FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

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FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

FA Cup replays scrapped.


View: https://x.com/emiratesfacup/status/1780899227842805782?s=46&t=SQP7mje7Pimu8X-ugPnQnQ


IMG_1305.jpeg

The FA and the Premier League have reached a new agreement which will strengthen the Emirates FA Cup format with new and exclusive calendar windows.

The agreement, which is for a minimum of six years, starts next season. All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will now be played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.

The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football

From the first round proper, the competition will be played without replays. The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.

The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day. Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the Final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.

Separately, the Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, providing up to an additional £33 million for grassroots football on top of the £100 million it currently gives to good causes each season.

The League will provide up to £133 million per season from the 2025-26 season, maintaining existing commitments and enhancing support to key areas of the game. The Premier League currently gives away £1.6 billion every three years – 16 per cent of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow.

This commitment will see increased investment to both the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund to develop facilities at lower league clubs, improving the playing and spectator experience, as well as clubs’ financial sustainability. The funding will also create more opportunities for people with a disability to play football, and support the ongoing development of the girls' game.

It will also enable the leagues in the men’s and women’s football pyramid to continue to develop, in line with the FA’s new National League System Strategy. The Premier League currently provides similar support within the women’s game through an existing £21 million investment.

Our chief executive, Mark Bullingham, commented: "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.

"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.

"The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.

"We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game. All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support."

Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, added: "The Premier League is proud of the investment it provides to all levels of the game and this new agreement with the FA will see us enhance our support into grassroots football. This will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country, through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.

"Throughout our discussions, both parties have been committed to enhancing the scheduling of the Emirates FA Cup, a hugely important domestic competition with a storied history.

"The FA and the Premier League have worked in partnership to deliver more exclusive weekends without compromising the excitement of knockout football and this has been achieved at the same time as allowing us to ease fixture congestion generally."

The first year of the new format for the Emirates FA Cup forms part of the overall calendar which has been approved by the Professional Game Board [The FA, Premier League, EFL]. The new schedule also allows the late May Bank Holiday weekend to be ringfenced for the EFL play-off finals at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.

The 2024-25 FA Community Shield will take place on Saturday 10 August 2024, the Saturday before the start of the Premier League season.

The mid-season break is removed from the calendar to allow a mid-August start date for the Premier League. This longer summer break allows all Premier League clubs to be better able to ensure that players get a consecutive three-week break in the summer. This takes into account expert advice from medical and technical departments, which values a longer period of complete rest in the summer rather than a short break in the winter.

The agreement has been approved by the FA Board and the Premier League Board and shareholders.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Untouchable said:
FA Cup replays scrapped.


View: https://x.com/emiratesfacup/status/1780899227842805782?s=46&t=SQP7mje7Pimu8X-ugPnQnQ


View attachment 46312

The FA and the Premier League have reached a new agreement which will strengthen the Emirates FA Cup format with new and exclusive calendar windows.

The agreement, which is for a minimum of six years, starts next season. All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will now be played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.

The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football

From the first round proper, the competition will be played without replays. The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.

The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day. Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the Final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.

Separately, the Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, providing up to an additional £33 million for grassroots football on top of the £100 million it currently gives to good causes each season.

The League will provide up to £133 million per season from the 2025-26 season, maintaining existing commitments and enhancing support to key areas of the game. The Premier League currently gives away £1.6 billion every three years – 16 per cent of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow.

This commitment will see increased investment to both the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund to develop facilities at lower league clubs, improving the playing and spectator experience, as well as clubs’ financial sustainability. The funding will also create more opportunities for people with a disability to play football, and support the ongoing development of the girls' game.

It will also enable the leagues in the men’s and women’s football pyramid to continue to develop, in line with the FA’s new National League System Strategy. The Premier League currently provides similar support within the women’s game through an existing £21 million investment.

Our chief executive, Mark Bullingham, commented: "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.

"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.

"The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.

"We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game. All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support."

Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, added: "The Premier League is proud of the investment it provides to all levels of the game and this new agreement with the FA will see us enhance our support into grassroots football. This will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country, through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.

"Throughout our discussions, both parties have been committed to enhancing the scheduling of the Emirates FA Cup, a hugely important domestic competition with a storied history.

"The FA and the Premier League have worked in partnership to deliver more exclusive weekends without compromising the excitement of knockout football and this has been achieved at the same time as allowing us to ease fixture congestion generally."

The first year of the new format for the Emirates FA Cup forms part of the overall calendar which has been approved by the Professional Game Board [The FA, Premier League, EFL]. The new schedule also allows the late May Bank Holiday weekend to be ringfenced for the EFL play-off finals at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.

The 2024-25 FA Community Shield will take place on Saturday 10 August 2024, the Saturday before the start of the Premier League season.

The mid-season break is removed from the calendar to allow a mid-August start date for the Premier League. This longer summer break allows all Premier League clubs to be better able to ensure that players get a consecutive three-week break in the summer. This takes into account expert advice from medical and technical departments, which values a longer period of complete rest in the summer rather than a short break in the winter.

The agreement has been approved by the FA Board and the Premier League Board and shareholders.
Click to expand...

?
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Untouchable said:
FA Cup replays scrapped.


View: https://x.com/emiratesfacup/status/1780899227842805782?s=46&t=SQP7mje7Pimu8X-ugPnQnQ


The agreement, which is for a minimum of six years, starts next season. All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will now be played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.

The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football
Click to expand...

Weekends but Friday, Monday, Tuesday and now Wednesday's !!
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Super_horns said:
Strange to scrap Round one and two replays when the PL clubs don’t enter those rounds .
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Frees up midweeks so that later rounds can be played on Saturdays without any other matches happening
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

The panel is not correct about the FA Cup Final having an exclusive weekend. Per the detail It is an exclusive day and build-up day.
Untouchable said:
The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day. Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the Final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.
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Could have a full programme scheduled on the Sunday.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Banana said:
Frees up midweeks so that later rounds can be played on Saturdays without any other matches happening
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Will there not be any games at all in the EFL etc on an FA cup round day then ?

Just thought it meant the Premier league clubs wouldn’t play on 5th round day for example.

Unless you mean replays freeing up more space for league fixtures earlier if teams do have an FA cup run .

The move back to weekend rounds is sensible .
 
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FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

More Importantly its a blank weekend for 6th Round Day which is always just before an International break

So apart from 8 teams that could be 3 weeks off in March
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Super_horns said:
Will there not be any games at all in the EFL etc on an FA cup round day then ?

Just thought it meant the Premier league clubs wouldn’t play on 5th round day for example.

Unless you mean replays freeing up more space for league fixtures earlier if teams do have an FA cup run .

The move back to weekend rounds is sensible .
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Think the exclusivity only applies to EPL which in turn surely means more midweek rounds of matches which means less 3pm Saturday kick offs and inconvenience for travelling fans.

Presumably stretching fourth round "weekend" ia all about money.

I also note the midseason break has been binned
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

I'm not going to say I'm against scrapping replays, as I'm not, but why are weekends being kept free from any league action as well? Quarter finals only have 8 teams in so minimum of 12 Prem teams will be twiddling their thumbs that day. Why not schedule other games then.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Invipai said:
I'm not going to say I'm against scrapping replays, as I'm not, but why are weekends being kept free from any league action as well? Quarter finals only have 8 teams in so minimum of 12 Prem teams will be twiddling their thumbs that day. Why not schedule other games then.
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Because it gives the FA Cup a window in the calendar and in people's attentions, rather than being up against half a round of PL games.
The TV and media interest in those games should be higher that way.
Suspect that will be the first thing that goes the next time they change the calendar though.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Invipai said:
I'm not going to say I'm against scrapping replays, as I'm not, but why are weekends being kept free from any league action as well? Quarter finals only have 8 teams in so minimum of 12 Prem teams will be twiddling their thumbs that day. Why not schedule other games then.
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I agree! An 'exclusive' FA Cup QF weekend will be good for commercial and media contracts though so I can see the logic.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Good replays are a pain and unnecessary extra fixture and I thought that when we were in the champ and below
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

hanworthbee said:
Good replays are a pain and unnecessary extra fixture and I thought that when we were in the champ and below
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Amazing how missing out a full stop completely changes the sense :fishing:

I read that as good replays the first time I read it :judge:
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

hanworthbee said:
Good replays are a pain and unnecessary extra fixture and I thought that when we were in the champ and below
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I dunno. I used to enjoy a good replay if it gave an underdog another crack at giant killing. Similarly, a 4 or 5 match saga in February or March was an achievement to get through. Especially if Weeds or someone then blew up on the run in because they’d played c.70 games!
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

I assume that TPTB wil argue that the extra mone that will allegedly filter down to grass roots will more tthan offset the income n/l clubs might get from hosting a replay and potential additional broadcast income?
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

It might be a good thing for Brentford and other premier league clubs but I would say it cuts off vital funds for those lower league and non league clubs.
I've always been of the opinion that replays should only be between teams not in the same division or should be agreed or otherwise before hand between two participating clubs.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

We need to remember how import the money from a cup replay on telly was for us in the past.
These changes are not good for the game but hey thats the way things have been going for years now.
These greedy clowns have no idea and will continue to make changes that will ruin football in the larger sense and in the short term they are just interested in creaming cash out the premiership. I am regularly told by people that they have stop watching it on the TV which surely can’t be good
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Imagine the outcry if there had never been replays, and now the big clubs were arguing for them as a way of avoiding being knocked out in the lottery of penalties and getting a very winnable second stab instead.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Nickabee said:
We need to remember how import the money from a cup replay on telly was for us in the past.
These changes are not good for the game but hey thats the way things have been going for years now.
These greedy clowns have no idea and will continue to make changes that will ruin football in the larger sense and in the short term they are just interested in creaming cash out the premiership. I am regularly told by people that they have stop watching it on the TV which surely can’t be good
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Won't matter to BBC of course, but if there is evidence of less bums on seats on sofas watching imagine ITV tryig to sell advertising time with smaller and smaller audiences
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

OK, I’ll try to put a positive slant on some of this, if only as devil’s advocate, seeing as there is zero possibility of you set of cynical, grumpy old bastards doing so! ??

The FA Cup has had its status as the greatest global domestic cup competition diminished over a prolonged period of time. Establishing EPL exclusive fixtures will help improve the profile and standing of the competition. If there are also commercial benefits to be accrued as a result, then so be it. This is good for the health of the game, especially if it results in greater funds trickling down the pyramid.

No more replays. Brilliant. We could really have done without a replay against Wolves, with our depleted squad being exposed to the risk of further injury. And I’m sure Exeter City won’t be too disappointed at the prospect of not having to travel to Barrow on a wet and windy Tuesday in November, for a first round replay, at considerable cost to them (especially if they lose).
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Invipai said:
I'm not going to say I'm against scrapping replays, as I'm not, but why are weekends being kept free from any league action as well? Quarter finals only have 8 teams in so minimum of 12 Prem teams will be twiddling their thumbs that day. Why not schedule other games then.
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But you could schedule a round of 10 EPL fixtures for the 1/4 final weekend, and possibly end up having 8 of those fixtures postponed
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

It's not really about the magic of the cup it's all about money and hoping to get that money spinning away tie either by a draw or the draw . A cup run usually always detracts from your league campaign especially if you are doing well
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

We
Jam Jar said:
It might be a good thing for Brentford and other premier league clubs but I would say it cuts off vital funds for those lower league and non league clubs.
I've always been of the opinion that replays should only be between teams not in the same division or should be agreed or otherwise before hand between two participating clubs.
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Too subtle for the FA bigwigs but this would be the best compromise, and we would still get our replay at Stamford Bridge having held Chelsea to a draw at ours in 2013.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Lionel Bart-At said:
OK, I’ll try to put a positive slant on some of this, if only as devil’s advocate, seeing as there is zero possibility of you set of cynical, grumpy old bastards doing so! ??

The FA Cup has had its status as the greatest global domestic cup competition diminished over a prolonged period of time. Establishing EPL exclusive fixtures will help improve the profile and standing of the competition. If there are also commercial benefits to be accrued as a result, then so be it. This is good for the health of the game, especially if it results in greater funds trickling down the pyramid.

No more replays. Brilliant. We could really have done without a replay against Wolves, with our depleted squad being exposed to the risk of further injury. And I’m sure Exeter City won’t be too disappointed at the prospect of not having to travel to Barrow on a wet and windy Tuesday in November, for a first round replay, at considerable cost to them (especially if they lose).
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You mention Exeter City but there replay with Man Utd some years back made them £1m which at the time was probably the difference between survival or not as times were hard!!!

Have always felt that 3rd draw should have all Championship and EPL clubs having to play away to generate funds for lower league clubs
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Pretty sure this plan will be revised under the pressure of the outcry. Just remove replays for all Prem ties. Scrap extra-time.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

The Pipe said:
You mention Exeter City but there replay with Man Utd some years back made them £1m which at the time was probably the difference between survival or not as times were hard!!!

Have always felt that 3rd draw should have all Championship and EPL clubs having to play away to generate funds for lower league clubs
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That’s how the German cup works … but they don’t have replays (I don’t think any other country has) so that Exeter / Man Utd match years ago would have gone to pens, not to the “money-spinning” replay at Old Trafford
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Gary Alen said:
Plenty of clubs making similar statements to Tranmere…. Can see the pressure building around this. See talks of a boycott by league clubs.

Crawley:

View: https://x.com/crawleytown/status/1781057893569016145?s=46&t=ROWK5W1-J3fmdepKoQfgUQ


Farnborough:

View: https://x.com/farnboroughfc/status/1781046722623373450?s=46&t=ROWK5W1-J3fmdepKoQfgUQ


Grimsby:

View: https://x.com/officialgtfc/status/1781043017291341826?s=46&t=ROWK5W1-J3fmdepKoQfgUQ


Dorking:

View: https://x.com/dorkingwdrs/status/1780990204876038515?s=46&t=ROWK5W1-J3fmdepKoQfgUQ
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Er, they HAVE to enter. Other they'll be 120 clubs in the National League next season
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

No other (major, national) cup competition IN THE WORLD has replays (AFAIK)
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Banana said:
Er, they HAVE to enter. Other they'll be 120 clubs in the National League next season
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Well, won’t be much of a competition if it ends up being 20 PL teams and a side from the Dog & Duck.
It’ll take a brave FA to suddenly throw out some clubs…. ??‍♂️
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

beeeehive said:
Might give smaller clubs the chance to win on pens, get the prize money and a big club in the next round. I understand the upset but this will just create more giant killings.
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Agreed. I suspect net net this will make no difference.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

The Pipe said:
You mention Exeter City but there replay with Man Utd some years back made them £1m which at the time was probably the difference between survival or not as times were hard!!!

Have always felt that 3rd draw should have all Championship and EPL clubs having to play away to generate funds for lower league clubs
Click to expand...
Yes. Very fair comment. Devil’s advocate status now surrendered.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

The Pipe said:
You mention Exeter City but there replay with Man Utd some years back made them £1m which at the time was probably the difference between survival or not as times were hard!!!

Have always felt that 3rd draw should have all Championship and EPL clubs having to play away to generate funds for lower league clubs
Click to expand...
Are you saying that Exeter would have gone to the wall but for a 1 in 1,000,000 FA Cup draw and getting a result at home.

b***ockS!
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

All smaller clubs still have the same chance of drawing a big club at home (likely TV money) or away (bigger share of gate receipts).

Sure, a small percentage of them would have secured both of these with a replay, but we're talking a small number of ties each season.

And the 'exclusive' announcement about the later rounds is a GOOD thing for the cup. It needs that media exposure once again. When EPL fixtures are played on the same day the completely dominate the football landscape.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

SKY owns football now. They are not a charity, hence they are not simply going to hand over millions of ££s without the power to control and increase in revenue streams.

I just feel sorry for the younger fans who will not get to enjoy the magic of the FA CUP and the really magical FA Cup final day.

Due to the money involved in staying in the EPL, BFC cannot even take it totally serious by playing their strongest team.

I find the lack of proper consultation, extremely sad and an enditement of what money gets you at the decision making table.
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Rubbish, rubbish move. I love to watch the minnows taking big clubs to a reply and it can support them for months on end.

Another example of Money and Power ruining the game. Poor old BIG clubs are playing too many games, so f*** the smaller clubs where the Magic of the FA Cup is something so special.

I'm losing love of the game for this very type of rubbish.

NEVER FORGET WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Okay we have lost replays in every cup competition i can think of apart from the FA Cup with little or no fuss.
That includes The Trophy,The Vase,League Cup,European Cup competitions(1974 European Cup Final was a replay) and all non league County Cups too.
I loved our day at Chelsea in 2013 and the night vs Southend was a cracker.
Swindon in 82 was crap,Oldham in 98 was crap,Southampton was great to see GP full and cup fever was a magic moment.
We will,sadly for some,get used to it,but the calender is getting fuller by the year and the FA have asked for this,i suspect,to put the FA Cup back up there and the compromise is no PL games on cup weekends please so we now get another 4 maybe 5 midweek games which is an added pain,but guess what ?
We will get used to it.
We never got a replay after drawing at Newport County this season and no fuss at all from Newport.
We did though get one vs Wolves and it was an absolute pain to the club.
As Johnny Cochrane would say in court"if its crap then scrap,it makes no sense."
 

FA Cup Changes From 2024/25

Would like to see BFCs statement on this.
Do they support the smaller clubs fears or do they support SKY and the FA?
Unfortunately I can see them forgetting where we have come from and instead stating how the FA Cup can bring extra pressure on the playing resources blab blah.

If the FA Cup is branded as the best club competition in the world, is it that broke that you have to fundamentally change its principles and structure.
 
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