Which EFL sides landed the headline FA Cup Third Round Proper ties?

The 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup Third Round Proper draw has thrown up a host of mouth-watering fixtures for English Football League clubs, with several sides handed high-profile trips against Premier League opposition.

The third round also sees Championship sides enter the fray alongside the top-flight outfits, as a number of interesting ties have been made.

Portsmouth hosts Premier League leaders Arsenal, Barnsley faces the faltering champions Liverpool and Exeter City will get to test themselves against red-hot Manchester City.

Here’s everything you need to know for the next stage of the FA Cup.

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When will the third round proper take place?

The ties are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 10 January 2026, with exact dates and kick-off times to be confirmed once the FA finalises broadcast selections.

What’s at stake financially and competitively?

The rewards ramp up significantly at this stage of the competition.

Clubs who make it through to the Fourth Round Proper will pocket £121,500, a transformative figure for some sides dreaming of a money-spinning tie against Premier League opposition in the next round.

Even those who fall just short won’t leave empty-handed, with £26,500 awarded to third-round losers.

The draw in full

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Shrewsbury Town
Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town
Preston North End vs Wigan Athletic
Ipswich Town vs Blackpool
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea
Manchester City vs Exeter City
West Ham United vs Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday vs Brentford
Fulham vs Middlesbrough
Everton vs Sunderland
Liverpool vs Barnsley
Burnley vs Millwall
Norwich City vs Walsall
Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Derby County vs Leeds United
Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion
Salford City vs Swindon Town
Boreham Wood vs Brackley Town or Burton Albion
Grimsby Town vs Weston-super-Mare
Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers
Newcastle United vs AFC Bournemouth
Milton Keynes Dons vs Oxford United
Cheltenham Town vs Leicester City
Cambridge United vs Birmingham City
Bristol City vs Watford
Stoke City vs Coventry City
Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace

Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town

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