FA Cup first-round draw set for October 19 as Leicester, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday enter

The draw for the 2026/27 FA Cup first round proper is scheduled for Monday, October 19, with coverage beginning at 6:30pm and the draw itself getting underway five minutes later.

Presenter Matt Smith will host proceedings, joined by former Arsenal defender Martin Keown and ex-England international Fara Williams, who earned 172 caps for the Lionesses during her career.

The first-round draw is one of the most eagerly anticipated moments in the FA Cup calendar because it marks the point at which League One and League Two sides enter the competition. Among the 80 confirmed or potential ball numbers are some notable names — Leicester City, Reading, and Sheffield Wednesday are all in the draw, alongside a host of non-league clubs still to complete their qualifying ties.

A total of 40 fixtures will be produced from the draw, with each winning club collecting £47,750 in prize money.

The full list of confirmed ball numbers runs from Accrington Stanley and AFC Wimbledon through to Wycombe Wanderers and York City, with a further 25 spots occupied by clubs awaiting the outcome of qualifying-round replays. Those pending ties include Chorley or Worcester City, Hartlepool United or Marine, Altrincham or FC United of Manchester, and Carlisle United or Tamworth, among others.

The FA Cup remains the world’s oldest domestic cup competition, and the first round traditionally generates its share of upsets as lower-league sides target a run that could bring a lucrative tie against Premier League or Championship opposition in later rounds.