The FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round is set to bring drama, ambition and fresh underdog stories as 40 teams — all victors from the First Round — prepare to battle over 20 compelling ties.
The 2025-26 FA Cup features a total of 747 clubs — including hundreds of “non-league” teams from lower tiers of English football, plus professional clubs from the EFL and Premier League.
The First Round Proper — when clubs from EFL League One and League Two join — is scheduled for the weekend of 1 November 2025, with 124 clubs in contention at this stage.
Qualifying rounds kick off with the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday, 2 August 2025, followed by the Preliminary Round (16 August), and further qualifying rounds throughout August to October.
With lower-league clubs chasing giant-killing glory and others looking to build momentum, this stage of the Cup could shake up expectations and set the stage for an exciting winter of English football.
FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round Fixtures: All 20 Ties
Table of Contents
The tournament continues through Fourth Round, Fifth Round, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, culminating in the final, which will be played on Saturday, 16 May 2026 — with the winner lifting the trophy at Wembley Stadium.
The FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round draw took place on Monday, November 3, 2025, with the ties scheduled for early December.
Friday, December 5, 2025 – FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round
Salford City vs Leyton Orient
- Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
- Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
- Stadium: Moor Lane, Salford
- Status: Salford City are favorites after beating Lincoln City on penalties in the first round
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round
12 fixtures scheduled for 15:00 GMT (simultaneous kick-off):
- Accrington Stanley vs Mansfield Town
- Stadium: Crown Ground
- Tier: League Two vs League Two
- Chelmsford City vs Weston-super-Mare
- Stadium: Melbourne Stadium
- Tier: National League South vs National League South
- Note: Two of the lowest-ranked teams in the competition
- Cheltenham Town vs Buxton
- Stadium: Whaddon Road
- Tier: League Two vs National League North
- Note: Buxton are among the lowest-ranked teams
- Exeter City vs Wycombe Wanderers
- Stadium: St James Park
- Tier: League Two vs League Two
- Fleetwood Town vs Luton Town
- Stadium: Highbury Stadium
- Tier: League Two vs League One
- Note: Jack Wilshere’s Luton won an extraordinary 7-goal thriller against Forest Green Rovers 4-3 in the first round
- Grimsby Town vs Wealdstone
- Stadium: Blundell Park, Cleethorpes
- Tier: League Two vs National League
- Note: Grimsby handed a favorable tie against National League Wealdstone
- Milton Keynes Dons vs Oldham Athletic
- Stadium: Stadium MK
- Tier: League One vs League Two
- Peterborough United vs Barnsley
- Stadium: London Road Stadium
- Tier: League One vs League One
- Port Vale vs Bristol Rovers
- Stadium: Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent
- Tier: League Two vs League Two
- Stockport County vs Cambridge United
- Stadium: Edgeley Park
- Tier: League One vs League Two
- Note: Stockport County (League One leaders) handed a home tie; strong favorites
- Swindon Town vs Bolton Wanderers
- Stadium: County Ground
- Tier: League Two vs League Two
- Note: Two former Premier League teams face off
- Wigan Athletic vs Barrow
- Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
- Tier: League Two vs League Two
Saturday, December 6, 2025 (Later Slots)
Sutton United vs Shrewsbury Town
- Kick-off: 17:15 GMT
- Broadcast: BBC Two, iPlayer, and TNT Sports 2
- Stadium: Gander Green Lane
- Tier: National League vs League One
Chesterfield vs Doncaster Rovers
- Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
- Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
- Stadium: SMH Group Stadium
- Tier: League Two vs League Two
Sunday, December 7, 2025 – FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round
Slough Town vs Macclesfield
- Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
- Broadcast: TNT Sports 2 and discovery+
- Stadium: Arbour Park
- Tier: National League South vs National League North
- Note: Slough Town (the lowest-ranked team in the competition, 21st in National League South) is given home advantage against Macclesfield.
Boreham Wood vs Newport County
- Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
- Broadcast: BBC Two, iPlayer, and TNT Sports 1
- Stadium: Meadow Park
- Tier: National League vs League Two
Gateshead vs Walsall
- Kick-off: 15:30 GMT
- Broadcast: TNT Sports 2 and discovery+
- Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium
- Tier: National League vs League Two
Blackpool vs Carlisle United
- Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
- Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
- Stadium: Bloomfield Road
- Tier: League One vs League Two
Monday, December 8, 2025 – FA Cup 2025-26 Second Round
Brackley Town vs Burton Albion
- Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
- Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
- Stadium: St James Park
- Tier: National League vs League One
Second Round Overview and Context
40 Winners from First Round
The 40 teams in the Second Round breakdown by tier are as follows:
| League | Teams |
|---|---|
| League One | 14 teams |
| League Two | 15 teams |
| Non-League | 11 teams |
| Total | 40 teams |
Non-League Representatives:
- National League North (Tier 6): Buxton, Macclesfield
- National League South (Tier 6): Chelmsford City, Slough Town, Weston-super-Mare
- National League (Tier 5): Wealdstone, Sutton United, Boreham Wood, Gateshead, Brackley Town
- Total Non-League: 11 teams
Key Highlights
Standout Matches:
- Swindon Town vs Bolton Wanderers: Two former Premier League teams battle in the lower tiers
- Stockport County vs Cambridge United: League One leaders Stockport face League Two Cambridge
- Fleetwood Town vs Luton Town: Luton’s thrilling 7-goal first-round victory sets up an intriguing tie with League Two Fleetwood
- Grimsby Town vs Wealdstone: Grimsby handed a favorable draw after their Carabao Cup exit
Lowest-Ranked Team:
- Slough Town (National League South, 21st place), earning a home tie represents a reward for their first-round success
Broadcast Information
Television Coverage:
- 8 matches live on TNT Sports (with some simulcasts on BBC Two and iPlayer)
- 2 matches broadcast by the BBC
- 12 matches at 15:00 GMT Saturday (simultaneous kick-off to ensure fairness)
- Live television tie participants receive an additional £60,000 fee
Financial Structure
- Winners: £75,000 per tie
- Losers: £20,000 per tie
- Live TV Broadcast Bonus: Additional £60,000 for teams appearing on televised matches
Third Round Entry of FA Cup 2025-26
The 20 Second Round winners will join the remaining Premier League and Championship sides (44 clubs total) for the Third Round Proper on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This is when the competition becomes wide open, with all top-flight clubs entering the draw.
Overall Tournament Timeline
| Round | Date | Teams Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | November 1, 2025 | 40 winners advance |
| Second Round | December 6-8, 2025 | 20 winners advance |
| Third Round | January 10, 2026 | 32 teams (20 winners + 44 Premier/Championship) |
| Fourth Round | February 14, 2026 | 16 teams |
| Fifth Round | March 7, 2026 | 8 teams |
| Quarter-Final | April 4, 2026 | 4 teams |
| Semi-Final | April 25, 2026 | 2 teams |
| Final | May 16, 2026 | Champions crowned |
Standout First-Round Moments Leading to Second Round
Jack Wilshere’s Luton Masterclass:
Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town defeated Forest Green Rovers 4-3 in a thrilling first-round affair, earning them a Second Round trip to Fleetwood Town. The match showcased attacking excellence from the newly promoted League One club.
Leyton Orient’s Dramatic Survival:
Leyton Orient defeated Tamworth in the final First Round fixture, edging out the non-league side to secure their Second Round progression.
Salford City’s Penalty Heroics:
Salford City beat Lincoln City on penalties in their First Round tie, setting up a mouth-watering encounter against Leyton Orient in the Second Round.
Predictions and Favorites
Strong Contenders for Third Round:
- Stockport County: League One leaders with a favorable home draw against Cambridge United
- Luton Town: Already showing attacking prowess with a home tie against League Two Fleetwood
- Salford City: Penalty shootout experience against Leyton Orient
- Swindon Town & Bolton Wanderers: Former Premier League experience
Potential Upset Threats:
- Wycombe Wanderers: Championship credentials could threaten League Two Exeter City
- Sutton United: National League side capable of surprising League One Shrewsbury Town
- Non-League Teams: The 11 non-league sides represent potential David vs. Goliath stories, particularly Slough Town at home to Macclesfield
The FA Cup Second Round represents a critical stage where the competition narrows dramatically, with only the top 20 teams advancing before the Premier League and Championship sides enter in January 2026.
The mixture of league tiers—particularly the non-league teams still competing—ensures unpredictability and genuine drama across the December weekend.
