🏆 Major changes are coming to the FA Cup next season | OneFootball

Huge changes are coming to the FA Cup from next season onwards, with replays set to be scrapped from the first round proper onwards.

The news was confirmed by a Football Association statement on Thursday, in which a number of other changes to the competition’s format were also announced.

“From the first round proper, the competition will be played without replays,” read the statement.

“The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.”

Furthermore, the FA has confirmed that all rounds of the FA Cup will be played on weekends going forward, including the fifth round, which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.

The fourth and fifth rounds will also be played independently of Premier League fixtures for the first time, meaning Premier League fixtures will not be played on the same weekend as those rounds of the cup any longer.

And the FA Cup final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.

There will be no Premier League games taking place on the Friday before the final either, ensuring the showpiece event is given full focus, but it seems there will still be room for league matches to be played on the Sunday following the final.

Commenting on the changes, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “The FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.

“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.

“The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.

“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.”