FA Cup first-round draw takes place this evening

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 11:07 · Archive

The first-round draw for the 2026-27 FA Cup takes place this evening with 32 non-league sides and 48 EFL teams learning their opponents.

The FA Cup first-round draw takes place this evening, Monday 19 October, with coverage beginning at 6:30pm BST on TNT Sports 1 and the draw itself expected to begin at approximately 6:35pm. The draw will be hosted by Matt Smith, with Martin Keown and Fara Williams conducting proceedings.

Thirty-two non-league sides who have battled through the qualifying rounds will learn their opponents when they are paired with 48 teams from League One and League Two. The EFL sides include numerous big names and former FA Cup winners: Leicester City (2021 winners), Wigan Athletic (2013 winners), Sheffield Wednesday (1896, 1907 and 1935 winners) and Huddersfield Town (1922 winners) are among the plum ties available.

Four non-league teams will be playing in the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history. AFC Rushden & Diamonds, an eighth-tier side founded in 2011 after the demise of the original Rushden & Diamonds, reached the draw after stunning National League North side Morecambe 2-1 in the fourth qualifying round. Berkhamsted, Sholing and Plymouth Parkway are also competing in the first round proper for the first time. According to the Independent, ninth-tier Tadley Calleva are the lowest-ranked team in the hat.

How it is being reported

• FA Cup draw: When is first-round draw, ball numbers and how to watchThe first-round draw for the 2026-27 FA Cup takes place this evening as League One and League Two clubs enter the frayIndependent Sport · 19 Oct, 10:43
• When is FA Cup draw? Start time, ball numbers, TV channel and live stream for first round todayNon-league clubs eyeing big EFL upsets as competition proper beginsEvening Standard · 19 Oct, 10:31

In this story: Leicester City · Wigan Athletic · Sheffield Wednesday · Huddersfield Town · AFC Rushden & Diamonds · Berkhamsted · Sholing · Plymouth Parkway

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