FA Cup 2020-21: It is the FA’s intention to retain 736 participating Clubs in the Competition as per previous seasons

The Football Association has issued the following statement:

 

“On Monday 3 August 2020, Clubs shall be notified of the following information for each of The Emirates FA Cup, The Buildbase FA Trophy, The Buildbase FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup Competitions;

– List of Clubs accepted
– List of Clubs to receive exemption
– Competition Format
– Round Dates
– Prize Fund

The Emirates FA Cup – Step Six Clubs to be accepted

For the 2020-21 season it is the FA’s intention to retain 736 participating Clubs in the Competition as per previous seasons. This is the maximum number of Clubs that can be accommodated in the Competition under the current structure.

In total there has been 889 applications received for the 2020-21 Competition, thus meaning it is oversubscribed. In previous seasons when the Competition has been oversubscribed, acceptance into the Competition from Clubs at Step Six of The FA National League System, who applied to enter the Competition, has been determined based on a Points Per Game average taken across all Step Six Leagues from the preceding season.

However, as all Step Six Leagues were declared null and void, and results expunged for the 2019-20 season, draws shall be conducted for each Step Six League to determine which Clubs at Step Six of The FA National League system, who applied to enter the Competition, shall be accepted in the Competition.

The Emirates FA Cup – Step Three and Four Clubs receiving exemptions

Similar to the 2019-20 Competition, due to the current format of the Competition a number of Clubs at Step Three and Four of The FA National League System shall be required to enter the Competition at a different stage to other Clubs competing at the same level.

For the 2020-21 season there will be 15 Clubs at Step Three required to enter the Competition in the Preliminary Round instead of receiving exemption to the First Round Qualifying. This shall comprise of four Clubs from three of the four Step Three Leagues, plus a further three Clubs from the other Step Three League.

There will be 18 Clubs at Step Four required to enter the Competition in the Extra Preliminary Round instead of receiving exemption to the Preliminary Round. This shall comprise of three Clubs from four of the Step Four Leagues, plus two Clubs from each of the remaining Step Four Leagues. Draws shall be conducted for each Step Three and Four League to determine which Clubs shall enter the Competition from the Extra Preliminary Round to the First Round Qualifying.

Competition Draws & Rules

The date for when the draws for the first two rounds and the Rules of each Competition will be available will be confirmed on Monday 3 August.

Competition Rounds

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round: Tuesday 1 September 2020
FA Cup Preliminary Round: Saturday 12 September 2020
FA Cup First Qualifying Round: Tuesday 22 September 2020

FA Trophy First Qualifying Round: Saturday 26 September 2020
FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round: Saturday 17 October 2020

The above information is correct at the time of writing but remains subject to change.”

Visit The Football Association’s website: www.thefa.com