FA Cup replays to be scrapped from next season as part of six-year deal with Premier League

FA Cup replays will be scrapped from next season as part of a new six-year agreement between the Football Association and the Premier League.

As part of the changes, driven partly by the expansion of UEFA competitions, fixtures will also be held exclusively on weekends.

It comes after The FA and TNT Sports agreed a new four-year broadcast deal for the Emirates FA Cup starting from the 2025/26 season.

The FA Cup has had no replays from the fifth round onwards but that has now been brought forward, given the ever-increasing calendar congestion.

In another first, the fourth and fifth rounds, plus the quarter-finals, will not clash with Premier League fixtures.

Matches will start in the middle of August, with League One and League Two teams entering at this stage before Championship and Premier League clubs join from the third round.

The final will take place on the penultimate weekend of next season's Premier League and will be given top billing.

It is to be played on a Saturday independent of any Premier League matches on the same day and on the Friday prior.

The Premier League has also agreed to invest an additional £33 million into the grassroots game as part of the agreement.

"The FA Cup is our biggest asset," FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said. "This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.

"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."

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