The third round of the FA Cup is widely regarded as the most exciting of the competition, as the Premier League giants often engage with lower league opposition.
2024/25 has provided such fixtures in abundance, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all drawn against lower league opposition in the third round.
Although progression is expected for Premier League sides, entry into the fourth round can be transformative for all of the lower levels of English Football League, and occasionally beyond.
The fourth round draw will be spine-tingling as the competition’s underdogs await their fate. Here’s everything you need to know.
Although Millwall hosted Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday evening, the FA Cup The draw for the fourth round will take place the previous day. After the conclusion of Arsenal vs Man Utd on Sunday afternoon, the other clubs will find out their rivals.
With Arsenal vs Man Utd kicking off at 15:00 GMT, the FA Cup draw is expected to take place at approximately 17:00 GMT, almost immediately after the match finishes. However, with the game potentially going to overtime and penalties, that estimated time slot could change.
Regardless of the outcome of the match, the draw will take place after the final kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
Those looking to tune into the FA Cup fourth round draw are in luck. It will be broadcast live on BBC One following the conclusion of the Arsenal v Man Utd game, with presenter Kelly Somers. Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown and ex-Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will conduct the actual draw.
The draw can also be followed live at FA Cup’s social media channels.
|
Ball number |
club |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Southampton or Swansea City |
|
2 |
Arsenal or Man Utd |
|
3 |
City of Exeter |
|
4 |
Leyton Orient or Derby County |
|
5 |
Burnley |
|
6 |
Aston Villa |
|
7 |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
|
8 |
Manchester City |
|
9 |
Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge |
|
10 |
Liverpool |
|
11 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
|
12 |
Preston North End or Charlton Athletic |
|
13 |
Chelsea |
|
14 |
Blackburn Rovers |
|
15 |
Bournemouth |
|
16 |
Mansfield Town or Wigan Athletic |
|
17 |
Tamworth or Tottenham Hotspur |
|
18 |
Hull City or Doncaster Rovers |
|
19 |
Stoke City |
|
20 |
City of Leicester |
|
21 |
Plymouth Argyle |
|
22 |
City of Coventry |
|
23 |
Newcastle United or Bromley |
|
24 |
everton |
|
25 |
Wycombe Wanderers |
|
26 |
City of Birmingham |
|
27 |
Leeds United |
|
28 |
Nottingham Forest |
|
29 |
Cardiff City |
|
30 |
Ipswich Town or Bristol Rovers |
|
31 |
Fulham |
|
32 |
Crystal Palace or Stockport County |
Although the exact dates of the fourth round matches will be finalized at a later date and once the draw is complete, the matches will be played over the weekend of February 8/9.
There will be 16 games up and down the country during round four as the clubs approach the final on Saturday 17 May.
