FA Cup Draw 2026: Fourth Qualifying Round Ties, Dates and Prize Money
October 5, 2026Key Stats and Takeaways
- The FA Cup draw for the fourth qualifying round took place on Monday 5 October 2026, live on talkSPORT.
- The ties kick off on Saturday 17 October 2026.
- 24 National League clubs enter this round and join 40 winners from the third qualifying round.
- Winners collect £9,375, and losing clubs still bank £3,125.
- The first round proper follows on Saturday 7 November 2026, and the final lands on 22 May 2027.
Hey mate, grab a brew and settle in. The FA Cup draw just dropped, and non-league fans are buzzing already. This stage always feels special. Big names from the National League finally arrive, and everyone dreams of a Football League scalp. So let’s break down what happened.
Why the FA Cup Draw Matters This Week
Plenty of people only watch the FA Cup when the Premier League clubs show up in January. That’s a shame. The qualifying rounds hold the real magic, because tiny clubs chase a first-round spot against League One and League Two sides.
What happened in the FA Cup draw
The Football Association confirmed that the FA Cup draw would take place on Monday 5 October 2026 at about 2pm BST. The FA announced that Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs would pull the balls live on talkSPORT. Ben Fletcher hosted the show.
The draw splits into north and south sections. As a result, clubs avoid long trips across the country. That’s good news for fans who fancy a cheap away day.
Who joins the FA Cup draw now
This is the round where National League clubs finally enter the competition. Up to now, they’ve sat out while lower-league sides battled through the early rounds. Their arrival adds extra quality and extra drama.
These sides face the 40 winners from the third qualifying round. Consequently, you get a fun mix of full-time and part-time players. Expect plenty of upsets.
FA Cup Draw Stats You Should Know
I love a good number, so here’s the quick maths. The numbers show how huge this competition really is.
FA Cup draw numbers: 24, 40, 32 and 64
The FA Cup draw pairs 24 new National League entrants with 40 third-qualifying-round winners. That gives us 64 clubs and 32 ties. Every winner moves one step closer to the first round proper.
The journey started way back on Saturday 8 August 2026. The extra preliminary round featured 219 ties. Then the preliminary round followed with 136 fixtures. So some clubs have already played four rounds just to reach this point.
Prize money after the FA Cup draw
Money matters at this level. Each winner in the fourth qualifying round pockets £9,375. Meanwhile, losing clubs still take home £3,125. For a part-time club, that cash can cover a big chunk of the season’s travel costs.
Winning also keeps the dream alive. In the first round proper, League One and League Two clubs join the party. Last season, first-round winners earned £45,000. The FA may adjust this figure, so check the official prize fund list.
Notable Ties from the FA Cup Draw
Every FA Cup draw throws up a few fixtures that catch the eye. Here are some talking points from this year’s balls and the build-up.
Kidderminster Harriers v Solihull Moors in the FA Cup draw
The Harriers were in the hat, and they landed a home tie. The club confirmed that Solihull Moors will visit on the weekend of 17 October. Home advantage matters in cup football. Therefore, Kidderminster fans will feel quietly confident.
Both sides know each other well, so there won’t be any surprises. Still, cup ties rarely follow the form book.
Third qualifying round drama before the FA Cup draw
The build-up gave us some great stories. Brentwood Town beat Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 in front of 1,600 fans. The BBC even showed that game live. Dagenham play a level higher, so that result stung.
Elsewhere, Trafford drew 2-2 with Atherton Collieries. Trafford sit in tier nine, which makes them one of the lowest-ranked clubs left. Before that round, only five tier nine sides remained. Those little clubs prove why the cup never gets boring.
What Comes After the FA Cup Draw
The fun doesn’t stop once the balls stop rolling. In fact, the next few months bring the best part of the competition. Football in Berkshire shared the full round schedule, and the dates are below.
FA Cup draw dates to save
- Fourth round qualifying: Saturday 17 October 2026
- First round proper: Saturday 7 November 2026
- Second round proper: Saturday 5 December 2026
- Third round proper: Saturday 9 January 2027
- Fourth round proper: Saturday 13 February 2027
- Fifth round proper: Saturday 6 March 2027
- Quarter-finals: Saturday 3 April 2027
- Semi-finals: Saturday 24 April 2027
- Final: Saturday 22 May 2027
Notice how the Premier League giants arrive in the third round. That’s when the glamour ties begin. However, the early rounds give us the underdog stories we all love.
Final Thoughts on the FA Cup Draw
So there you have it, my friend. The FA Cup draw has set up 32 tasty ties, and every club now dreams big. Kidderminster have a home date with Solihull, and other non-league sides chase giant-killing glory.
Mark 17 October in your diary. Then grab a mate, find a local ground, and enjoy proper cup football. After all, nothing beats a muddy pitch and a last-minute winner.
