The Football Association (FA) has announced significant changes to the FA Cup, including the elimination of replays from the first round proper starting from the next season. Along with this, the new format will also ensure that all matches are scheduled on weekends, except for the fourth round which will span from Friday to Wednesday. Additionally, the fourth, fifth, and quarter-final stages will occur during exclusive periods without Premier League football. The FA Cup final will now be held on the Saturday of the penultimate weekend of the Premier League, with no top-flight games scheduled on the same day.
As part of the overhaul, FA Cup replays will be scrapped, with matches from the third round onward going straight to a penalty shootout if the game ends in a draw after extra time. This change is intended to free up space in the calendar for additional Premier League and European matches. Moreover, the Premier League will increase its funding for grassroots football by £33 million per season, bringing the total investment to £133 million per year, which will support the development of players and coaches at all levels of the game. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham highlighted the significance of securing a strong format for the future and expressed confidence that the new agreement with the Premier League will protect and enhance the magic of the FA Cup.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters added that the agreement will see an enhancement of support into grassroots football, with the new changes set to come into effect from the start of the 2024-25 season. This will lead to improved facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.