The magic of the FA Cup is usually about the goals, but let's be real: for most fans, it’s actually about that velvet bag. There is something uniquely stressful about watching a retired striker fumble around with plastic balls while your team’s season hangs in the balance. If you're wondering when is the 5th round draw for the FA Cup, you aren't alone. With the 2025-26 schedule feeling a bit more spread out this year, the timing is a frequent point of confusion.
Honestly, the FA loves to keep us on our toes. While the Fourth Round matches are the immediate focus for January and February, the road to Wembley starts getting very serious once we hit the final sixteen.
When is the 5th round draw for the FA Cup?
The draw for the fifth round of the 2025-26 Emirates FA Cup is expected to take place in mid-February 2026.
To be more specific, looking at the official FA schedule, the Fourth Round Proper is slated for the weekend of Saturday, February 14, 2026. Traditionally, the FA conducts the draw for the following round on the Monday immediately following the primary weekend of fixtures. This puts the likely date for the fifth round draw on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Now, keep in mind that the FA often likes to squeeze the draw into a pre-match or post-match slot of a televised game. If there’s a big "Monday Night Football" cup clash, expect the balls to start rolling around 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM GMT.
Where can you actually watch it?
You've got a few options here. Typically, the draw is broadcast live on:
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- BBC One (usually during The One Show or as part of their match coverage).
- ITV1 or ITV4.
- The official FA Cup social media channels (Twitter/X and Facebook).
It's usually a quick affair. Ten minutes of preamble, a few awkward jokes from the presenters, and then the home and away ties are set.
The 2026 FA Cup Calendar: Key Dates
Football schedules are a bit of a nightmare lately with the expanded European competitions. The FA Cup has had to shift slightly to breathe. If you're planning your life around these games, here’s the roadmap for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Fourth Round Proper: Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Fifth Round Proper: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (or the weekend of March 7, depending on TV scheduling).
Quarter-Finals: Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Semi-Finals: Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The Final: Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Wait, notice anything weird there?
The fifth round has historically been a midweek fixture in recent years to alleviate the "fixture pile-up" everyone complains about. For the 2025-26 season, the official "main date" is listed as Saturday, March 7, but don't be shocked if those games get scattered across a Tuesday and Wednesday night. It’s better for TV ratings, even if it’s a pain for away fans trying to get a train home at midnight.
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What about the Women’s FA Cup?
Don't get the two mixed up! The Adobe Women’s FA Cup is on a totally different timeline. Their fifth round draw is actually happening much sooner—Monday, January 19, 2026. If you're searching for "when is the 5th round draw for the FA Cup" right now in January, you might be seeing results for the women's competition.
That draw is set for 7:00 PM GMT and will be streamed on the official Women's FA Cup YouTube channel. The actual matches for the women's fifth round are scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Why the 5th Round is the "Make or Break" Stage
By the time the fifth round rolls around, the "David vs. Goliath" narratives have usually settled. You've got 16 teams left. Usually, this is where the Premier League giants start smelling blood.
But 2026 has already been weird. We’ve seen Macclesfield—the National League North side managed by John Rooney—stun the world by knocking out Crystal Palace earlier in the tournament. When a non-league or lower-league side makes it to the fifth round, the draw becomes a national event. Do they get the "dream" trip to Anfield or the Etihad? Or do they get a grueling away day at a fellow underdog?
That’s why people care so much about the draw timing. It’s the difference between a massive financial windfall for a small club and a quiet exit.
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Ball Numbers and How it Works
We won't know the exact ball numbers for the men's 5th round draw until the 4th round matches are mostly finished. The FA usually releases these on the Sunday evening before the Monday draw.
Basically, they are assigned alphabetically based on the winners of the previous ties. If a game goes to a replay (though replays are increasingly rare/non-existent in later rounds now), the ball will represent "Winner of Match X or Match Y."
How to stay updated on the draw
If you don't want to sit through a whole TV broadcast, the fastest way to get the results is usually the BBC Sport app or following the @EmiratesFACup account on X. They post the ties literally as they are drawn.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the TV Listings: Around February 13, check the BBC and ITV schedules. They’ll announce exactly which channel is hosting the draw.
- Sync Your Calendar: If you're a season ticket holder, keep March 4–7 clear. If your team draws a big "Big Six" club away, tickets will vanish in minutes.
- Watch the Underdogs: Keep an eye on Macclesfield or Wrexham. If they survive the fourth round, their ball is the one everyone will be watching for in the 5th round draw.
The road to Wembley in 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in years. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or a neutral hoping for a giant-killing, the fifth round draw is the moment the tournament really catches fire. Clear your schedule for mid-February.