FC to start competitive action with FA Cup tie". Hereford Times. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "Emirates FA Cup 2020-21 details confirmed including round dates, prize fund and more". FA. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "THE EMIRATES FA CUP SEASON 2020-2021 PRIZE FUND PAYMENTS" (pdf). Retrieved 3 August 2020.