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.

2020–21 FA Cup
Football Association Challenge Cup
CountryEngland
Guernsey
Wales
Dates1 September 2020 – 15 May 2021
Teams737 (all)
645 (qualifying competition)
124 (main competition)
Defending championsArsenal
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

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References

  1. "Provisional schedule for restarted 2019–20 Emirates FA Cup campaign agreed". The Football Association. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  2. "FA Cup And FA Trophy Information". Northern Premier League. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  3. Bayliss, Ollie. "Tweet posted July 27th 2020". Twitter. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  4. "St Helens clubs may be excluded from 2020/21 FA Cup". St Helens Reporter. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  5. "The FA Emirates Cup Entries - Accepted" (PDF). The FA. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  6. "FA Cup: 2020–21 competition will maintain its existing structure". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  7. Goodard, Ben. "Hereford FC to start competitive action with FA Cup tie". Hereford Times. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  8. "Emirates FA Cup 2020-21 details confirmed including round dates, prize fund and more". FA. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  9. "THE EMIRATES FA CUP SEASON 2020-2021 PRIZE FUND PAYMENTS" (pdf). Retrieved 3 August 2020.
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