2025/26 SEASON: FA Cup + FA Youth Cup Dates Confirmed

The round dates for the Emirates FA Cup and FA Youth Cup in the 2025/26 season have been confirmed by the Football Association.

Football fans across the world will now be able to add the dates to their calendars, from the preliminary rounds in the early stages of the season, right through to the Final next May.

In the Emirates FA Cup, the action kicks-off on across the weekend of Saturday 2nd August with the extra preliminary round taking place - and the 2025/26 Final at Wembley Stadium will be played on Saturday 16th May 2026.

In the FA Youth Cup, the preliminary rounds will begin in the week commencing Monday 1st September before the competition proper will start with the first round from Saturday 1st November.

Derby County will enter both the Emirates FA Cup and FA Youth Cup at the Third Round stage during the 2025/26 campaign.

Emirates FA Cup - 2025/26 Season Round Dates

Extra Preliminary Round: Saturday 2nd August 2025

Preliminary Round: Saturday 16th August 2025

First Round Qualifying: Saturday 30th August 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Saturday 13th September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Saturday 27th September 2025

Fourth Round Qualifying: Saturday 11th October 2025

First Round Proper: Saturday 1st November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 6th December 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 10th January 2026

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 14th February 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7th March 2026

Quarter Final: Saturday 4th April 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 25th April 2026

The Final: Saturday 16th May 2026

Youth Cup - 2025/26 Season Proposed Round Dates

Qualifying Competition - Ties to be played in the week commencing:

Preliminary Round: Monday 1st September 2025

First Round Qualifying: Monday 15th September 2025

Second Round Qualifying: Monday 29th September 2025

Third Round Qualifying: Monday 13th October 2025

Competition Proper - Ties to be played by the following closing date:

First Round Proper: Saturday 1st November 2025

Second Round Proper: Saturday 22nd November 2025

Third Round Proper: Saturday 13th December 2025

Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 24th January 2026

Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 21st February 2026

Sixth Round Proper: Saturday 14th March 2026

Semi-Final: Saturday 11th April 2026

The Final: Saturday 9th May 2026