The FA Cup third round draw remains one of the highlights of the annual football calendar for thousands of fans across the country.
Despite many attempting to continually downplay the significance of the world’s oldest club competition in the modern game, year after year it continues to prove that reports over its demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Nowhere is that more clear than in the third round, where Premier League and Championship clubs all join the party to create some true David vs Goliath ties and inevitable thrilling upsets that will live long in the memory.
This season should be no different, with no fewer than 40 teams fighting it out across 20 total games in the second round this weekend in the hope of landing a truly plum tie thereafter.
The third round is already guaranteed to feature two teams from tier six of the English football pyramid, with Slough Town hosting Macclesfield and Chelmsford City facing Weston-super-Mare.
When is the FA Cup third round draw?
Proceedings will be held ahead of the second round meeting between National League side Brackley Town and third-tier Burton Albion at St James Park, with a start time of approximately 6:40pm GMT.
Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will be drawing the teams.
Where to watch FA Cup third round draw
TV channel: In the UK, coverage of the draw is available before Brackley vs Burton, live on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: You can also follow along online via the Discovery+ app and website with a subscription, as well as on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Live blog: Follow the draw as it happens on Monday evening with Standard Sport’s live blog.
FA Cup third round ball numbers
7. Brighton & Hove Albion
43. Wolverhampton Wanderers
45. Slough Town or Macclesfield
46. Grimsby Town or Wealdstone
47. Sutton United or Shrewsbury Town
48. Swindon Town or Bolton Wanderers
49. Chelmsford City or Weston Super Mare
50. Peterborough United or Barnsley
51. Boreham Wood or Newport County
52. Milton Keynes Dons or Oldham Athletic
53. Wigan Athletic or Barrow
54. Fleetwood Town or Luton Town
55. Salford City or Leyton Orient
56. Accrington Stanley or Mansfield Town
57. Stockport County or Cambridge United
58. Brackley Town or Burton Albion
59. Blackpool or Carlisle United
61. Exeter City or Wycombe Wanderers
62. Cheltenham Town or Buxton
63. Chesterfield or Doncaster Rovers
64. Port Vale or Bristol Rovers
When will FA Cup third round ties take place?
Third round matches are scheduled to be held across the weekend of January 10/11, 2026.
