FA Cup Fifth-Round Draw: Everything You Need to Know
The FA Cup continues its thrilling journey this weekend, with 32 teams vying for a spot in the next stage as they edge closer to the prestigious final at Wembley later this year. The competition has already delivered unforgettable moments, including a historic upset in the third round where holders Crystal Palace were knocked out by non-league side Macclesfield, marking one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history.
Upcoming Fourth-Round Action
Before the draw for the fifth round, fans can look forward to 15 exciting fourth-round ties. Macclesfield faces Brentford on Monday, while other highlights include Brighton versus Liverpool and Aston Villa versus Newcastle, the only two all-Premier League matchups. Arsenal takes on League One's Wigan Athletic, and Salford City travels to challenge Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. The action kicks off on Friday with Chelsea clashing with Hull City and an all-Championship battle between Wrexham and Ipswich Town.
Fifth-Round Draw Details
The FA Cup fifth-round draw is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2026. It will occur just before the final fourth-round tie between Macclesfield and Brentford, starting at approximately 6:35 PM GMT. Coverage will be presented by Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, with former England internationals Joe Cole and Karen Carney drawing the balls.
Ball Numbers for the Draw
Here are the ball numbers for the fifth-round draw, representing the teams from the fourth-round matches:
- Liverpool or Brighton & Hove Albion
- Stoke City or Fulham
- Oxford United or Sunderland
- Southampton or Leicester City
- Wrexham or Ipswich Town
- Arsenal or Wigan Athletic
- Hull City or Chelsea
- Burton Albion or West Ham United
- Burnley or Mansfield Town
- Norwich City or West Bromwich Albion
- Port Vale or Bristol City
- Grimsby Town or Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Aston Villa or Newcastle United
- Manchester City or Salford City
- Macclesfield or Brentford
- Birmingham City or Leeds United
How to Watch the Draw
In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch the draw live on TNT Sports 1 or access it via the Discovery+ app and website with a subscription. For those looking to stream for free, the draw will be available live on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Fourth-Round Fixtures and Results
The fourth-round matches are spread across several days:
- Friday, February 13: Hull City v Chelsea, Wrexham v Ipswich Town
- Saturday, February 14: Burton Albion v West Ham United, Burnley v Mansfield Town, Manchester City v Salford City, Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion, Port Vale v Bristol City, Southampton v Leicester City, Aston Villa v Newcastle United, Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Sunday, February 15: Birmingham City v Leeds United, Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Oxford United v Sunderland, Stoke City v Fulham, Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
- Monday, February 16: Macclesfield v Brentford
Fifth-Round Schedule and Rule Changes
The fifth-round games are planned for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026. Notably, replays have been eliminated from the full rounds of the competition this season, a change implemented last year. If any match ends in a draw, it will proceed directly to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout, ensuring decisive outcomes without delays.
