The third round of the FA Cup is widely regarded as the most exciting of the competition, with the Premier League giants often taking on opponents from lower leagues.
There were such duels in abundance in the 2024/25 season: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all met lower league opponents in the third round.
While promotion is expected for Premier League teams, reaching the fourth round can be a game-changer for the lower tiers of the English Football League – and occasionally beyond.
The fourth round draw is likely to give you goosebumps as the underdogs of the competition await their fate. Here you will find everything you need to know.
Although Millwall host Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday evening, the FA Cup fourth round draw takes place the day before. After the Arsenal v Man Utd game ends on Sunday afternoon, the remaining clubs will determine their opponents.
With the match between Arsenal and Man Utd starting at 3pm GMT, the FA Cup draw is expected to take place at around 5pm GMT – almost immediately after the end of the game. However, with the game potentially going into overtime and penalties, this estimated time frame could change.
Regardless of the outcome of the match, the draw will take place after the final kick at the Emirates Stadium.
Anyone wanting to follow the FA Cup fourth round draw is in luck. It will be broadcast live on BBC One following the game between Arsenal and Man Utd, hosted by presenter Kelly Somers. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown and former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will officiate the actual draw.
The draw can also be followed live on the FA Cup social media channels.
Ball number | Association |
|---|---|
1 | Southampton or Swansea City |
2 | Arsenal or Man Utd |
3 | Exeter City |
4 | Leyton Orient or Derby County |
5 | Burnley |
6 | Aston Villa |
7 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
8 | Manchester City |
9 | Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge |
10 | Liverpool |
11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
12 | Preston North End or Charlton Athletic |
13 | Chelsea |
14 | Blackburn Rovers |
15 | Bournemouth |
16 | Mansfield Town or Wigan Athletic |
17 | Tamworth or Tottenham Hotspur |
18 | Hull City or Doncaster Rovers |
19 | Stoke City |
20 | Leicester City |
21 | Plymouth Argyle |
22 | Coventry City |
23 | Newcastle United or Bromley |
24 | Everton |
25 | Wycombe Wanderers |
26 | Birmingham city |
27 | Leeds United |
28 | Nottingham Forest |
29 | Cardiff city |
30 | Ipswich Town or Bristol Rovers |
31 | Fulham |
32 | Crystal Palace or Stockport County |
While the exact dates of the fourth round matches will be determined at a later date and once the draw is completed, the matches will be played on the weekend 8/9 February.
The fourth round will see 16 games played across the country as clubs move closer to the final on Saturday May 17th.