The draw for the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper took place on Monday, October 13, 2025, igniting excitement across the English football landscape as League One and League Two clubs entered the fray. The draw, a highly anticipated event, sets the stage for potential giant-killings and cup glory for teams of all sizes.
The draw was broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, discovery+, and the TNT Sports YouTube channel, preceding the fourth-round qualifying match between Worthing and Forest Green Rovers. Football fans across the United Kingdom tuned in from 6:30 PM BST to witness the pairings unfold. Becky Ives presented the draw, with Michail Antonio and Joel Ward making the selections.
This stage of the competition marks the entry of the 48 clubs from League One and League Two, joining the 32 non-league sides who successfully navigated the qualifying rounds. The presence of these non-league teams injects a unique element of unpredictability and romance into the FA Cup, a competition renowned for its ability to produce underdog stories.
All eyes were on the ball numbers as anticipation built. Some of the teams included in the draw were Accrington Stanley, AFC Wimbledon, Barnet, Barnsley, Barrow, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, Bristol Rovers, Bromley, Burton Albion, Cambridge United, Cardiff City, Cheltenham Town, Chesterfield, Colchester United, Crawley Town, Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City, Fleetwood Town, Gillingham, Grimsby Town, Harrogate Town, Huddersfield Town, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Luton Town, Mansfield Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Newport County, Northampton Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle, Port Vale, Reading, Rotherham United, Salford City, Shrewsbury Town, Stevenage, Stockport County, Swindon, Tranmere Rovers, Walsall, Wigan Athletic, and Wycombe Wanderers. Non-league teams included AFC Telford United, Macclesfield, and potentially Gainsborough Trinity or Hartlepool United, among others.
First-round ties are scheduled to be played across the weekend of Saturday, November 1st, 2025. Kick-off times are typically set for 3:00 PM GMT on Saturday, with selected matches taking place on Sunday, November 2nd. The specific match schedule will be finalized following the draw, accounting for broadcast selections.
The FA Cup, in its 145th edition for the 2025/26 season, maintains its prestige as a symbol of English football's enduring appeal. The opportunity for lower-league teams to challenge and potentially defeat higher-ranked opponents captures the imagination of fans and embodies the spirit of the game.
