FA Cup Replays Eliminated for 2025-26 Season
Replays will not be utilized during the full rounds of the 2025-26 FA Cup campaign.
Traditionally, if an FA Cup match ended in a draw before the semi-finals, the teams would meet again in a replay to determine which side would advance. However, last season saw the abolition of replays during the full rounds of the competition, and the FA has decided to maintain this policy for the upcoming season.
Replays were still employed during the qualifying rounds of this season, with seven matches in the final qualifying round requiring replays. Notably, three of these were won by teams from lower divisions against their higher-ranked opponents.
Starting from the first round, any matches that conclude in a draw will proceed to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout will follow.
The FA announced this decision in April 2024, stating that there was a consensus among all parties on the necessity to eliminate replays. "The removal of Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in early meetings, and all parties agreed that they could not continue," the FA explained at the time. "Discussions then shifted towards how to strengthen all competitions while managing fewer available dates and prioritizing player welfare."
In response, the English Football League (EFL) expressed that they were not consulted on this decision, which they claim was made solely between the Premier League and the FA.
This article is part of BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything initiative.