2025–26 Women's FA Cup|
| Country | England
Wales |
|---|
| Dates | 24 August 2025 – 31 May 2026 |
|---|
| Defending champions | Chelsea |
|---|
|
The 2025–26 Women's FA Cup will be the 56th staging of the Women's FA Cup, a knockout cup competition for women's football teams in England. Chelsea are the defending champions, having beaten Manchester United 3–0 in the 2025 final on 18 May 2025.[1]
Teams
A total of 538 teams were accepted into the 2025–26 Women's FA Cup, an increase of 24 from the previous year.[2] A preliminary round was introduced with 190 tier 7 teams competing, and 159 tier 6 regional first division teams given an exemption until the first qualifying round. 93 tier 5 teams were given an exemption until the second round qualifying stage. The 48 teams that play in the FA Women's National League Division One (tier 4) were given exemption until third round qualifying. Teams in the Northern and Southern Premier Divisions (tier 3) entered at the first round proper, and the 12 Women's Super League 2 teams (tier 2) entered at the third round proper. The final teams to enter the competition, the 12 Women's Super League teams (tier 1), entered at the fourth round.[3]
| Round |
Clubs
remaining |
Clubs
involved |
Winners from
previous round |
Games played |
Goals scored |
Prize money[4]
|
| Winner |
Loser
|
| Preliminary round |
538 |
46 |
– |
22 |
|
£600 |
£150
|
| First round qualifying |
515 |
326[a] |
23 |
163 |
|
£1,800 |
£450
|
| Second round qualifying |
352 |
256[b] |
163 |
128 |
|
£3,000 |
£750
|
| Third round qualifying |
224 |
176[c] |
128 |
88 |
|
£4,000 |
£1,000
|
| First round |
136 |
112[d] |
88 |
56 |
|
£6,000 |
£1,500
|
| Second round |
80 |
56 |
56 |
28 |
|
£8,000 |
£2,000
|
| Third round |
52 |
40[e] |
28 |
20 |
|
£35,000 |
£9,000
|
| Fourth round |
32 |
32[f] |
20 |
16 |
|
£54,000 |
£13,000
|
| Fifth round |
16 |
16 |
16 |
8 |
|
£80,000 |
£20,000
|
| Quarter-final |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
|
£90,000 |
£22,500
|
| Semi-final |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
£160,000 |
£40,000
|
| Final |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
£430,000 |
£108,000
|
Preliminary round
The competition started at the preliminary round with games to be played on 24 August 2025, and made up of 46 teams from the seventh-tier county division football leagues.
| Tie |
Home team (tier) |
Score |
Away team (tier) |
Att.
|
| 1 |
Darlington (7) |
– |
Heaton Hawks (7) |
|
| 2 |
Carlisle United (7) |
– |
GT7 (7) |
|
| 3 |
Whitehaven (7) |
– |
West Allotment Celtic (7) |
|
| 4 |
Gateshead Leam Rangers (7) |
– |
Gateshead (7) |
|
| 5 |
Stocksbridge Park Steels (7) |
– |
Cherry Burton (7) |
|
| 6 |
Oughtibridge War Memorial (7) |
– |
Grimsby Borough (7) |
|
| 7 |
Witton Albion (7) |
– |
Skipton Town (7) |
|
| 8 |
Maghull (7) |
– |
Southport (7) |
|
| 9 |
Harpole (7) |
– |
Boston Town (7) |
|
| 10 |
Higham Town (7) |
– |
Matlock Town (7) |
|
| 11 |
Kirby Muxloe (7) |
– |
Birstall United (7) |
|
| 12 |
Allscott Heath (7) |
– |
Broseley (7) |
|
|
| Tie |
Home team (tier) |
Score |
Away team (tier) |
Att.
|
| 13 |
Aylsham (7) |
– |
Ramsey & Mistley (7) |
|
| 14 |
Sprowston (7) |
H–W |
King’s Lynn Town (7) |
|
| King’s Lynn Town withdrew.
|
| 15 |
Islington Borough (7) |
– |
London Academicals (7) |
|
| 16 |
AFC Welwyn (7) |
– |
Garston (7) |
|
| 17 |
Tonbridge Angels (7) |
– |
AFC Croydon Athletic (7) |
|
| 18 |
Marlborough Town (7) |
– |
Yateley United (7) |
|
| 19 |
Millbrook (7) |
– |
Horsham (7) |
|
| 20 |
Pen Mill (7) |
– |
Ridgeway (7) |
|
| 21 |
Bristol Brunel (7) |
– |
Iron Acton (7) |
|
| 22 |
St Agnes (7) |
– |
Kilkhampton (7) |
|
| 23 |
Signal Box Oak Villa (7) |
– |
Bradworthy (7) |
|
|
First round qualifying
The 163 matches of the second round qualifying will be played on 7 September 2025. This round includes the introduction of 160 teams from the sixth-tier regional first division football leagues.
| Tie |
Home team (tier) |
Score |
Away team (tier) |
Att.
|
| 1 |
Washington (6) |
– |
Guisborough Town (7) |
|
| 2 |
Northallerton Town (7) |
– |
Carlisle United (7) / GT7 (7) |
|
| 3 |
Whitehaven (7) / West Allotment Celtic (7) |
– |
Redcar Town (6) |
|
| 4 |
i2i International (6) |
– |
Boldon CA (7) |
|
| 5 |
Cramlington United (7) |
– |
Hartlepool United (6) |
|
| 6 |
CLS Amazons (7) |
– |
Gateshead Rutherford (6) |
|
| 7 |
Penrith (6) |
– |
Boro Rangers (7) |
|
| 8 |
Birtley Town (6) |
– |
Knaresborough Town (7) |
|
| 9 |
Bishop Auckland (7) |
– |
Park View (6) |
|
| 10 |
Gateshead Leam Rangers (7) / Gateshead (7) |
– |
Harrogate Railway (7) |
|
| 11 |
Hebburn Town (7) |
– |
Darlington (7) / Heaton Hawks (7) |
|
| 12 |
Wigginton Grasshoppers (7) |
– |
Consett (6) |
|
| 13 |
Hartlepool Pools Youth (6) |
– |
Stockton Town (6) |
|
| 14 |
Handsworth (6) |
– |
Beverley Town (7) |
|
| 15 |
Rossington Main (6) |
– |
Oughtibridge War Memorial (7) / Grimsby Borough (7) |
|
| 16 |
Lower Hopton (6) |
– |
AFC Preston (7) |
|
| 17 |
North Ferriby (7) |
– |
Grimsby Town (6) |
|
| 18 |
Kiveton Park (7) |
– |
Elloughton Blackburn (7) |
|
| 19 |
Wyke Wanderers (7) |
– |
Dinnington Town (7) |
|
| 20 |
Chesterfield (6) |
– |
Leeds Medics & Dentists (7) |
|
| 21 |
Sherburn White Rose (7) |
– |
Sheffield United Community Foundation (6) |
|
| 22 |
Bottesford Town (7) |
– |
Leeds Modernians (6) |
|
| 23 |
Ilkley Town (6) |
– |
Brigg Town (7) |
|
| 24 |
FC Farsley (7) |
– |
AFC Tickton (7) |
|
| 25 |
Chanterlands (7) |
– |
Dronfield Town (6) |
|
| 26 |
Stocksbridge Park Steelers (7) / Cherry Burton (7) |
– |
Cleethorpes Town (6) |
|
| 27 |
Sheffield Wednesday (6) |
– |
Forge Way (7) |
|
| 28 |
Inglemire (7) |
– |
Millmoor Juniors (6) |
|
| 29 |
Wirral Phoenix (6) |
– |
Blackburn Eagles (7) |
|
| 30 |
Nantwich Town (6) |
– |
Lymm Rovers (7) |
|
| 31 |
Colne (7) |
– |
Radcliffe (6) |
|
| 32 |
Runcorn Linnets (6) |
– |
Pilkington (6) |
|
| 33 |
Mossley Hill (6) |
– |
Chester (6) |
|
| 34 |
Morecambe (6) |
– |
AFC Crewe (6) |
|
| 35 |
Witton Albion (7) / Skipton Town (7) |
– |
Ashton Town (6) |
|
| 36 |
Rochdale (6) |
– |
MSB Woolton (6) |
|
| 37 |
Winton Wanderers (7) |
– |
Marine (7) |
|
| 38 |
Altrincham (6) |
– |
Macclesfield (6) |
|
| 39 |
Wigan Athletic Girls & Ladies (6) |
– |
Warrington Town (6) |
|
| 40 |
Hyde United (7) |
– |
Penwortham Town (7) |
|
| 41 |
Maghull (7) / Southport (7) |
– |
FC Northern (7) |
|
| 42 |
Preston North End (6) |
– |
Haslingden (6) |
|
| 43 |
Manchester Laces (6) |
– |
Northwich Victoria (7) |
|
| 44 |
Litherland REMYCA (6) |
– |
FC St Helens (6) |
|
| 45 |
Atherton LR (6) |
– |
Wirral United (7) |
|
| 46 |
Buxton (7) |
– |
Blackpool (6) |
|
| 47 |
Accrington Stanley (6) |
– |
Salford City Lionesses (6) |
|
| 48 |
Brookside Athletic (7) |
– |
Long Eaton United (6) |
|
| 49 |
Allexton & New Parks (7) |
– |
Higham Town (7) / Matlock Town (7) |
|
| 50 |
Basford United (6) |
– |
Arnold Eagles (6) |
|
| 51 |
Sherwood (6) |
– |
River City (6) |
|
| 52 |
Newark Town (6) |
– |
Netherton United (6) |
|
| 53 |
Sleaford Town (6) |
– |
Stanground Cardea Sports (6) |
|
| 54 |
Spalding United (7) |
– |
Crick Athletic (7) |
|
| 55 |
Pride Park (7) |
– |
Nottingham Trent University (6) |
|
| 56 |
Harpole (7) / Boston Town (7) |
– |
University of Nottingham (6) |
|
| 57 |
Boston United (7) |
– |
Thurmaston DPC Vixens (7) |
|
| 58 |
Kirby Muxloe (7) / Birstall United (7) |
– |
Thrapston Town (6) |
|
| 59 |
Amber Valley (7) |
– |
Melbourne Dynamos (6) |
|
| 60 |
Moulton (7) |
– |
Beaumont Park (6) |
|
| 61 |
Bugbrooke St Michaels (7) |
– |
Dunton & Broughton United (6) |
|
| 62 |
Long Buckby (7) |
– |
Corby Town (7) |
|
| 63 |
West Bridgford Colts (6) |
– |
Coalville Town (6) |
|
| 64 |
Belper Town (6) |
– |
AFC Minster (7) |
|
| 65 |
Leicester City Ladies (6) |
– |
Asfordby Amateurs (6) |
|
| 66 |
Albrighton (7) |
– |
Nunnery Wood United (7) |
|
| 67 |
Ludlow Town (7) |
– |
Shrewsbury Up & Comers (7) |
|
| 68 |
Droitwich Spa (6) |
– |
Walsall Wood (6) |
|
| 69 |
Bromsgrove Sporting (6) |
– |
Kingfisher (6) |
|
| 70 |
Rugby Town (6) |
– |
Newcastle Town (6) |
|
| 71 |
SJB (7) |
– |
Allscott Heath (7) / Broseley (7) |
|
| 72 |
Milton United (Staffordshire) (7) |
– |
Inkberrow (7) |
|
| 73 |
Solihull Sporting (6) |
– |
Crusaders (6) |
|
| 74 |
Redditch United (6) |
– |
Dudley Town (7) |
|
| 75 |
Lichfield City (6) |
– |
Worthen Juniors (7) |
|
| 76 |
Halesowen Town (6) |
– |
Stone Old Alleynians (7) |
|
| 77 |
Whitchurch Alport (6) |
– |
Walsall (6) |
|
| 78 |
Coton Green (7) |
– |
Long Itchington (6) |
|
| 79 |
Knowle (6) |
– |
Chasetown (6) |
|
| 80 |
Coventry City (7) |
– |
AFC Telford United (6) |
|
| 81 |
Telford Town (6) |
– |
Shawbury United (7) |
|
| 82 |
Colchester United (6) |
– |
Cambridge Rangers (7) |
|
|
| Tie |
Home team (tier) |
Score |
Away team (tier) |
Att.
|
| 83 |
Stowupland Falcons (7) |
– |
Mulbarton Wanderers (6) |
|
| 84 |
Costessey Sports (7) |
– |
Brightlingsea Regent (7) |
|
| 85 |
Bacton United 89 (7) |
– |
Cambridge City (6) |
|
| 86 |
Needham Market (6) |
– |
Newmarket Town (6) |
|
| 87 |
Brantham Athletic (6) |
– |
Wimblington (7) |
|
| 88 |
Sprowston (7) |
– |
Histon (6) |
|
| 89 |
Fulbourn Bluebirds (6) |
– |
Waterbeach Colts (7) |
|
| 90 |
Aylsham (7) / Ramsey & Mistley (7) |
– |
Soham Town Rangers (7) |
|
| 91 |
Thetford Town (6) |
– |
Stanway Pegasus (6) |
|
| 92 |
Hertford Town (6) |
– |
Oaklands Wolves (7) |
|
| 93 |
Southend United (6) |
– |
AFC Welwyn (7) / Garston (7) |
|
| 94 |
Hackney (6) |
– |
Ampthill Town (7) |
|
| 95 |
Leigh Ramblers (7) |
– |
She Can Play Panthers (6) |
|
| 96 |
Berkhamsted (7) |
– |
Ware United (7) |
|
| 97 |
New Bradwell St Peter (6) |
– |
AFC Leyton (7) |
|
| 98 |
Newport Pagnell Town (6) |
– |
Biggleswade United (6) |
|
| 99 |
Dunstable Town (6) |
– |
St Margaretsbury (7) |
|
| 100 |
Romford Town (7) |
– |
Clapton Community (6) |
|
| 101 |
Camden Town (6) |
– |
Frontiers (7) |
|
| 102 |
Wormley Rovers (6) |
– |
Langford (7) |
|
| 103 |
Stotfold (7) |
– |
Toby (6) |
|
| 104 |
Islington Borough (7) / London Academicals (7) |
– |
Chelmsford City (6) |
|
| 105 |
Hitchin Belles (6) |
– |
Leyton Orient (7) |
|
| 106 |
Wootton Blue Cross (7) |
– |
Colney Heath (6) |
|
| 107 |
Oxted & District (7) |
– |
Maidstone United (7) |
|
| 108 |
Cray Wanderers (7) |
– |
Margate (7) |
|
| 109 |
Eastbourne Town (7) |
– |
Hollands & Blair (7) |
|
| 110 |
South London (7) |
– |
Carshalton Athletic (7) |
|
| 111 |
Eastbourne Borough (6) |
– |
Hastings United (6) |
|
| 112 |
Comets (7) |
– |
AFC Greenwich Borough (6) |
|
| 113 |
Tunbridge Wells Foresters (7) |
– |
Ashmount Leigh (6) |
|
| 114 |
Tonbridge Angels (7) / AFC Croydon Athletic (7) |
– |
Kings Hill (7) |
|
| 115 |
Croydon (7) |
– |
Chislehurst Glebe (7) |
|
| 116 |
Merstham (7) |
– |
Tooting Bec (7) |
|
| 117 |
Richmond & Kew (6) |
– |
Epsom & Ewell (7) |
|
| 118 |
Ashford United (6) |
– |
Bromley (6) |
|
| 119 |
Soccer Elite Football Academy (6) |
– |
Herne Bay (6) |
|
| 120 |
Sevenoaks Town (6) |
– |
Bexhill United (6) |
|
| 121 |
Farnborough (6) |
– |
Brackley Town (6) |
|
| 122 |
Finchampstead (7) |
– |
Milton United (Berks & Bucks) (6) |
|
| 123 |
Ashridge Park (7) |
– |
Highworth Town (7) |
|
| 124 |
Kidlington Youth (6) |
– |
Ruislip Rangers (7) |
|
| 125 |
Denham United (6) |
– |
Barton United (7) |
|
| 126 |
Marlborough Town (7) / Yateley United (7) |
– |
Wallingford & Crowmarsh (7) |
|
| 127 |
Frimley Green (6) |
– |
Royal Wootton Bassett Town (6) |
|
| 128 |
Penn & Tylers Green (6) |
– |
Caversham United (7) |
|
| 129 |
Manorcroft United (7) |
– |
Tilehurst Panthers (6) |
|
| 130 |
AFC Stoneham (6) |
– |
Hassocks (7) |
|
| 131 |
Broadbridge Heath (7) |
– |
Montpelier Villa (6) |
|
| 132 |
Havant & Waterlooville (6) |
– |
Bognor Regis Town (6) |
|
| 133 |
Three Bridges (7) |
– |
Millbrook (7) / Horsham (7) |
|
| 134 |
Haywards Heath Town (6) |
– |
Burgess Hill Town (7) |
|
| 135 |
Basingstoke Town (7) |
– |
East Preston (7) |
|
| 136 |
Bursledon (6) |
– |
United Services Portsmouth (7) |
|
| 137 |
Steyning Town Community (6) |
– |
Shanklin (7) |
|
| 138 |
Pagham (7) |
– |
Andover New Street (6) |
|
| 139 |
Nursling & Shirley (6) |
– |
Leatherhead (6) |
|
| 140 |
Farnham Town (6) |
– |
AFC Varsity (6) |
|
| 141 |
Frome Town (7) |
– |
Weymouth (6) |
|
| 142 |
Wells City (6) |
– |
Yeovil Town (6) |
|
| 143 |
Pen Mill (7) / Ridgeway (7) |
– |
AFC Totton (7) |
|
| 144 |
Bemerton Heath Harlequins (6) |
– |
Bournemouth Poppies (7) |
|
| 145 |
Shaftesbury (6) |
– |
Dorchester Town (7) |
|
| 146 |
Cobham Sports (7) |
– |
Longfleet Lionesses (7) |
|
| 147 |
Bournemouth Manor (7) |
– |
Wimborne Town (6) |
|
| 148 |
Hereford (6) |
– |
Bath City (6) |
|
| 149 |
Cheltenham Saracens (7) |
– |
Downend Flyers (6) |
|
| 150 |
Bishop’s Cleeve (7) |
– |
Cirencester Town (6) |
|
| 151 |
Paulton Rovers (6) |
– |
Olveston United (7) |
|
| 152 |
Hereford Pegasus (6) |
– |
Ross Juniors (7) |
|
| 153 |
Bristol Brunel (7) / Iron Acton (7) |
– |
Longlevens (7) |
|
| 154 |
Weston Super Mare (6) |
– |
Corsham Town (6) |
|
| 155 |
Mangotsfield United (6) |
– |
Bristol & West (7) |
|
| 156 |
Bitton (6) |
– |
Whitchurch (6) |
|
| 157 |
Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police (7) |
– |
Teignmouth (7) |
|
| 158 |
Sticker (7) |
– |
Appledore (6) |
|
| 159 |
St Agnes (7) / Kilkhampton (7) |
– |
Honiton Town (7) |
|
| 160 |
Feniton (6) |
– |
Signal Box Oak Villa (7) / Bradworthy (7) |
|
| 161 |
Tiverton Town (7) |
– |
Redruth United (7) |
|
| 162 |
Bodmin (7) |
– |
Saltash Borough (7) |
|
| 163 |
Plympton (7) |
– |
Bideford AFC (7) |
|
|
Second round qualifying
The TBD matches of the second round qualifying will be played on 21 September 2025. This round includes the introduction of 93 teams from the fifth-tier regional premier division football leagues.
Third round qualifying
The TBD matches of third round qualifying will be played on 5 October 2025. This round includes the introduction of 48 teams from the fourth-tier FA Women's National League Division One.
First round proper
The TBD matches in the first round proper will be played on 26 October 2025. This round includes the introduction of 24 teams from the third-tier FA Women's National League Premier Division.
Second round proper
The TBD matches in the second round proper will be played on 23 November 2025.
Third round proper
The 20 matches in the third round proper will be played on 14 December 2025, and includes the introduction of 12 teams from the second-tier Women's Super League 2.
Fourth round
Matches in the fourth round will be played on 18 January 2026. This round includes the introduction of 12 teams from the first-tier Women's Super League, and is the final round to introduce new teams.
Fifth round
Eight matches will be played in the fifth round on 22 February 2026, made up of the 16 winning teams from the fourth round.
Quarter-finals
Four matches will be played in the quarter-finals on 5 April 2026, made up of the eight winning teams from the fifth round.
Semi-finals
Two matches will be played in the semi-finals on 10 May 2026, made up of the four winning teams from the quarter-finals.
Final
The final will be played at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2026.
See also
Notes
References
|
|---|
|
| National teams | |
|---|
League
competitions | | Level 1–2 | |
|---|
| Level 3 |
- FA Women's National League Premier Division (North, South)
|
|---|
| Level 4 | |
|---|
|
|---|
| Cup competitions | |
|---|
|
|
|---|
| Domestic leagues | |
|---|
| Domestic cups | |
|---|
| League cups | |
|---|
| Supercups | |
|---|
| UEFA competitions | |
|---|
| International competitions | |
|---|