The 2026/27 Adobe Women’s FA Cup begins with 143 preliminary-round ties on Sunday 23 August 2026 and concludes with the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 15 May 2027.
A total of 536 clubs will take part, with teams entering at different stages according to their place in the women’s football pyramid. WSL 2 clubs enter in the third round proper on 13 December, while Women’s Super League clubs join in the fourth round proper on 17 January.
Manchester City are the defending champions after defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 in the 2025/26 final.
This guide will be updated throughout the season with the latest draws, fixtures, results, prize money, broadcast selections and final information.
Last updated: 7 September 2026 following the second round qualifying draw.
Women’s FA Cup 2026/27 at a Glance
- Competition begins: 23 August 2026
- Participating clubs: 536
- First Round Proper: 25 October 2026
- WSL 2 clubs enter: Third Round Proper, 13 December 2026
- WSL clubs enter: Fourth Round Proper, 17 January 2027
- Quarter-finals: 21 March 2027
- Semi-finals: 11 April 2027
- Final: 15 May 2027
- Final venue: Wembley Stadium
- Defending champions: Manchester City
- Most successful club: Arsenal, 14 titles
- Broadcast partners: TNT Sports and Channel 4
- VAR: Not used
- Final prize money: £430,000 for the winners
When Is the Next Women’s FA Cup Round?
The 2026/27 Women’s FA Cup is now under way. The second round qualifying ties will be played on Sunday 20 September 2026, with matches scheduled to kick off at 2pm unless the participating clubs agree another time.
There are 95 ties in the second qualifying round. Sherborne Town have received a bye after Saltash United Women withdrew before the draw. The winners will progress to the third round qualifying, which is scheduled for Sunday 4 October. The first round proper begins on Sunday 25 October.
Women’s FA Cup 2026/27 Round Dates
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Round | Sunday 23 August 2026 |
| First Round Qualifying | Sunday 6 September 2026 |
| Second Round Qualifying | Sunday 20 September 2026 |
| Third Round Qualifying | Sunday 4 October 2026 |
| First Round Proper | Sunday 25 October 2026 |
| Second Round Proper | Sunday 15 November 2026 |
| Third Round Proper | Sunday 13 December 2026 |
| Fourth Round Proper | Sunday 17 January 2027 |
| Fifth Round Proper | Sunday 21 February 2027 |
| Quarter-finals | Sunday 21 March 2027 |
| Semi-finals | Sunday 11 April 2027 |
| Final | Saturday 15 May 2027 |
Round dates may change when matches are selected for television or moved by agreement.
Latest Women’s FA Cup Draw
Women’s FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Draw
The second round qualifying draw for the 2026/27 Women’s FA Cup has produced 95 ties, which will be played on Sunday 20 September 2026.
Matches are scheduled to begin at 2pm unless the clubs agree another kick-off time. Winning clubs will receive £3,500 from the competition prize fund, while the teams eliminated at this stage will receive £1,000.
Two places remain dependent on outstanding first qualifying-round ties. Atherton LR or Curzon Ashton will host Crewe Alexandra, while Basford United will face Spalding United or Stanground Cardea Sports.
Sherborne Town have received a bye following the withdrawal of Saltash United Women.
| No. | Home team | Away team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Allotment Celtic | Morpeth Town Juniors |
| 2 | Workington Town | Boldon CA |
| 3 | South Shields | Hebburn Town |
| 4 | Penrith | i2i International Soccer Academy |
| 5 | Alnwick Town | Birtley Town |
| 6 | Wallsend BC | Darlington |
| 7 | Stockton Town | Wolviston |
| 8 | Ponteland United | Spennymoor Town |
| 9 | YP | Gainsborough Trinity |
| 10 | Mansfield Town | Ossett United |
| 11 | Wyke Wanderers | Harrogate Town |
| 12 | North Ferriby | Silsden |
| 13 | Staveley MW | Altofts |
| 14 | Brodsworth | Doncaster Rovers Belles |
| 15 | SJR Worksop | Dronfield Town |
| 16 | Leeds Modernians | Handsworth |
| 17 | Lower Hopton | Rotherham United |
| 18 | Atherton LR or Curzon Ashton | Crewe Alexandra |
| 19 | Leek Town | Wigan Athletic Women |
| 20 | Poulton Victoria | Salford City Lionesses |
| 21 | Rochdale | Nantwich Town |
| 22 | Wirral Phoenix | Wigan Athletic Ladies & Girls |
| 23 | Morecambe | Bury |
| 24 | Preston North End | Wirral United |
| 25 | Woolton | FC St Helens |
| 26 | Bolton Wanderers | FC United of Manchester |
| 27 | Pilkington | Tranmere Rovers |
| 28 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | Mancunian Unity |
| 29 | Darwen | Hyde United |
| 30 | Kirby Muxloe | Long Eaton United |
| 31 | Basford United | Spalding United or Stanground Cardea Sports |
| 32 | Grimsby Town | Arnold Eagles |
| 33 | Netherton United | Nottingham Trent University |
| 34 | Stamford | Loughborough Foxes Vixens |
| 35 | Wellingborough Town | Thurmaston DPC Vixens |
| 36 | Oakham United | Thrapston Town |
| 37 | Asfordby Amateurs | Lincoln |
| 38 | Coton Green | AFC Telford United |
| 39 | Shrewsbury Up & Comers | Redditch Borough |
| 40 | Coventry Sphinx | Lichfield City |
| 41 | Hednesford Town | Shifnal Town |
| 42 | Knowle | Port Vale |
| 43 | Droitwich Spa | Long Itchington |
| 44 | Broseley | Walsall |
| 45 | Rugby Town | Sutton United (Birmingham) |
| 46 | Alvechurch | Halesowen Town |
| 47 | Coundon Court | Shrewsbury Town |
| 48 | Solihull Moors | Stourbridge |
| 49 | Brentwood Town | AFC Sudbury |
| 50 | Colchester United | Newmarket Town |
| 51 | Chelmsford City | Clapton Community |
| 52 | Brightlingsea Regent | Barking |
| 53 | Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers | Colney Heath |
| 54 | Needham Market | Haringey Borough |
| 55 | Hutton | Bowers & Pitsea |
| 56 | Histon | Wroxham |
| 57 | Royston Town | Atletico London |
| 58 | Enfield Town | Thetford Town |
| 59 | Tooting Bec | Maidstone United |
| 60 | Herne Bay | Newhaven |
| 61 | Bromley | Sutton United |
| 62 | Dorking Wanderers | Brentford |
| 63 | Hammersmith | Eastbourne Borough |
| 64 | Montpelier Villa | Islington Borough |
| 65 | Worthing | Leatherhead |
| 66 | Tonbridge Angels | Ashford United |
| 67 | Ebbsfleet United | Camden Town |
| 68 | Aylesford | Denham United |
| 69 | Millwall Lionesses | Ashford Town (Middx) |
| 70 | Watford | Newport Pagnell Town |
| 71 | Oxford City | Penn & Tylers Green |
| 72 | Woodley United | Chesham United |
| 73 | Ampthill Town | Hitchin Belles |
| 74 | Reading | Beaconsfield Town |
| 75 | Dunstable | Harpenden Town |
| 76 | Milton Keynes Irish | St Albans City |
| 77 | Andover New Street | Sholing |
| 78 | AFC Stoneham | Havant & Waterlooville |
| 79 | Winchester City Flyers | Fleet Town |
| 80 | AFC Varsity | Millbrook |
| 81 | Southampton Women’s | AFC Portchester |
| 82 | Badshot Lea | Farnham Town |
| 83 | Marlborough Town | Bognor Regis Town |
| 84 | Ross Juniors | Yate Town |
| 85 | Dursley Town | Hereford Pegasus |
| 86 | Royal Wootton Bassett Town | Gloucester City |
| 87 | Corsham Town | Melksham Town |
| 88 | Portishead Town | AEK Boco |
| 89 | Bishops Cleeve | Bath City |
| 90 | Wells City | Mangotsfield United |
| 91 | Signal Box Frankfort | Ilminster Town |
| 92 | Tiverton Town | Wimborne Town |
| 93 | Yeovil Town | Poole Town |
| 94 | Sticker | St Agnes |
| 95 | Feniton | Shaftesbury |
When Do WSL Clubs Enter the Women’s FA Cup?
All Women’s Super League clubs enter the 2026/27 Women’s FA Cup in the fourth round proper. That round will be played on Sunday 17 January 2027.
The fourth round is therefore the point at which the competition brings together the WSL clubs, the surviving WSL 2 teams and clubs that have progressed through the earlier rounds.
When Do WSL 2 Clubs Enter?
WSL 2 clubs enter in the third round proper, which is scheduled for Sunday 13 December 2026.
This gives second-tier clubs one opportunity to progress before WSL teams enter. It can also create some of the competition’s most interesting fourth-round draws, particularly when lower-division teams are given home matches against top-flight opponents.
Charlton Athletic demonstrated the possibilities available to a WSL 2 club last season by progressing as far as the quarter-finals.
How Does the Women’s FA Cup Work?
The Women’s FA Cup is a straight knockout competition. Every tie is decided in a single match. There are no replays, meaning a club cannot earn a second opportunity through a draw.
If a game is level after 90 minutes:
- An additional 30 minutes is played.
- Extra time is divided into two 15-minute periods.
- If the score remains level, the tie is decided by penalties.
VAR will not be used during the competition.
Women’s FA Cup Prize Money for 2026/27
The Women’s FA Cup prize fund remains unchanged from the previous season. Payments are awarded to both winning and losing clubs in every round, beginning with £1,000 for preliminary-round winners and £400 for the teams eliminated.
| Round | Winning club | Losing club |
| Preliminary Round | £1,000 | £400 |
| First Round Qualifying | £1,800 | £450 |
| Second Round Qualifying | £3,500 | £1,000 |
| Third Round Qualifying | £4,500 | £1,500 |
| First Round Proper | £7,000 | £2,500 |
| Second Round Proper | £9,000 | £4,000 |
| Third Round Proper | £35,000 | £9,000 |
| Fourth Round Proper | £54,000 | £13,000 |
| Fifth Round Proper | £80,000 | £20,000 |
| Quarter-finals | £90,000 | £22,500 |
| Semi-finals | £160,000 | £40,000 |
| Final | £430,000 | £108,000 |
A WSL club entering in the fourth round and winning the competition would receive £814,000 across its five victories.
A club beginning in the preliminary round could collect £875,800 by winning every round and lifting the trophy at Wembley.
Those cumulative figures are calculated from the FA’s published round-by-round payments.
How to Watch the Women’s FA Cup in 2026/27
TNT Sports and Channel 4 are the UK broadcast partners for the Women’s FA Cup.
Broadcast selections are expected to be announced round by round. Exact television schedules and streaming information are not yet available.
Early-round matches may also be shown through club channels or online platforms, but no complete streaming schedule has been confirmed. This section will be updated when coverage is announced.
Confirmed broadcast information
- UK broadcasters: TNT Sports and Channel 4
- Early-round streaming: To be confirmed
- International broadcasters: To be confirmed
- Women’s FA Cup Final coverage: To be confirmed
When Is the 2027 Women’s FA Cup Final?
The 2026/27 Women’s FA Cup final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 15 May 2027. The kick-off time, ticket prices, supporter allocations and broadcast details have not yet been announced.
Manchester City will enter the competition as defending champions after beating Brighton 4-0 at Wembley in the previous final.
Who Has Won the Most Women’s FA Cups?
Arsenal are the most successful club in Women’s FA Cup history with 14 titles. The most recent five finals have produced three Chelsea victories, Manchester United’s first title and Manchester City’s 2025/26 triumph.
| Season | Winner |
| 2025/26 | Manchester City |
| 2024/25 | Chelsea |
| 2023/24 | Manchester United |
| 2022/23 | Chelsea |
| 2021/22 | Chelsea |
Women’s FA Cup Fixtures and Results
Preliminary Round
- Date: 23 August 2026
- Number of ties: 143
- Standard kick-off: 2pm
- Results: To be added
First Round Qualifying
- Date: 6 September 2026
- Number of ties: 102
- Standard kick-off: 2pm
- Results: To be added
Second Round Qualifying
- Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
- Number of ties: 95
- Standard kick-off: 2pm
- Bye: Sherborne Town
- Prize money: £3,500 for winning clubs and £1,000 for losing clubs
- Results: To be added after the matches
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026/27 Women’s FA Cup begin?
The preliminary round will be played on Sunday 23 August 2026.
When do WSL clubs enter the Women’s FA Cup?
WSL clubs enter in the fourth round proper on Sunday 17 January 2027.
When do WSL 2 clubs enter?
WSL 2 clubs enter in the third round proper on Sunday 13 December 2026.
When is the Women’s FA Cup Final?
The final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 15 May 2027.
Who are the defending champions?
Manchester City are the defending champions after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 in the 2025/26 final.
Who has won the most Women’s FA Cups?
Arsenal hold the record with 14 titles.
Are there replays in the Women’s FA Cup?
No. Matches level after 90 minutes proceed to extra time and then penalties if required.
Is VAR used in the Women’s FA Cup?
No VAR will be used in the 2026/27 competition.
What is the Women’s FA Cup prize money?
The winning club receives a payment for progressing through each round. The final winners receive £430,000, while the runners-up receive £108,000.
Where can I watch the Women’s FA Cup?
TNT Sports and Channel 4 hold the UK broadcast rights. Individual match selections and streaming details will be added when confirmed.
When is the Women’s FA Cup second round qualifying?
The second round qualifying ties will be played on Sunday 20 September 2026. The standard kick-off time is 2pm, although clubs can agree to play at another time.
How many ties are in the Women’s FA Cup second round qualifying draw?
There are 95 second qualifying-round ties. Sherborne Town have received a bye following the withdrawal of Saltash United Women.
Source: FA
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